Realm of New Zealand
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The Realm of New Zealand is the territory in which the Queen in right of New Zealand is head of state. The Realm comprises the Cook Islands, New Zealand, Niue, Tokelau and New Zealand's Ross Dependency in Antarctica. The term "Realm of New Zealand" is described in the Letters Patent constituting the office of Governor-General of New Zealand of 1983 in article I.
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Governor-General
Since Queen Elizabeth II is resident in the United Kingdom she is represented in the Realm by a Governor-General. Governors-General take on all the dignities and reserve powers of the Queen. As of 2006 the Governor-General of New Zealand is Anand Satyanand.
Sovereignty within the Realm
The Realm itself is a collection of former British colonies and protectorates. New Zealand was a British colony formed in 1840 and became a dominion in 1907. The Cook Islands and Niue were former British protectorates which were transferred to New Zealand administration in the early 20th century. The Ross Dependency was put under New Zealand administration in 1923, and Tokelau was transferred to New Zealand from the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony in 1925.
Cook Islands and Niue
Both the Cook Islands and Niue are said to be self-governing in free association with New Zealand. The New Zealand Parliament is not empowered to unilaterally pass legislation in respect of these countries. In foreign affairs and defence issues New Zealand acts on behalf of these countries but only with their advice and consent.
As the Governor-General is resident in New Zealand, the Cook Islands Constitution provides for the distinct position of Queen's Representative. This individual is not subordinate to the Governor-General and acts as the local representative of the Queen in right of New Zealand. As of 2005 Sir Frederick Goodwin is the Queen's Representative to the Cook Islands.
According to the Niue's Constitution of 1974 the Governor-General of New Zealand acts as the Queen's representative.
In the Cook Islands and Niue the New Zealand High Commissioner is the diplomatic representative from New Zealand. As of 2005 John Bryan is the New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands and Anton Ojala is the New Zealand High Commissioner to Niue.
Despite their close relationship to New Zealand, both the Cook Islands and Niue maintain some diplomatic relations in their own name. Both countries maintain High Commissions in New Zealand and have New Zealand High Commissioners resident in their capitals. In Commonwealth practice, High Commissioners represent their governments, not the Head of State.
New Zealand
New Zealand proper consists of the following island groups:
- the North Island, South Island and neighbouring coastal islands, all contained within the 16 regions of New Zealand
- the Chatham Islands to the east, contained within the Chatham Islands Territory
- the Kermadec Islands to the north and sub-Antarctic islands to the south, all outside local authority boundaries and inhabited only by a small number of research and conservation staff
Tokelau
Tokelau has a lesser degree of de jure independence than the Cook Islands and Niue have, and is presently moving toward free association status. New Zealand's representative in Tokelau is the Administrator of Tokelau and has the power to overturn rules passed by the general fono.
Ross Dependency
New Zealand's claim to the Ross Dependency is held in abeyance, however the Governor-General of New Zealand is also the Governor of the Ross Dependency.(MFAT Speech of 23-Apr-02, Antarctic Conference) The Ross Dependency claim includes McMurdo Station operated by the United States.
Terminology and Summary information
| Area | Representative of the Queen | Head of Government | Legislature | Capital | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 New Zealand | Governor-General | Prime Minister | House of Representatives | Wellington | 4,107,883 |
 Cook Islands | Queen's Representative | Prime Minister | Cook Islands Parliament | Avarua | 21,388 |
 Niue | Representative of the Queen (the Governor-General of New Zealand) | Premier | Niue Assembly | Alofi | 2,145 |
| Tokelau | Governor-General of New Zealand Administrator of Tokelau | Ulu-o-Tokelau (Head of the Council of Ongoing Government) | General Fono | None | 1,405 |
| Ross Dependency | Governor (the Governor-General of New Zealand) | Chief Executive | None | Scott Base | Scott Base: 10-80 seasonally McMurdo Station: 200-1000 seasonally |
See also
External link
- Letters Patent constituting the office of Governor-General of New Zealand — gives explanation for "Realm of New Zealand"
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| Cook Islands | New Zealand | Niue | Ross Dependency | Tokelau | |
Categories
Government of New Zealand | Constitution of New Zealand