Constitution: administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970
Legal system: British and local statutes
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6
February 1952); the UK and New Zealand are represented by
Administrator Lindsay WATT (since NA March 1993)
head of government: Aliki Faipule FALIMATEAO (since NA 1997)
cabinet: the Council of Faipule, consisting of three elected leaders, one from each atoll; functions as a cabinet
elections: none; 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
Legislative branch: unicameral General Fono (45 seats - 15 from each
of the three atolls; members chosen by each atoll's Council of
Elders or Taupulega to serve three-year terms); note - the Tokelau
Amendment Act of 1996 confers legislative power on the General Fono
Judicial branch: Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau
Political parties and leaders: none