This article is part of the series: Politics and government of New Zealand
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.

Constitution
Executive
Sovereign

• Queen Elizabeth II
  Governor-General
  
  
  
  • Hon. Anand Satyanand
    Executive Council
    
    
    
    • Cabinet
      
      
      
      • Prime Minister
        
        
        
        • Rt Hon. Helen Clark
          Legislative
          Parliament
          
          
          
          • House of Representatives
            
            
            
            • Speaker of the House
              Official Opposition
              
              
              
              • Leader of the Opposition
                Elections
                
                
                
                • Electoral system
                  Electorates
                  Referendums
                  Judicial
                  Supreme Court
                  
                  
                  
                  • Chief Justice
                    Court of Appeal
                    High Court
                    Regional authorities
                    Territorial authorities
                    Unitary authority
                    Politicians
                    Political parties
                    Political topics
                    Māori politics
                    Foreign relations Governor-General
                    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 twentieth 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.
                    
                    Sovereignty within the Realm
                    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
                    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.
                    
                    Tokelau
                    New Zealand's claim to the Ross Dependency is held in abeyance, per the Antarctic Treaty System. The Governor-General of New Zealand, however, 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.
                    
                    Ross Dependency
                    
                    Future of the Realm
                    
                    Dominion of New Zealand
                    Commonwealth Realm