2000 Edition

Background

The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand withdrew from a number of defense alliances during the 1970s and 1980s. In recent years the government has sought to address longstanding native Maori grievances.

Area

land

268,670 sq km

note

includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands

total

268,680 sq km

water

10 sq km

Area - comparative

about the size of Colorado

Climate

temperate with sharp regional contrasts

Coastline

15,134 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Mount Cook 3,764 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 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, Ship Pollution, 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%

forests and woodland

28%

other

8% (1993 est.)

permanent crops

5%

permanent pastures

50%

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 23% (male 440,824; female 419,740) 15-64 years: 66% (male 1,263,710; female 1,254,958) 65 years and over: 11% (male 191,511; female 249,019) (2000 est.)

Birth rate

14.28 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate

7.57 deaths/1,000 population (2000 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

6.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages

English (official), Maori

Life expectancy at birth

female

80.93 years (2000 est.)

male

74.85 years

total population

77.82 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

NA%

male

NA%

total population

99% (1980 est.)

Nationality

adjective

New Zealand

noun

New Zealander(s)

Net migration rate

4.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population

3,819,762 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate

1.17% (2000 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: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.8 children born/woman (2000 est.)

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

abbreviation

NZ

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

New Zealand

Data code

NZ

Dependent areas

Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador-designate Carol MOSELEY-BRAUN

embassy

29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington

mailing address

P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, FPO AP 96531-1001

telephone

(4) 472-2068

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador James Brendan BOLGER

telephone

(202) 328-4800

Executive branch

cabinet

Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Michael HARDIE BOYS (since 21 March 1996)

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

head of government

Prime Minister Helen CLARK (since 10 December 1999) and Deputy Prime Minister Jim ANDERTON (since 10 December 1999)

FAX

(202) 667-5227

(4) 471-2380

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles, New York

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

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

26 September 1907 (from UK)

International organization participation

ABEDA, 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, NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTAET, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Judicial branch

High Court; Court of Appeal

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)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NZLP 49, NP 39, Alliance 10, ACT New Zealand 9, Green Party 7, NZFP 5, UNZ 1

elections

last held 27 November 1999 (next must be called by November 2002)

note

NZLP and Alliance formed the government coalition; the National Party became the opposition party

National holiday

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

Political parties and leaders

ACT, New Zealand ; Alliance (a coalition of the New Labor Party, Democratic Party, New Zealand Liberal Party, and Mana Motuhake) ; Christian Coalition (a coalition of the Christian Democrats and Christian Heritage Party) ; Conservative Party (formerly Right of Centre Party) ; Democratic Party [John WRIGHT]; Green Party ; Mana Motuhake ; Mauri Pacific Party (composed of members who broke away from the NZFP) ; National Party or NP [Jenny SHIPLEY]; New Labor Party ; New Zealand First Party or NZFP ; New Zealand Labor Party or NZLP ; New Zealand Liberal Party ; United New Zealand or UNZ

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef, dairy products; fish

Budget

expenditures

$23.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY97/98 est.)

revenues

$24.9 billion

Currency

1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents

Debt - external

$53 billion (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 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. Moderate growth probably will characterize 2000.

Electricity - consumption

33.284 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - production

35.789 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

27.17%

hydro

65.82%

nuclear

0%

other

7.01% (1998)

Exchange rates

New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.9451 (January 2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995)

Exports

$12.2 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Exports - commodities

dairy products, meat, fish, wool, forestry products, manufactures

Exports - partners

Australia 21%, Japan 13%, US 13%, UK 6% (1998)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP

purchasing power parity - $63.8 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

8%

industry

23%

services

69% (1998)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $17,400 (1999 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.1% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$11.2 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, consumer goods, plastics

Imports - partners

Australia 22%, US 20%, Japan 11%, UK 5% (1998)

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)

1.3% (1999 est.)

Labor force

1.86 million (1998)

Labor force - by occupation

services 65%, industry 25%, agriculture 10% (1995)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

7% (1999 est.)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

56 (1999)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 124, FM 290, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios

3.75 million (1997)

Telephone system

excellent international and domestic systems

domestic

NA

international

submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

1.719 million (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular

588,000 (1998)

Television broadcast stations

41 (plus 52 medium-power repeaters and over 650 low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

1.926 million (1997)

Airports

111 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

44 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 3 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

67 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 43 (1999 est.)

Highways

paved

53,568 km (including at least 144 km of expressways)

total

92,200 km

unpaved

38,632 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine

ships by type

bulk 4, cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2, rail car carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off 2 (1999 est.)

total

10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 102,461 GRT/133,418 DWT

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

narrow gauge

3,913 km 1.067-m gauge (519 km electrified) (1999)

total

3,913 km

Waterways

1,609 km; of little importance to transportation

Military branches

New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$883 million (FY97/98)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.1% (FY97/98)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 990,774 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 834,289 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age

20 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

26,649 (2000 est.)

Disputes - international

territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)

NICARAGUA