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thumb|right|New Zealand's current four-year plan for Tokelau, drafted October 2021

The politics of Tokelau takes place within a framework of a parliamentary representative democracy that is a dependent territory of New Zealand. The head of state of Tokelau is King Charles III in right of New Zealand. An administrator (as of 2022, Don Higgins) is appointed by the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade to represent the New Zealand Government.

The Ulu-o-Tokelau is the head of government and presides over the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, which functions as a cabinet. The office of Ulu rotates between the three for a one-year term. The Council consists of the (leader) and (village mayor) of each of the three atolls.

The Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers legislative power on the General Fono, a unicameral body. The number of seats each atoll receives in the Fono is determined by population &ndash; currently Fakaofo and Atafu each have seven and Nukunonu has six. This second referendum took place between 20 and 24 October 2007 and again fell short of the two-thirds majority required for independence, with 64% voting in favour. In April 2008, speaking as leader of the National Party, future New Zealand Prime Minister John Key stated that New Zealand had "imposed two referenda on the people of the Tokelau Islands" and questioned "the accepted wisdom that small states should undergo a de-colonisation process".

Executive branch

Administrator of Tokelau

The Administrator of Tokelau is appointed by the New Zealand Government and is the head of the executive branch of Tokelau. Since 1994, however, most powers relating to the day-to-day functions of the government have been transferred to institutions which are chosen by the Tokelauan people. A notable exception is the administration of Tokelau's exclusive economic zone.

Since 1 June 2022, the current Administrator is Don Higgins, who "has previously served as High Commissioner in Solomon Islands and Kiribati, and as an Adviser to the Tokelau Administrator from 2012 to 2014."

Ulu-o-Tokelau

The Ulu-o-Tokelau (or Ulu) is the titular head of government and chairs the Council for the Ongoing Government. The office rotates among the three (atoll leaders) each year and the seat of government changes to the atoll of the incumbent Ulu. As of 17 March 2025, the Ulu is Esera Fofō Tuisano. The OCOG also links together the traditional village-based governing structure and the national government.