# Administrator of Tokelau

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 powers and functions of the administrator are set forth in the Tokelau Act 1948, as amended from time to time. (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.

## 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 :
| No. | Name | Portrait | Term of office | Term of office |
| No. | Name | Portrait | 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 | Guy Powles | | 1949 | February 1960 |
| 7 | Jack Wright | | February 1960 | 31 March 1965 |
| 8 | Owston 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 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 | | May 2018 | 2022 |
| 28 | Don Higgins | | 2022 | Incumbent |