Legal System of Tokelau
Tokelau is located in Australia Oceania. It is geographically situated in oceania, group of three atolls in the south pacific ocean, about one-half of the way from hawaii to new zealand. The country achieved independence on none (territory of new zealand).
Government Overview
Government Type:
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Chief of State: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy KIRO (since 21 September 2021); New Zealand is represented by Administrator Don HIGGINS (since June 2022) Head of Government: (Ulu o Tokelau) Esera Fofō Filipo Tuisano TUISANO (since 17 March 2025) Cabinet: Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau (or Tokelau Council) functions as a cabinet; consists of 3 village leaders (Faipule) and 3 village mayors (Pulenuku) National Holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) Suffrage: 21 years of age; universalLegal System
The legal system of Tokelau is described as common law system of New Zealand
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: many previous; latest effective 1 January 1949 (Tokelau Act 1948 of New Zealand) Amendment Process: proposed as a resolution by the General Fono; passage requires support by each village and approval by the General Fono
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Court of Appeal (in New Zealand) (consists of the court president and 8 judges sitting in 3- or 5-judge panels, depending on the case) Judge Selection: judges nominated by the Judicial Selection Committee and approved by three-quarters majority of the Parliament; judges serve for life Subordinate Courts: High Court (in New Zealand); Council of Elders or Taupulega
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of unicameral
Citizenship and Suffrage
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Historical Background
Tokelau is composed of three atolls (Fakaofo, Atafu, and Nukunonu), and it was first settled by Polynesians around A.D. 1000. The atolls operated relatively independently, but Fakaofo Atoll eventually subjugated the others. British explorers first saw the atolls in 1765 and 1791. Catholic and Protestant missionaries arrived in the 1840s and converted the population on the islands on which they landed.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Tokelau based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.