Norfolk Island
Introduction
Background
Polynesians lived on Norfolk Island between 1200 and 1500, but the remote island was uninhabited by the time British explorer James COOK landed on the island in 1774. Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned.<br><br>In 1856, almost 200 Pitcairn Islanders -- descendants of the <em>Bounty </em>mutineers and their Tahitian companions -- were relocated to Norfolk Island because of overcrowding on the Pitcairn Islands. Some returned to the Pitcairn Islands over the next few years, but most settled permanently on Norfolk Island and recreated their previous land tenure and governance structures. Norfolk Island retained a great degree of local control until 1897, when it became a dependency of New South Wales. During World War II, Norfolk Island was an airbase and an important refueling stop in the South Pacific. In 1976, an Australian judge recommended Norfolk Island be incorporated fully into Australia, which Norfolk Islanders rejected. After an appeal to the UN, Australia granted limited self-government to Norfolk Island in 1979.<br><br>With growing financial troubles during the 2000s, Australia abolished the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly in 2015, reduced Norfolk Island’s autonomy in 2016, and suspended the local council in 2020. Most services are provided by a mix of the Australian Capital Territory and the states of New South Wales and Queensland. These moves were unpopular on Norfolk Island, which has sought to have its self-government restored and as of 2024, the Australian Government was working with Norfolk Island to establish a new local governing body.
Geography
Location
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Geographic coordinates
29 02 S, 167 57 E
Map references
Oceania
Area
total
36 sq km
land
36 sq km
water
0 sq km
Area - comparative
about 0.2 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Coastline
32 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
contiguous zone
24 nm
exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
Climate
subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain
volcanic island with mostly rolling plains
Elevation
highest point
Mount Bates 319 m
lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
fish
Land use
agricultural land
25% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 25% (2023 est.)
forest
12.2% (2023 est.)
other
62.8% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Population distribution
population concentrated around the capital of Kingston
Natural hazards
tropical cyclones (especially May to July)
Geography - note
most of the 32-km (20-mi) coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is located
People and Society
Population
total
1,739 (2021)
male
823
female
916
Nationality
noun
Norfolk Islander(s)
adjective
Norfolk Islander(s)
Ethnic groups
<p>Australian 22.8%, English 22.4%, Pitcairn Islander 20%, Scottish 6%, Irish 5.2%</p> (2011 est.)
Languages
English (official) 44.9%, Norfolk (official, a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian) 40.3%, Fijian 1.8%, other 6.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2016 est.)
Religions
Protestant 46.8% (Anglican 29.2%, Uniting Church in Australia 9.8%, Presbyterian 2.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.7%, other 2.2%), Roman Catholic 12.6%, other Christian 2.9%, other 1.4%, none 26.7%, unspecified 9.5% (2016 est.)
Population growth rate
0.01% (2014 est.)
Population distribution
population concentrated around the capital of Kingston
Environment
Environmental issues
inadequate solid-waste management; most freshwater obtained through rainwater catchment; preservation of unique ecosystem
Climate
subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation
Land use
agricultural land
25% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 25% (2023 est.)
forest
12.2% (2023 est.)
other
62.8% (2023 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form
Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form
Norfolk Island
etymology
named by British explorer Captain James COOK after Edward HOWARD, the ninth Duke of Norfolk, in 1774
Government type
administered as an overseas territory of Australia
Dependency status
administered as a territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities, & Regional Development
Capital
name
Kingston
geographic coordinates
29 03 S, 167 58 E
time difference
UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April
etymology
the name blends the words "king's" and "town;" the English king at the time of the town's settlement in the late 18th century was GEORGE III
Legal system
English common law and the laws of Australia
Constitution
history
previous 1913, 1957; latest effective 7 August 1979
Citizenship
see Australia
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia General Sam MOSTYN (since 1 July 2024)
head of government
Administrator George PLANT (since 1 June 2023)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch
legislature name
Norfolk Island Regional Council
legislative structure
unicameral
number of seats
5 (directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
4 years
most recent election date
5/28/2016
parties elected and seats per party
independent (5)
percentage of women in chamber
20%
expected date of next election
March 2021 (postponed)
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Norfolk Island (consists of the chief justice and several justices)
judge selection and term of office
justices appointed by the governor general of Australia from among justices of the Federal Court of Australia; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts
Petty Court of Sessions; specialized courts, including a Coroner's Court and the Employment Tribunal
Political parties
Norfolk Island Labor Party <br>Norfolk Liberals
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (territory of Australia)
International organization participation
UPU
Independence
none (territory of Australia)
National holiday
Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856)
Flag
<strong>description:</strong> three vertical bands of green (left side), white, and green, with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered on the white band<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> green stands for the island's rich vegetation, and the native pine tree is an island symbol
National symbol(s)
Norfolk Island pine
National coat of arms
Norfolk Island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, and in 1980, Queen Elizabeth II granted it a separate coat of arms (pictured); in the center is the island’s symbol, the Norfolk Island Pine, with Britain’s lion and Australia’s kangaroo supporting the shield; the island’s motto, “Inasmuch,” comes from a verse in the Bible’s Gospel of Matthew
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
lyrics/music
unknown
history
royal anthem, as an Australian overseas territory
Economy
Economic overview
high-income Australian territorial economy; key tourism and re-exportation industries; small labor force and declining participation creating more part-time jobs; former tax haven; increasing medical cannabis exporter; little transportation infrastructure
Agricultural products
Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry
Industries
tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete
Exports - partners
USA 31%, Belgium 9%, Philippines 7%, Israel 6%, Singapore 6% (2023)
Exports - commodities
pine seeds, lumber, cars and vehicle parts, soybeans, lactose syrup (2021)
Imports - partners
Australia 52%, Fiji 13%, NZ 12%, Saudi Arabia 12%, Malaysia 5% (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, plastics, electrical lighting/signalling equipment, cars, machinery (2023)
Exchange rates
Currency
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024
1.515 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
1.505 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
1.442 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
1.331 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
1.453 (2020 est.)
Communications
Broadcast media
1 local radio station; broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available via satellite (2009)
Internet country code
.nf
Internet users
percent of population
46.1% (2021 est.)
Transportation
Airports
1 (2025)
Ports
total ports
1 (2024)
large
0
medium
0
small
0
very small
1
ports with oil terminals
1
key ports
Kingston
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Australia