The politics of Tokelau takes place within a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic dependency. The head of state of Tokelau is Queen Elizabeth II in right of her Realm of New Zealand, who is represented by an Administrator. The monarch is hereditary, the Administrator is appointed by the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Tokelau self-determination referendum of 2006, supervised by the United Nations, was held from February 11 to February 15, 2006. The defeated proposal would have changed Tokelau's status from an unincorporated New Zealand territory to a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, akin to the Cook Islands and Niue.
The office of head of government of Tokelau (Ulu-o-Tokelau), often simply called the Ulu, rotates yearly between the faipule (leaders) of Tokelau's three atolls - Atafu, Fakaofo, and Nukunonu. The current Ulu is Afega Gaualofa, the Faipule of Fakaofo atoll, who has held the position since March 2018.
Kuresa Nasau is a Tokelauan politician who has served as head of government seven times. He is also faipule of Atafu. Many feel his success as leader of Tokelau is attributed to his religious background and lack of candidates running for Head of Government of Tokelau
Cyclone Percy was the seventh named storm of the 2004–05 South Pacific cyclone season and the fourth and final severe tropical cyclone to form during the 2004–05 South Pacific cyclone season.
The Roman Catholic Mission Sui Iuris of Tokelau in Tokelau is a suffragan mission of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia. The Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia and Tokelau was split in 1992 into the Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia and the Mission Sui Iuris of Tokelau. The current Ecclesiastical Superior is Rev. Oliver P. Aro, MSP, appointed 6 May 2011.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Tokelau:
Falima Teao was the ulu, or head of government, of Tokelau from February 1997 to February 1998. He was also the faipule, or chief head of council, of the atoll of Fakaofo from January 1996 to January 1999. The position of ulu of Tokelau rotates annually between the three faipule, who are elected for terms lasting three years.
Tui Tokelau is a god worshipped in Tokelau in the Pacific. Before the arrival of Christianity in the islands, Tui Tokelau was the primary god along with the usual pantheon of Polynesian gods. The marae of the village of Fakaofo on Fakaofo atoll was the location of a house that contained a monumental coral slab personifying Tui Tokelau, which was covered with beautiful mats. The principal chief (ariki) was the chief priest. During the month of May, all the people of the islands of Tokelau assembled at Fakaofo, and prepared a feast, and prayed to Tui Tokelau to protect them. This ceremony represented the new year. The ceremonial proceedings during May included offerings of fish, coconuts and pandanus drupes. A fire was lit in the temple, and the people danced during the night.
Foua Toloa was a Tokelauan politician who served as the Head of the Government of Tokelau, or Ulu, from 21 February 2009, to 21 February 2010. He was a member of the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, and was a faipule on Fakaofo. As the office of Ulu rotates on an annual basis, Toloa resumed office on 21 February 2011. For a time in 2011-2012, he was also Tokelau's minister for Finance, Telecommunication, Energy and Transport. He died in California in 2015.
Tinielu Tuumuli is a politician from Tokelau. He is a member of the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, and is a pulenuku on Fakaofo.
The Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau is an executive council in Tokelau. It serves as the governing organization for Tokelau when the General Fono is not in session. The council has six members, consisting of the faipule (leader) and pulenuku of each of the three atolls, Fakaofo, Nukunonu, and Atafu. It was established in November 2003, replacing the Council of Faipule, which had been established in 1993 and had three members – the three faipule.
Tokelau has two official languages: Tokelauan and English. Over 90% of the population speaks Tokelauan, and just under 60% speak English. Also, 45.8% of the population speak Samoan, and small percentages of the population speak Tuvaluan and Kiribati.
The following is an alphabetical list of articles related to Tokelau.
Internet in Tokelau is provided by Teletok, the government-owned communications corporation, and Taloha Inc., a private company formed by the Dutch Joost Zuurbier.
The vast majority of people in Tokelau are Christians and Christianity plays a significant role in the Tokelauan way of life.
Smoking in Tokelau is prevalent, with ethnic Tokelauans having the highest smoking prevalence of all Pacific ethnicities. In the 2011 Tokelau Census, 47.8% of people aged over 15 were found to be regular cigarette smokers.
Afega Gaualofa is a Tokelauan politician. He served as Head of Government of Tokelau from 8 March 2016 to 6 March 2017 and is Faipule (leader) of Fakaofo atoll.
