Tokelau , formerly (1916–46) Union Group, Island territory (pop., 2006: 1,074) of New Zealand, South Pacific Ocean. Located north of Samoa, Tokelau consists of three coral atolls—Fakaofo, Nukunonu, and Atafu—each with numerous low-lying islets. Originally settled by Samoans, the islands were first visited by Europeans in the 18th century. In 1863 Peruvian slave raiders abducted many islanders; the abductions and outbreaks of disease reduced the population to about 200. The British established a protectorate there in 1889. Under the name Union Islands, they were part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony from 1916 to 1925, after which New Zealand was granted jurisdiction. The islands became part of New Zealand in 1948. The name Tokelau Islands was adopted in 1946; this was shortened to Tokelau in 1976. In 1994 the powers that had been held by the territory’s New Zealand administrator were transferred to the local government.
