The administrator of Tokelau is an official of the New Zealand Government, responsible for supervising the government of the dependent territory of Tokelau.

Powers and functions

Certain of the administrator's powers and functions are set forth in the Tokelau Act 1948, as amended from time to time.[1] (The office of administrator is not, however, created by this Act.) The most important right of the administrator is the power to disallow any Rule passed by the Parliament of Tokelau (the General Fono); this must, however, be done within 30 days after the administrator is sent a copy of the Rule.

The administrator is assisted by a permanent staff of civil servants, which form the Office of the administrator of Tokelau, a part of New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Office coordinates New Zealand government activity relating to Tokelau, especially economic assistance; provides expert policy-advice and assistance to the Tokelau government, also arranging for administrative assistance and training to the Tokelau public service; and represents the Tokelau public service in New Zealand, especially to the resident Tokelauan community. Besides these roles, the Office assists Tokelau to develop appropriate legal, governance and administration structures as Tokelau moves towards greater autonomy.

The administrator acts as a representative, not of the monarch personally, but of the New Zealand Government. The administration of Tokelau may also be overruled by the New Zealand Parliament, or by regulations made by the New Zealand Governor-General in Council.

Appointment

The administrator is appointed by the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs.[1][2]

History

The region of the Pacific Ocean in which Tokelau lies was declared a British protectorate in 1877, and the islands themselves came under British protection in 1889, being incorporated into the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. This Colony was administered by officials responsible ultimately to the Colonial Office in London.

In 1925, Tokelau was separated from the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, becoming its own colony. In reality, however, it was administered from New Zealand, the Governor-General of New Zealand being appointed Governor of Tokelau. The Governor-General at the time, Sir Charles Fergusson, the next year appointed the High Commissioner of Western Samoa, Maj Gen Sir George Spafford Richardson, as administrator, with a delegation of the Vice-Regal powers. This situation continued up until 1948, when sovereignty over Tokelau was transferred from the United Kingdom to New Zealand.

In recent years, administrators have tended to be senior civil servants, politicians, or career diplomats.

List of administrators

Up to 1961, the administrator of Tokelau was the administrator of Samoa.

Administrators of Tokelau[3][4]
No. Name Portrait Term of office
Start date End date
1 Maj Gen Sir George Spafford Richardson 1926 1928
2 Col Sir Stephen Allen 1928 1931
3 Brig Gen Sir Herbert Ernest Hart 1931 1935
4 Sir Alfred Turnbull 1935 1946
5 Lt Col Francis William Voelcker 1946 1949
6 Sir Guy Powles 1949 February 1960
7 Jack Wright February 1960 31 March 1965
8 Paul Gabites June 1965 1968
9 Richard Taylor 1968 1971
10 Duncan MacIntyre 1971 1972
11 Matiu Rata 1972 1973
12 Gray Thorp 1973 1975
13 Frank Corner 1975 1984
14 Tim Francis 1984 1988
15 Neil Walter (1st time) February 1988 1990
16 Graham Keith Ansell 1990 January 1992
17 Brian William Peter Absolum January 1992 March 1993
18 Lindsay Johnstone Watt March 1993 28 February 2003
19 Neil Walter (2nd time) 1 March 2003 17 October 2006
20 David Payton 17 October 2006 2009
21 John Allen (acting) 2009 2011
22 Jonathan Kings (1st time) 2011 2015
23 Linda Te Puni (acting) 2015 2016
24 David Nicholson 2016 August 2017
25 Brook Barrington (acting) August 2017 2017
26 Jonathan Kings (2nd time) 2017 2018
27 Ross Ardern[5] May 2018 2022
28 Don Higgins[6] 2022 Incumbent

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Administrator's Role". www.tokelau.org.nz. Government of Tokelau. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  2. ↑ "About Tokelau". www.mfat.govt.nz. New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  3. ↑ "Administrators of Tokelau". www.tokelau.org.nz. Government of Tokelau. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  4. ↑ "Tokelau". rulers.org. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  5. ↑ "Administrator of Tokelau announced". Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 15 December 2017.
  6. ↑ "New Administrator of Tokelau announced". New Zealand Government. 1 June 2022.
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