About New Zealand

Of the United Nations Trust Territories administered by New Zealand, the Cook Islands, in 1965, voted under United Nations supervision to become a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand. Niue achieved a similar status in an act of self-determination in 1974. Under their respective constitutions the Cook Islands and Niue have full legislative and executive competence over all their affairs. The constitutional relationship provides for the exercise by New Zealand of certain responsibilities for the defence and external relations of the Cook Islands and Niue. This does not confer upon the New Zealand Government any rights of control: the Cook Islands and Niue retain legislative and executive powers in these fields as in all other matters. The Cook Islands and Niue can at any time amend their constitution to end the free-association status in favour of complete independence. Cook Islanders and Niueans are New Zealand citizens.

Tokelau ist still included within the boundaries of New Zealand and is administered under the authority of the Tokelau Act 1948 and its amendments. In accordance with United Nations resolutions on non-self-governing terri tories, New Zealand has committed itself to assisting Tokelau towards a greater degree of self-government and economic self-sufficiency. New Zealand has stated that it will be guided by the wishes of the Tokelauan people regarding political developments in the territory and the pace at which greater self-determination is introduced.

The total land area of Tokelau, a group of three small atolls, is about 12 km², and the population estimated at 1.700. Tokelauans are New Zealand citizens.

Tokelau has a separate legal system, and local government is conducted through representative institutions. The faipule and pulenuku are elected every 3 years by adult suffrage. They meet about twice per year. Their decisions have customary, if not legal authority.

The Ross Dependency consists of the land, permanent ice-shelf and islands in Antarctica between 160 degrees east and 150 degrees west. The land is almost all covered by ice, and is uninhabited except for people working on scientific research programmes. Since 1923, New Zealand has exercised jurisdiction over the territory, which has the status of a Territory Overseas.