Tokelau - History, Geography, Demographics, Internet domain names, Miscellaneous topics

8–10°S 171–173°W; pop (2000e) 1000; area 10·1 km²/3·9 sq mi. Island territory under New Zealand administration, consisting of three small atolls (Atafu, Nukunonu, Fakaofo) in the S Pacific Ocean, c.3500 km/2200 mi N of New Zealand; chief settlement, Nukunonu; timezone GMT ?11; ethnic group, Polynesian; chief languages, Tokelauan, English; inhabitants are citizens of New Zealand; Western Samoa and New Zealand currencies in use; each atoll consists of low-lying, scrub-covered, reef-bound islets encircling a lagoon; hot and humid climate, tempered by trade winds; British protectorate in 1889; annexed in 1916, and included with the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony; returned to separate status in 1925, under administrative control of New Zealand, but substantially self-governing at local level; copra, coconuts, breadfruit, pawpaw, bananas, pigs, fowl; principal revenue earners are copra, stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts.

Tokelau The Flag of New Zealand is used in Tokelau An unofficial flag of Tokelau used since 1989 Geographic location of atolls: Atafu 8°33′6″S, 172°30′3″W Nukunonu 9°10′6″S, 171°48′35″W Fakaofo 9°21′55″S, 171°12′54″W Languages Tokelauan, English Capital None; each atoll has its own administrative centre Political status Territory of New Zealand Head of State Queen Elizabeth II (as Queen of New Zealand) Administrator David Payton Head of Government Kolouei O'Brien Area   – % water  12 km²  Negligible Population   – Density  1,392  116/km² Dependent area of New Zealand Currency New Zealand dollar ($ NZD) GDP $1.5 million (230) Time zone UTC -11 Internet TLD .tk Calling Code 690 Some data from The CIA's 2004 World Factbook

Tokelau is a non-self-governing colonial territory of New Zealand that comprises a group of three tropical coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean.

History

Tokelau was originally settled by Polynesians migrating from other island groups. By the Tokelau Act of 1948, sovereignty over Tokelau was transferred to New Zealand. However, the Tokelauans are drafting a constitution and developing institutions and patterns of self-government as Tokelau moves towards free association with New Zealand, similarly to Niue and the Cook Islands.

On November 11, 2004, Tokelau and New Zealand took steps to formulate a treaty that would turn Tokelau from a non-self-governing territory to a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand.

Geography

Tokelau comprises three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean between 171° and 173° W longitude and 8° and 10° S latitude, approximately midway between Hawaiʻi and New Zealand.

Territorial claim

A fourth island that is culturally, historically and geographically - but not politically - part of the Tokelau chain is Swains Island (Olohega), under United States control since about 1900 and administered as part of American Samoa since 1935. In the draft constitution of Tokelau subject to the Tokelauam self-determination referendum in 2006, Olohega is again claimed as part of Tokelau.

A large number of Tokelauan people live in New Zealand and support their families in Tokelau by remittances.

Demographics

Tokelau has fewer than 1,500 Polynesian inhabitants in three villages who speak Tokelauan and English.

Internet domain names

Tokelau has an Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD), .tk, and attempts to make money for the island by selling domain names.

Miscellaneous topics

Tokelau has radiotelephone service between the islands and to Samoa, and in 1997 established a government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok) with three satellite earth stations. - Fafie ?-29 February 1916 - Tuilaka

Fakaofo

Rulers

?-? 1841 - Taupe fl.1846-fl.1852 - Havaiki I fl.1858 - Lika fl.1871 - Longotahi ?-May 1881 - Vaopuka fl.1881-ca.1890 - Te Taulu fl.1892-1902 - Tavita Te Fuli 1902-29th February 1916 - Ielemia Havaiki II

Nukunonu

Rulers

?