New Zealand

New Zealand

Introduction

Background

The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both world wars. New Zealand’s full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances.

Geography

Location

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia

Geographic coordinates

41 00 S, 174 00 E

Map references

Oceania

Area

total: 267,710 sq km
country comparison to the world: 76 land:267,710 sq km
water:NA
note:includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands

Area – comparative

about the size of Colorado

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

15,134 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

temperate with sharp regional contrasts

Terrain

predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m

Natural resources

natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone

Land use

arable land: 5.54%
permanent crops:6.92%
other:87.54% (2005)

Irrigated land

6,190 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

397 cu km (1995)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 2.11cu km/yr (48%/9%/42%)
per capita:524cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

earthquakes are common, though usually not severe

volcanic activity
volcanism:New Zealand experiences significant volcanism on North Island

Ruapehu (elev. 2,797 m), which last erupted in 2007, has a history of large eruptions in the past century

Taranaki has the potential to produce dangerous avalanches and lahars

other historically active volcanoes include Okataina, Raoul Island, Tongariro, and White Island

Environment – current issues

deforestation

soil erosion

native flora and fauna hard-hit by invasive species

Environment – international agreements

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:Antarctic Seals, Marine Life Conservation

Geography – note

almost 90% of the population lives in cities

Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world

People and Society

Nationality

noun: New Zealander(s)
adjective:New Zealand

Ethnic groups

European 56.8%, Asian 8%, Maori 7.4%, Pacific islander 4.6%, mixed 9.7%, other 13.5% (2006 Census)

Languages

English (official) 91.2%, Maori (official) 3.9%, Samoan 2.1%, French 1.3%, Hindi 1.1%, Yue 1.1%, Northern Chinese 1%, other 12.9%, New Zealand Sign Language (official)
note:shares sum to 114.6% due to multiple responses on census (2006 Census)

Religions

Protestant 38.6% (Anglican 13.8%, Presbyterian, Congregational, and Reformed 10%, Christian (no denomination specified) 4.6%, Methodist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Baptist 1.4%, other Christian 3.8%), Roman Catholic 12.6%, Maori Christian 1.6%, Hindu 1.6%, Buddhist 1.3%, other religions 2.2%, none 32.2%, other or unidentified 9.9% (2006 Census)

Population

4,290,347 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

Age structure

0-14 years: 20.4% (male 448,106/female 426,348)
15-64 years:66.4% (male 1,426,595/female 1,420,643)
65 years and over:13.3% (male 260,454/female 308,201) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 37 years
male:36.2 years
female:37.8 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.882% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125

Birth rate

13.68 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149

Death rate

7.15 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127

Net migration rate

2.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38

Urbanization

urban population: 86% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

Auckland 1.36 million

WELLINGTON (capital) 391,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.048 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.84 male(s)/female
total population:0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

14 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 135

Infant mortality rate

total: 4.78 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 185 male:5.37 deaths/1,000 live births
female:4.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 80.59 years
country comparison to the world: 23 male:78.61 years
female:82.67 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.08 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118

Health expenditures

9.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 31

Physicians density

2.384 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
country comparison to the world: 57

Hospital bed density

6.18 beds/1,000 population (2002)
country comparison to the world: 23

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

2,500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

26.5% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 10

Education expenditures

6.1% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 27

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:99%
male:99%
female:99% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 19 years
male:19 years
female:20 years (2008)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 16.6%
country comparison to the world: 69 male:16%
female:17.2% (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: none
conventional short form:New Zealand
abbreviation:NZ

Government type

parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Capital

name: Wellington
geographic coordinates:41 28 S, 174 51 E
time difference:UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in September

ends first Sunday in April
note:New Zealand is divided into two time zones – New Zealand standard time (12 hours in advance of UTC), and Chatham Islands time (45 minutes in advance of New Zealand standard time)

Administrative divisions

16 regions and 1 territory*

Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Chatham Islands*, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wellington, West Coast

Dependent areas

Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau

Independence

26 September 1907 (from the UK)

National holiday

Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)

ANZAC Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915)

Constitution

consists of a series of legal documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand parliaments, as well as The Constitution Act 1986, which is the principal formal charter

adopted 1 January 1987, effective 1 January 1987

Legal system

common law system, based on English model, with special legislation and land courts for the Maori

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

represented by Governor General Lt Gen Sir Jerry MATEPARAE (since 31 August 2011)
head of government:Prime Minister John KEY (since 19 November 2008)

Deputy Prime Minister Simon William ENGLISH (since 19 November 2008)
cabinet:Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:the monarchy is hereditary

governor general appointed by the monarch

following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general

deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general

Legislative branch

unicameral House of Representatives – commonly called Parliament (usually 120 seats

70 members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies including 7 Maori constituencies, 50 proportional seats chosen from party lists

serve three-year terms)
elections:last held on 8 November 2008 (next to be held not later than 27 November 2011)
election results:percent of vote by party – National Party 44.9%, Labor Party 34%, Green Party 6.7%, NZ First 4%, ACT Party 3.7%, Maori 2.4%, Progressive 0.9%, United Front 0.9%, other 6.6%

seats by party – National Party 58, Labor Party 43, Green Party 9, ACT Party 5, Maori 5, Progressive 1, United Front 1
note:results of 2008 election saw the total number of seats increase to 122

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Court of Appeal

High Court

note – judges appointed by the governor general

Political parties and leaders

ACT New Zealand [Rodney HIDE]

Green Party [Russel NORMAN and Metiria TUREI]

Maori Party [Tariana TURIA and Dr. Pita SHARPLES]

New Zealand National Party [John KEY]

New Zealand First Party or NZ First [Winston PETERS]

New Zealand Labor Party [Phil GOFF]

Jim Anderton’s Progressive Party [James (Jim) ANDERTON]

United Future New Zealand [Peter DUNNE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Women’s Electoral Lobby or WEL
other:apartheid groups

civil rights groups

farmers groups

Maori

nuclear weapons groups

women’s rights groups

International organization participation

ADB, ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael K. MOORE
chancery:37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 328-4800
FAX:[1] (202) 667-5227
consulate(s) general:New York, Santa Monica

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador David HUEBNER
embassy:29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington
mailing address:P. O. Box 1190, Wellington

PSC 467, Box 1, APO AP 96531-1034
telephone:[64] (4) 462-6000
FAX:[64] (4) 499-0490
consulate(s) general:Auckland

Flag description

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag

the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation

National symbol(s)

Southern Cross constellation (four, five-pointed stars)

kiwi (bird)

National anthem

name: “God Defend New Zealand”
lyrics/music:Thomas BRACKEN [English], Thomas Henry SMITH [Maori]/John Joseph WOODS
note:adopted 1940 as national song, adopted 1977 as co-national anthem

New Zealand has two national anthems with equal status

as a commonwealth realm, in addition to “God Defend New Zealand,” “God Save the Queen” serves as a national anthem (see United Kingdom)

“God Save the Queen” normally is played only when a member of the royal family or the governor-general is present

in all other cases, “God Defend New Zealand” is played

Government – note

while not an official symbol, the Kiwi, a small native flightless bird, represents New Zealand

Economy

Economy – overview

Over the past 20 years the government has transformed New Zealand from an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market access to a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes – but left behind some at the bottom of the ladder – and broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector. Per capita income rose for ten consecutive years until 2007 in purchasing power parity terms, but fell in 2008-09. Debt-driven consumer spending drove robust growth in the first half of the decade, helping fuel a large balance of payments deficit that posed a challenge for economic managers. Inflationary pressures caused the central bank to raise its key rate steadily from January 2004 until it was among the highest in the OECD in 2007-08

international capital inflows attracted to the high rates further strengthened the currency and housing market, however, aggravating the current account deficit. The economy fell into recession before the start of the global financial crisis and contracted for five consecutive quarters in 2008-09. In line with global peers, the central bank cut interest rates aggressively and the government developed fiscal stimulus measures. The economy posted a 1.7% decline in 2009, but pulled out of recession late in the year, and achieved 2.1% growth in 2010. Nevertheless, key trade sectors remain vulnerable to weak external demand. The government plans to raise productivity growth and develop infrastructure, while reining in government spending.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$117.8 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63 $116 billion (2009 est.)
$118.5 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$140.4 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

1.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160 -2.1% (2009 est.)
-0.2% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$27,700 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51 $27,500 (2009 est.)
$28,400 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 4.6%
industry:24.4%
services:71% (2010 est.)

Labor force

2.333 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 7%
industry:19%
services:74% (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60 6.2% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: %NA
highest 10%:%NA

Distribution of family income – Gini index

36.2 (1997)
country comparison to the world: 88

Investment (gross fixed)

19.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122

Budget

revenues: $53.9 billion
expenditures:$60.31 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

38.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135

Public debt

27.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96 23.3% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74 2.1% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

2.5% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 75 5% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.095% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103 10.389% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$28.11 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60 $25.18 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$145.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45 $125.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$236.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38 $208.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$36.3 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 47 $67.06 billion (31 December 2009)
$24.17 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

dairy products, lamb and mutton

wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables

wool, beef

fish

Industries

food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141

Electricity – production

42 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Electricity – consumption

39.02 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

60,480 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57

Oil – consumption

149,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67

Oil – exports

47,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81

Oil – imports

138,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60

Oil – proved reserves

112.5 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68

Natural gas – production

4.481 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50

Natural gas – consumption

4.481 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167

Natural gas – proved reserves

34.38 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69

Current account balance

-$3.177 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171 -$3.625 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$31.88 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62 $25.34 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish, machinery

Exports – partners

Australia 23.1%, China 11.2%, US 8.6%, Japan 7.8% (2010)

Imports

$29.52 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61 $24.02 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, electronics, textiles, plastics

Imports – partners

Australia 18.1%, China 16%, US 10.5%, Japan 7.4%, Germany 4.1% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$16.72 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63 $15.59 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$81.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45 $82.33 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$70.13 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48 $64.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$NA (31 December 2010)
$59.08 billion (31 December 2009)

Exchange rates

New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -
1.3874 (2010)
1.6002 (2009)
1.4151 (2008)
1.3811 (2007)
1.5408 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

122 (2010)
country comparison to the world:48

Airports – with paved runways

total: 40
over 3,047 m:2
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:12
914 to 1,523 m:24
under 914 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 82
1,524 to 2,437 m:3
914 to 1,523 m:32
under 914 m:47 (2010)

Pipelines

condensate 331 km

gas 1,838 km

liquid petroleum gas 172 km

oil 288 km

refined products 198 km (2010)

Railways

total: 4,128 km
country comparison to the world: 41 narrow gauge:4,128 km 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) (2010)

Roadways

total: 93,911 km
country comparison to the world: 48 paved:61,879 km (includes 172 km of expressways)
unpaved:32,032 km (2009)

Merchant marine

total: 14
country comparison to the world: 103 by type:bulk carrier 3, cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2
foreign-owned:7 (Australia 1, Germany 2, Hong Kong 1, South Africa 1, Switzerland 2)
registered in other countries:6 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Cook Islands 1, France 1, Samoa 1, UK 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Auckland, Lyttelton, Manukau Harbor, Marsden Point, Tauranga, Wellington

Military

Military branches

New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF): New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force (Te Hokowhitu o Kahurangi, RNZAF) (2010)

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for voluntary military service

soldiers cannot be deployed until the age of 18

no conscription (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,019,798
females age 16-49:1,003,429 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 843,526
females age 16-49:828,779 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 30,846
female:28,825 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)

Illicit drugs

significant consumer of amphetamines