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 serves as the titular head of state and heads the national government. The office rotates among the three Faipule (atoll leaders) each year. He chairs the Council for the Ongoing Government. The seat of government of Tokelau changes each year to be located on the atoll of the incumbent Ulu o Tokelau. Council for the Ongoing Government The Office of the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau (OCOG) is tasked with managing Tokelau's foreign affairs, providing support and advice to national leaders, and working with villages to develop and implement national programs and activities. The OCOG is based in Apia, Samoa. The OCOG also links together the traditional village-based governing structure and the national government. Members of the OCOG are the three Faipule and three Pulenku. Members meet while the General Fono is out of session to continue governing the islands. For the period 2017–19, the Council of the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, or Cabinet, was as follows. Legislative Branch The legislative branch of the Tokelau government is known as the General Fono. The General Fono is composed of twenty seats allocated among the three atolls based on population. In 2008, Atafu received seven seats while Fakaofo and Nukunonu each received six. The General Fono meets for three session per year, with each session lasting around four days. Members of the General Fono elect their Chairman. The Chairman for 2019 is Stanley Lopa, while the deputy chair is Sakaria Sakaio. The Tokelau Amendment Act, passed by the New Zealand Parliament in 1996, granted the General Fono the ability to pass laws which helped maintain "the peace, order, and good government of Tokelau", including the ability to levy taxes. New Zealand law does not automatically apply to Tokelau, and any bill seeking to be applied in Tokelau must specifically extend its authority to the islands. No law passed by the New Zealand Parliament has ever been extended to Tokelau without Tokelauan consent. Elections Elections in Tokelau occur every three years. At these elections, voters choose members of the General Fono, one Faipule (Village Head) for each atoll, and