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| Country name: |
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Tokelau
|
| Dependency status: |
territory of New Zealand; note - Tokelauans are drafting a constitution, developing institutions and patterns of self-government as Tokelau moves toward free association with Wellington
|
| Capital: |
none; each atoll has its own administrative center
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| Administrative divisions: |
none (territory of New Zealand)
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| Independence: |
none (territory of New Zealand)
|
| National holiday: |
Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)
|
| Constitution: |
administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970
|
| Legal system: |
British and local statutes
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| Suffrage: |
21 years of age; universal
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| 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
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| Political parties and leaders: |
none
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| Political pressure groups and leaders: |
none
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| International organization participation: |
SPC, WHO (associate)
|
| Diplomatic representation in the US: |
none (territory of New Zealand)
|
| Diplomatic representation from the US: |
none (territory of New Zealand)
|
| Flag description: |
the flag of New Zealand is used
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