The Pitcairn Islands, a group of islands in the southern Pacific Ocean, are the last remaining British Overseas Territory in Oceania. Settled by mutineers from the in 1790, the island was effectively sovereign until 1898, when it was annexed by the United Kingdom and placed under the jurisdiction of the governor of Fiji. When Fiji became independent in 1970, Pitcairn Island was placed under the authority of the British high commissioner (ambassador) to New Zealand. In practice, partly due to its isolation, Pitcairn has effectively had internal self-government throughout this period. From 1790 to 1829, the local head of government was known simply as the leader. They had a president from 1832 to 1838, and a magistrate from that time until 1999, except for an eleven-year gap from 1893 to 1904, when the chief official was the president of the Council. In 1999, the magistrate's non-judicial functions were transferred to the new office of mayor. Local heads of government (1790–present) Colonial governors (1898–present) See separate articles: Governors of Fiji (1898–1970) British High Commissioners to New Zealand (1970–present) See also List of current heads of government in the United Kingdom and dependencies History of the Pitcairn Islands References Pitcairn Island Government of the Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands politicians Pitcairn Islands-related lists 1790 establishments in the Pitcairn Islands