Tokelau

Overseas territory of New Zealand, 480 km/300 mi north of Apia, Samoa, comprising three coral atolls: Atafu, Fakaofo, and Nukunonu; area 10 sq km/4 sq mi; population (1994) 1,600. Copra and handicrafts are exported.

The islands belong to the Polynesian group. Their resources are small, and to avoid overcrowding many of the inhabitants moved to New Zealand under a resettlement scheme, which was suspended in 1976 when the population had stabilized. New Zealand has administered the islands since 1926 when they were separated from the British Gilbert and Ellice islands colony.

In 1925 New Zealand agreed to administer the islands and in 1948 they were included in the territorial boundaries of New Zealand. The office of the Tokelau Islands administration is based in Apia.