Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925. Referenda held in 2006 and 2007 to change the status of the islands from that of a New Zealand territory to one of free association with New Zealand did not meet the needed threshold for approval.

Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)

low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons

lies in Pacific typhoon belt

limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand

consists of three atolls (Atafu, Fakaofo, Nukunonu), each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over 3 m above sea level

1,384 (July 2011 est.)

rural: 97% of population

total: 97% of population

rural: 3% of population

total: 3% of population (2008)

rural: 93% of population

total: 93% of population

rural: 7% of population

total: 7% of population (2008)

Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2%

Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English

self-administering territory of New Zealand; note - Tokelau and New Zealand have agreed to a draft constitution as Tokelau moves toward free association with New Zealand; a UN-sponsored referendum on self governance in October 2007 did not produce the two-thirds majority vote necessary for changing the political status

none; each atoll has its own administrative center

none (territory of New Zealand)

Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)

administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948; amended in 1970

common law system of New Zealand

21 years of age; universal

unicameral General Fono (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms based upon proportional representation from the three islands - Atafu has 7 seats, Fakaofo has 7 seats, Nukunonu has 6 seats); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers limited legislative power to the General Fono

Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau

PIF (observer), SPC, UNESCO (associate), UPU

none (territory of New Zealand)

a yellow stylized Tokelauan canoe on a dark blue field sails toward the manu - the Southern Cross constellation of four, white, five-pointed stars at the hoist side; the Southern Cross represents the role of Christianity in Tokelauan culture and symbolizes the country's navigating into the future, the color yellow indicates happiness and peace, and the blue field represents the ocean on which the community relies

Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people rely heavily on aid from New Zealand - about $10 million annually in 2008 and 2009 - to maintain public services. New Zealand's support amounts to 80% of Tokelau's recurrent government budget. An international trust fund, currently worth nearly US$32 million, was established in 2004 to provide Tokelau an independent source of revenue. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand.

$1.5 million (1993 est.)

coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats; fish

small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing

stamps, copra, handicrafts

foodstuffs, building materials, fuel

New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -

no broadcast television stations; each atoll operates a radio service that provides shipping news and weather reports (2009)

none; offshore anchorage only

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island (Olohega) in its 2006 draft independence constitution