Tokelau is a New Zealand territory made up of three low-lying atolls: Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo. It has no single capital.
Oceania and its surrounding regions. Dots mark the three atolls; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.
Natural Earth · locator mapTokelau consists of three low coral atolls in the South Pacific. Narrow islands lie around lagoons, with deep ocean separating the atolls. There are no high mountains or large river catchments.
Nukunonu, Fakaofo and Atafu each have their own arrangement of reef, lagoon and inhabited land. Coconut-covered islands and sandy or rocky shores form only a small part of the wider marine setting. Travel between atolls involves open-ocean distances.
The atolls are warm and humid throughout the year. Trade winds moderate temperatures, while rainfall and wind conditions vary seasonally.
Rainfall is a crucial freshwater source. Reefs and lagoons support marine life and local food resources. Low elevation and limited land make storm waves, erosion and saltwater intrusion especially important environmental concerns.
A stylized yellow Tokelauan canoe on a dark blue field sails toward four white five-pointed stars on the left side
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Tokelau Government · geography · New Zealand MFAT · Tokelau · New Zealand MFAT · country plan
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A narrow ring of coral land surrounds the atoll’s lagoon.
Photo: Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Palms and shallow water frame the lagoon’s edge.
Photo: CloudSurfer at English Wikipedia · CC BY 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
Tokelauan is the main local language, with English used in administration and education.
Samoan and Tuvaluan are also spoken by some residents. Tokelauan is a distinct Polynesian language, and community use extends beyond the three atolls to a substantial overseas population.
Tokelau’s three atolls developed distinct village communities linked by a shared Polynesian culture. New Zealand took over administration in 1926, and the Tokelau Act placed the islands under New Zealand sovereignty in 1948. Referendums in 2006 and 2007 on self-government in free association did not reach the required two-thirds majority. Village councils continue to play a central role in public life.
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Tokelau Government · geography · New Zealand MFAT · Tokelau · New Zealand MFAT · country plan
Fishing access revenue and support from New Zealand fund much of the public sector. Local fishing, coconut cultivation, small businesses and remittances support households. There is no airport, so sea transport is essential for supplies and travel. Limited land and freshwater resources make environmental and infrastructure planning important.
Fishing, coconut production, small businesses and public services.
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Tokelau Government · geography · New Zealand MFAT · Tokelau · New Zealand MFAT · country plan
1,458 · 2022 · population reported in New Zealand MFAT’s country plan
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Tokelau Government · geography · New Zealand MFAT · Tokelau · New Zealand MFAT · country plan
A non-self-governing territory of New Zealand with substantial village-based administration. Each atoll has a village council, and elected representatives sit in the General Fono. The Ulu, or national leader, rotates annually among the three Faipule. New Zealand retains constitutional responsibilities through an Administrator.
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Tokelau Government · geography · New Zealand MFAT · Tokelau · New Zealand MFAT · country plan
Three questions about Tokelau.
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Tokelau Government · geography · New Zealand MFAT · Tokelau · New Zealand MFAT · country plan
Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.
Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.
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