Realm of New Zealand

[2] The Ross Dependency has no permanent inhabitants, while Tokelau, the Cook Islands and Niue have indigenous populations.

The United Nations formally classifies Tokelau as a non-self-governing territory; the Cook Islands and Niue are internally self-governing, with New Zealand retaining responsibility for defence and for most foreign affairs.

[6] The 1983 Letters Patent Constituting the Office of Governor-General of New Zealand define the exact scope of the realm.

The details of their free association arrangement are contained in several documents, such as their respective constitutions, the 1983 Exchange of Letters between the governments of New Zealand and the Cook Islands, and the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration.

In foreign affairs and defence issues New Zealand acts on behalf of these countries, but only with their advice and consent.

[19] As the governor-general is resident in New Zealand, the Cook Islands Constitution provides for the distinct position of King's Representative.

Appointed by the Cook Islands Government, this position is de jure not subordinate to the governor-general and acts as the local representative of the King in right of New Zealand.

[20] According to Niue's Constitution of 1974, the governor-general of New Zealand acts as the King's Representative, and exercises the "executive authority vested in the Crown".

In referendums conducted in 2006 and 2007 by New Zealand at the United Nations' request, the people of Tokelau failed to reach the two-thirds majority necessary to attain a system of governance with equal powers to that of the Cook Islands and Niue.