Oceania > Tokelau > Government

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Administrative divisions none (territory of New Zealand)
Capital city none; each atoll has its own administrative center
Constitution administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948; amended in 1970
Executive branch > Cabinet the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, consisting of three Faipule (village leaders) and three Pulenuku (village mayors), functions as a cabinet
Executive branch > Chief of state Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006); New Zealand is represented by Administrator David PAYTON (since 17 October 2006)
Executive branch > Elections the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term
Executive branch > Head of government Kolouei O'BRIEN (2006); note - position rotates annually among the three Faipule (village leaders)
Flag description the flag of New Zealand is used
Independence none (territory of New Zealand)
International organization participation PIF (observer), SPC, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Judicial branch Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau
Legal system New Zealand and local statutes
Legislative branch unicameral General Fono (20 seats; based upon proportional representation from the three islands elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; Atafu has seven seats, Fakaofo has seven seats, Nukunonu has six seats); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers limited legislative power on the General Fono
Legislative branch > Elections last held 17-19 January 2008 (next to be held in 2011)
National holiday Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February
Political parties and leaders	none
Political pressure groups and leaders	none
Status democracy
Suffrage 21 years of age; universal
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island (Olohega) in its 2006 draft constitution

Interesting facts on Tokelauan Government

• Nauru, Tokelau and Western Sahara are the only three countries without official capital cities.

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