Tokelau
 

22 Jun 1889 - 1 May 1937 1 May 1937 - 1 Jan 1949 1 Jan 1949 - 21 Oct 2009 1989 - 21 Oct 2009 Unofficial Flag Adopted 21 Oct 2009 Map of Tokelau Hear National Anthem  "God Save the King" ("God Save the Queen" 1837-1901, 1952-2022) Hear Local Anthem "Viki o Tokelau" (Anthem of Tokelau) Adopted 24/25 Feb 2012 Tokelau Islands Act (1 Jan 1949) --------------------------- Draft Constitution (21 Nov 2005) Capital: Fakaofo (officially None, each atoll has its own administrative center) (Fakaofu 1926-1946) Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)  National Holiday: 6 Feb (1840) Waitangi Day ---------------------------------- Local Holiday: 3 Sep (1983) Tokehega Day Population: 1,881 (2023) GDP: $10.3 million (2020) Exports: $61.3 million (2017) Imports: $50.5 million (2017)  Ethnic groups: Tokelauan 64.5%, part Tokelauan/Samoan 9.7%, part Tokelauan/Tuvaluan 2.8%, Tuvaluan 7.5%, Samoan 5.8%, other Pacific Islander 3.4%, other 5.6%, unspecified 0.8% (2016) Total Police Force: 9 (2013) Defense is the Responsibility of New Zealand Merchant marine: None (2023)  Religions: Congregational Christian Church 50.4%, Roman Catholic 38.7%, Presbyterian 5.9%, other Christian 4.2%, unspecified 0.8% (2016) International Organizations/Treaties: FAO (associate), PC, PIDF, PIF (associate), UNESCO (associate), UNFCC, UNFCC-PA, UPU, WHO (associate)  Tokelau Index Chronology bf.1600             Fakaofo (the senior polity) founded; Nukunonu and                        Atafu become independent after c.1863. 21 Jun 1765         Atafu, then uninhabited, visited by U.K. Commodore John                       Byron on HMS Dolphin and is named Duke of York's Island. 12 Jun 1791         Nukunonu visited by U.K. Capt. Edward Edwards on HMS                       Pandora and is named Duke of Clarence Island. 14 Feb 1839         Fakaofo's South Island visited by U.S. Capt. Stephen R.                       Crocker on General Jackson and is named DeWolf Island                       (for the owners of the ship, William and James DeWolf). 28 Jan 1841         Fakaofo visited by the U.S. Commander William Levereth                       Hudson on USS Peacock and is named Bowditch Island                       (for navigator Nathaniel Bowditch [b. 1773 - d. 1838]). 12 Feb 1863         Peruvian slavers kidnapped half the population of Fakaofo. 22 Jun 1889         British protectorate declared (on Fakaofo 20 Jun 1889, on                       Nukunonu 21 Jun 1889 and Atafu 22 Jun 1889) by Commander                       Cecil Frederick Oldham (b. 1852 - d. 1937) aboard the                       HMS Egeria (Union Islands or Union Group). 22 Jun 1889 - 1948  Part of the British Western Pacific Territories (to 31 Dec                       1948). 15 May 1916         Union Islands (Tokelau Islands) annexed to the Gilbert                        and Ellice Islands (see Kiribati)(administration carried                       out by the District officer at Funafuti who was                       responsible to the Resident Commissioner of the Gilbert                       and Ellice Islands based in Tarawa)(by order of 29 Feb                       1916). 11 Feb 1926         Separated from the Gilbert and Ellice Islands; Governor-                       general of New Zealand made the Governor of Tokelau                       (by order of 4 Nov 1925).  8 Mar 1926         Powers of the Governor delegated to the Administrator                       (from 10 Mar 1948, High Commissioner) of Western Samoa.  7 May 1946         Renamed Tokelau Islands (and Fakaofu is re-spelled Fakaofo                       and Nukunono re-spelled Nukunonu).  1 Jan 1949         Incorporated into New Zealand (governor-general ceases                       to be governor of Tokelau).  1 Jan 1962 - 1972  High Commissioner for New Zealand in Western Samoa made                       Administrator of Tokelau.  1 Jan 1972 - 1975  Tokelau placed under administration of the Secretary for                       Maori and Island Affairs.  1 Dec 1975 - 1980  Tokelau administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,                       the Secretary of Foreign Affairs becomes administrator.  9 Dec 1976         Renamed Tokelau. 25 Sep 1980         Office of Administrator separated from that of Secretary                       of Foreign Affairs (from 23 Feb 1987 the Administrator's                       powers delegated to the Official Secretary).  2 Dec 1980         U.S. waives claims to Atafu, Fakaofo, and Nukunonu Atolls;                       and U.S.-Tokelau border defined by Treaty of Tokehega                       (ratified 3 Sep 1983).  1 Oct 1993         Office of Administrator redefined, authorized to delegate                       powers to General Fono ([from Jan 2004 Council for the                       Ongoing Government] from 27 Jan 1994, all powers                       delegated to General Fono and Council of Faipule; the                       office of Official Secretary is abolished).  1 Aug 1996         General Fono (Fono Fakamua) is given power to make rules                       for Tokelau (which may be disallowed by administrator). 30 Jun 2001         Considered "self-governing" (separate Tokelau Public                       Service Commissioner established). 13-15 Feb 2006      Referendum on self-government status in free association                       with New Zealand fails (349 yes to 232, short of the                       the 2/3 required for approval). 22-24 Oct 2007      Referendum on self-government status in free association                       with New Zealand fails again (446 yes to 246 no, falling                       16 votes short of the 2/3 required). Tokelau (since 1926) Fakaofo Nukunonu Atafu

Fakaofo

Rulers (title Aliki)
.... - ....                Letaiolo
.... - ....                Poufau
1841?                      Taupe
1846 - 1852?               Havaiki I
1858?                      Lika
1871?                      Longotahi
18.. - May 1881            Vaopuka
1881 - 1890                Te Taulu
1892?                      Tavita Te Fuli
1902 - 29 Feb 1916         Ielemia Havaiki II 
Faipule o Fakaofo (Chief Heads of Council)
1916 - 1987                ....
Jan 1987 - Jan 1993        Peniuto Semisi
Jan 1993 - Jan 1996        Keli Neemia                     (b. 1941?)
Jan 1996 - Jan 1999        Falima Teao                     (b. 1945)
Jan 1999 - Jan 2008        Ionatana Kolouei O'Brien        (b. 1939 - d. 2015)
Jan 2008 - 2014            Foua Toloa                      (b. 1955 - d. 2015)
2014 - Feb 2020            Afega Gaualofa
Feb 2020 -                 Fofo (Filipo) Esera Tuisano

Rulers (title Aliki)
.... - ....                Sunga
.... - ....                Kakaia
.... - ....                Ngala
.... - ....                Ulua
.... - ....                Falevai
.... - 29 Feb 1916         Takua 
Faipule o Nukunonu (Chief Heads of Council)
1916 - 1990                ....
Jan 1990 - Jan 1996        Salesio Lui (1st time)          (b. 1951?)
Jan 1996 - Jan 2011        Pio Tuia                        (b. 1943?)
Jan 2011 - 2014            Salesio Lui (2nd time)          (s.a.)
2014 - 2023                Siopili Perez  
2023 -                     Alapati Tavite   

Rulers (title Aliki)
.... - ....                Toniua
.... - ....                Foli
.... - ....                Tongia
.... - ....                Fafie
.... - 29 Feb 1916         Tuilaka 
Faipule o Atafu (Chief Heads of Council)
1916 - 1987                ....
Jan 1987 - Jan 1993        Kuresa Nasau (1st time)            (b. 1943 - d. 2022)
Jan 1993 - Jan 1996        Lepaio Simi                        (b. 1947?)
Jan 1996 - 2003            Kuresa Nasau (2nd time)            (s.a.)
2003 - 2005                Patuki Isaako
2004 - 2005                Kelihiano (Kerisiano) Kalolo       (b. 1946)
                             (acting for Isaako)
2005 - Jan 2011            Kuresa Nasau (3rd time)            (s.a.)
Jan 2011 - 2014            Kelihiano (Kerisiano) Kalolo       (s.a.)
                             (1st time)
2014 - Feb 2017            Kuresa Nasau (4th time)            (s.a.)
Feb 2017 -                 Kelihiano (Kerisiano) Kalolo       (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)

Tokelau

Governors (in Wellington)
11 Feb 1926 -  1 Jan 1949  the Governors-general of New Zealand
Administrators (in Apia to 31 Dec 1971, then in Wellington)
 8 Mar 1926 - 31 Dec 1961  the Administrators (from 10 Mar 1948,
                           High Commissioners) of Western Samoa
 1 Jan 1962 - Jun 1965     John Bird Wright                   (b. 1909 - d. 1990)
Jun 1965 - May 1968        Owston Paul Gabites                (b. 1913 - d. 1993)
May 1968 - 31 Dec 1971     Richard Basil Taylor               (b. 1920 - d. 2000)
 1 Jan 1972 -  8 Dec 1972  Duncan MacIntyre                   (b. 1915 - d. 2001)
 8 Dec 1972 - 1973         Matiu Rata                         (b. 1934 - d. 1997)
1973 - 30 Nov 1975         William Gray Thorp                 (b. 1922 - d. 1998)
 1 Dec 1975 - 31 Jan 1985  Frank Henry Corner                 (b. 1920 - d. 2014)
 1 Feb 1985 - 31 Jan 1988  Harold Huyton Francis              (b. 1928 - d. 2016)
 1 Feb 1988 - Jul 1990     Neil Douglas Walter (1st time)     (b. 1942)
Jul 1990 - Jan 1992        Graham Keith Ansell                (b. 1931)
Jan 1992 - 28 Feb 1993     Brian William Peter Absolum        (b. 1938 - d. 2018)
 1 Mar 1993 - 28 Feb 2003  Lindsay Johnstone Watt             (b. 1939)
 1 Mar 2003 - 17 Oct 2006  Neil Douglas Walter (2nd time)     (s.a.)
17 Oct 2006 - 2009         David Bruce Payton                 (b. 1952)
2009 - 31 Jan 2011         John Allen (acting)                (b. 1961)
 1 Feb 2011 - 2015         Jonathan Kings (1st time)          (b. 1961)
2015 - 2016                Linda Te Puni (f)(acting to 2016)
17 Jan 2017 -  7 Aug 2017  David Campbell Nicholson         
 7 Aug 2017 - 30 Aug 2017  Brook Barrington (acting)          (b. 1965)
30 Aug 2017 - May 2018     Jonathan Kings (2nd time)          (s.a.)
May 2018 - 2022            Ross Ardern                        (b. 1954)
2022 -                     Don Higgins

Heads of Tokelau (Ulu o Tokelau)
Jan 1993 - Jan 1994        Salesio Lui (1st time)             (b. 1951?)
Jan 1994 - Jan 1995        Keli Neemia                        (b. 1941?)
Jan 1995 - Jan 1996        Lepaio Simi                        (b. 1947?)
Jan 1996 - Jan 1997        Pio Tuia (1st time)                (b. 1943?)
Jan 1997 - Jan 1998        Falima Teao                        (b. 1931?)
Jan 1998 - Jan 1999        Kuresa Nasau (1st time)            (b. 1943 - d. 2022)
Jan 1999 - Jan 2000        Pio Tuia (2nd time)                (s.a.)
Jan 2000 - Jan 2001        Ionatana Kolouei O'Brien (1st time)(b. 1939 - d. 2015)
Jan 2001 - Feb 2002        Kuresa Nasau (2nd time)            (s.a.)
Feb 2002 - Jan 2003        Pio Tuia (3rd time)                (s.a.)
Jan 2003 - Jan 2004        Ionatana Kolouei O'Brien (2nd time)(s.a.)
Jan 2004 - Jan 2005        Patuki Isaako 
2004 - 2005                Pio Tuia (acting for Isaako)       (s.a.)
Jan 2005 - 15 Feb 2006     Pio Tuia (4th time)                (s.a.)
15 Feb 2006 - 27 Feb 2007  Ionatana Kolouei O'Brien (3rd time)(s.a.)
27 Feb 2007 - 23 Feb 2008  Kuresa Nasau (3rd time)            (s.a.)
23 Feb 2008 - 21 Feb 2009  Pio Tuia (5th time)                (s.a.)
21 Feb 2009 - 23 Mar 2010  Foua Toloa (1st time)              (b. 1955 - d. 2015)
23 Mar 2010 - 11 Mar 2011  Kuresa Nasau (4th time)            (s.a.)
11 Mar 2011 - 24 Feb 2012  Foua Toloa (2nd time)              (s.a.)
24 Feb 2012 -  1 Mar 2013  Kelihiano (Kerisiano) Kalolo       (b. 1946)
                             (1st time)
 1 Mar 2013 - 24 Feb 2014  Salesio Lui (2nd time)             (s.a.)
24 Feb 2014 - 23 Feb 2015  Kuresa Nasau (5th time)            (s.a.)
23 Feb 2015 - 10 Mar 2016  Siopili Perez (1st time)
10 Mar 2016 -  6 Mar 2017  Afega Gaualofa (1st time)
 6 Mar 2017 -  5 Mar 2018  Siopili Perez (2nd time)
 5 Mar 2018 - 12 Mar 2019  Afega Gaualofa (2nd time)
12 Mar 2019 -  9 Mar 2020  Kelihiano (Kerisiano) Kalolo       (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
 9 Mar 2020 -  8 Mar 2021  Fofo (Filipo) Esera Tuisano
 8 Mar 2021 - 19 May 2022  Kelihiano (Kerisiano) Kalolo       (s.a.)
                             (3rd time)
19 May 2022 -  6 Mar 2023  Siopili Perez (3rd time)
 6 Mar 2023 - 12 Mar 2024  Kelihiano Kalolo (4th time)        (s.a.)
12 Mar 2024 -              Alapati Tavite

No Political Parties Exist

International Dispute: Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island among the islands listed in its 2006 draft constitution; Swains Island has been administered by American Samoa since 1925; the 1980 Treaty of Tokehega delineates the maritime boundary between American Samoa and Tokelau; while not specifically mentioning Swains Island, the treaty notes in its preamble that New Zealand does not claim as part of Tokelau any island administered as part of American Samoa.