1999 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1999 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Area
total: 268,680 sq km land: 268,670 sq km water: 10 sq km note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands
Area--comparative
about the size of Colorado
Climate
temperate with sharp regional contrasts
Coastline
15,134 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Cook 3,764 m
Environment--current issues
deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by species introduced from outside
Environment--international agreements
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation
Geographic coordinates
41 00 S, 174 00 E
Geography--note
about 80% of the population lives in cities
Irrigated land
2,850 sq km (1993 est.)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 9% permanent crops: 5% permanent pastures: 50% forests and woodland: 28% other: 8% (1993 est.)
Location
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia
Map references
Oceania
Maritime claims
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Natural hazards
earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity
Natural resources
natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone
Terrain
predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years: 23% (male 430,105; female 409,302) 15-64 years: 65% (male 1,202,762; female 1,195,006) 65 years and over: 12% (male 184,048; female 241,042) (1999 est.)
Birth rate
14.42 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate
7.53 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Ethnic groups
New Zealand European 74.5%, Maori 9.7%, other European 4.6%, Pacific Islander 3.8%, Asian and others 7.4%
Infant mortality rate
6.22 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Languages
English (official), Maori
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 77.82 years male: 74.55 years female: 81.27 years (1999 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1980 est.) male: NA% female: NA%
Nationality
noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand
Net migration rate
3.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Population
3,662,265 (July 1999 est.)
Population growth rate
0.99% (1999 est.)
Religions
Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none 33% (1986)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.85 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Government
Administrative divisions
93 counties, 9 districts*, and 3 town districts**; Akaroa, Amuri, Ashburton, Bay of Islands, Bruce, Buller, Chatham Islands, Cheviot, Clifton, Clutha, Cook, Dannevirke, Egmont, Eketahuna, Ellesmere, Eltham, Eyre, Featherston, Franklin, Golden Bay, Great Barrier Island, Grey, Hauraki Plains, Hawera*, Hawke's Bay, Heathcote, Hikurangi**, Hobson, Hokianga, Horowhenua, Hurunui, Hutt, Inangahua, Inglewood, Kaikoura, Kairanga, Kiwitea, Lake, Mackenzie, Malvern, Manaia**, Manawatu, Mangonui, Maniototo, Marlborough, Masterton, Matamata, Mount Herbert, Ohinemuri, Opotiki, Oroua, Otamatea, Otorohanga*, Oxford, Pahiatua, Paparua, Patea, Piako, Pohangina, Raglan, Rangiora*, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua*, Runanga, Saint Kilda, Silverpeaks, Southland, Stewart Island, Stratford, Strathallan, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo, Tauranga, Thames-Coromandel*, Tuapeka, Vincent, Waiapu, Waiheke, Waihemo, Waikato, Waikohu, Waimairi, Waimarino, Waimate, Waimate West, Waimea, Waipa, Waipawa*, Waipukurau*, Wairarapa South, Wairewa, Wairoa, Waitaki, Waitomo*, Waitotara, Wallace, Wanganui, Waverley**, Westland, Whakatane*, Whangarei, Whangaroa, Woodville note: there may be a new administrative structure of 16 regions (Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wanganui-Manawatu, Wellington, West Coast) that are subdivided into 57 districts and 16 cities* (Ashburton, Auckland*, Banks Peninsula, Buller, Carterton, Central Hawke's Bay, Central Otago, Christchurch*, Clutha, Dunedin*, Far North, Franklin, Gisborne, Gore, Grey, Hamilton*, Hastings, Hauraki, Horowhenua, Hurunui, Hutt*, Invercargill*, Kaikoura, Kaipara, Kapiti Coast, Kawerau, Mackenzie, Manawatu, Manukau*, Marlborough, Masterton, Matamata Piako, Napier*, Nelson*, New Plymouth, North Shore*, Opotiki, Otorohanga, Palmerston North*, Papakura*, Porirua*, Queenstown Lakes, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua, Ruapehu, Selwyn, Southland, South Taranaki, South Waikato, South Wairarapa, Stratford, Tararua, Tasman, Taupo, Tauranga, Thames Coromandel, Timaru, Upper Hutt*, Waikato, Waimakariri, Waimate, Waipa, Wairoa, Waitakere*, Waitaki, Waitomo, Wanganui, Wellington*, Western Bay of Plenty, Westland, Whakatane, Whangarei)
Capital
Wellington
Constitution
no formal, written constitution; consists of various documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments; Constitution Act 1986 was to have come into force 1 January 1987, but has not been enacted
Country name
conventional long form: none conventional short form: New Zealand abbreviation: NZ
Data code
NZ
Dependent areas
Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Michael HARDIE BOYS (since 21 March 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Jenny SHIPLEY (since 8 December 1997) and Deputy Prime Minister Wyatt CREECH (since NA August 1998); note--the coalition government of the National Party and the New Zealand First Party was dissolved on 18 August 1998 cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general for a three-year term; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general
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
Government type
parliamentary democracy
Independence
26 September 1907 (from UK)
International organization participation
ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MONUA, MTCR, NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOP, UNOMSIL, UNPREDEP, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James Brendan BOLGER chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Josiah Horton BEEMAN embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington mailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, FPO AP 96531-1001 consulate(s) general: Auckland
Judicial branch
High Court; Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: National Party or NP [Jenny coalition of the Christian Democrats and Christian Heritage Party)
Legal system
based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for Maoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch
unicameral House of Representatives--commonly called Parliament (120 seats; members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 12 October 1996 (next must be called by October 1999) election results: percent of vote by party--NP 34.1%, NZLP 28.3%, NZFP 13.1%, Alliance 10.1%, ACT 6.17%, UNZ 0.91%; seats by party--NP 44, NZLP 37, NZFP 17, Alliance 13, ACT 8, UNZ 1
National holiday
Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture--products
wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef, dairy products; fish
Budget
revenues: $24.9 billion expenditures: $23.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY97/98 est.)
Currency
1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Debt--external
$53.2 billion (March 1998)
Economic aid--donor
ODA, $123 million (1995)
Economy--overview
Since 1984 the government has accomplished major economic restructuring, moving an agrarian economy dependent on a concessionary British market access toward a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes, broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, and contained inflationary pressures. Inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world. Per capita GDP has been moving up toward the levels of the big West European economies. New Zealand's heavy dependence on trade leaves its growth prospects vulnerable to economic performance in Asia, Europe, and the US. The slump in demand in Asian markets largely explains the slight drop in GDP in 1998.
Electricity--consumption
35.534 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports
0 kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports
0 kWh (1996)
Electricity--production
35.534 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source
fossil fuel: 18.72% hydro: 75.67% nuclear: 0% other: 5.61% (1996)
Exchange rates
New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1--1.85 (February 1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994)
Exports
$12.9 billion (1998 est.)
Exports--commodities
wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fish, cheese, chemicals, forestry products, fruits and vegetables, manufactures, dairy products, wood
Exports--partners
Australia 20%, Japan 15%, US 10%, UK 6% (1997)
Fiscal year
1 July--30 June
GDP
purchasing power parity--$61.1 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector
agriculture: 9% industry: 25% services: 66% (1997)
GDP--per capita
purchasing power parity?$17,000 (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate
-0.2% (1998)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports
$13 billion (1998 est.)
Imports--commodities
machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, consumer goods, plastics
Imports--partners
Australia 27%, US 19%, Japan 12%, UK 6% (1997)
Industrial production growth rate
NA%
Industries
food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.1% (1998)
Labor force
1.86 million (1998)
Labor force--by occupation
services 65.1%, industry 25.1%, agriculture 9.8% (1995)
Population below poverty line
NA%
Unemployment rate
7.6% (1998)
Communications
Radio broadcast stations
AM 64, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios
3.215 million (1992 est.)
Telephone system
excellent international and domestic systems domestic: NA international: submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satellite earth stations--2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones
1.7 million (1986 est.)
Television broadcast stations
41 (in addition, there are 52 medium-power repeaters and over 650 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions
1.53 million (1992 est.)
Transportation
Airports
111 (1998 est.) Airports--with paved runways: total: 44 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 3 (1998 est.) Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 67 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 43 (1998 est.)
Highways
total: 92,200 km paved: 53,568 km (including at least 144 km of expressways) unpaved: 38,632 km (1996 est.)
Merchant marine
total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 138,687 GRT/183,372 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 3, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4 (1998 est.)
Pipelines
petroleum products 160 km; natural gas 1,000 km; liquefied petroleum gas or LPG 150 km Ports and harbors: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington
Railways
total: 3,973 km narrow gauge: 3,973 km 1.067-m gauge (519 km electrified)
Waterways
1,609 km; of little importance to transportation
Military and Security
Military branches
New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force
Military expenditures--dollar figure
$562 million (FY97/98)
Military expenditures--percent of GDP
1.05% (FY97/98)
Military manpower--availability
males age 15-49: 943,624 (1999 est.) Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 793,814 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--military age
20 years of age
Military manpower--reaching military age annually
males: 26,046 (1999 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international
territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)