2015 Edition

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. 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. New Zealand assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2015-16 term.

Area

land

267,710 sq km

note

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

total

267,710 sq km

water

NA

Area - comparative

almost twice the size of North Carolina; about the size of Colorado

Climate

temperate with sharp regional contrasts

Coastline

15,134 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

1,200 cu m/yr (2010)

total

4.75 cu km/yr (23%/5%/72%)

Geographic coordinates

41 00 S, 174 00 E

Geography - note

almost 90% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world

Irrigated land

6,193 sq km (2007)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land 1.8%; permanent crops 0.3%; permanent pasture 41.1%

agricultural land

43.2%

forest

31.4%

other

25.4% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

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

volcanism

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

Natural resources

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

Terrain

predominately mountainous with large coastal plains

Total renewable water resources

327 cu km (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years

19.87% (male 451,684/female 430,084)

15-24 years

13.74% (male 313,140/female 296,654)

25-54 years

40.25% (male 894,475/female 891,973)

55-64 years

11.52% (male 249,765/female 261,670)

65 years and over

14.62% (male 299,862/female 349,086) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

13.33 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Death rate

7.36 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

22.9%

potential support ratio

4.4% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

54%

youth dependency ratio

31.1%

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

7.4% of GDP (2012)

Ethnic groups

European 71.2%, Maori 14.1%, Asian 11.3%, Pacific peoples 7.6%, Middle Eastern, Latin American, African 1.1%, other 1.6%, not stated or unidentified 5.4%

note

based on the 2013 census of the usually resident population; percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic group (2013 est.)

Health expenditures

9.7% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

female

3.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

5.07 deaths/1,000 live births

total

4.52 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (de facto official) 89.8%, Maori (de jure official) 3.5%, Samoan 2%, Hindi 1.6%, French 1.2%, Northern Chinese 1.2%, Yue 1%, Other or not stated 20.5%, New Zealand Sign Language (de jure official)

note

shares sum to 120.8% due to multiple responses on census (2013 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

female

83.22 years (2015 est.)

male

78.97 years

total population

81.05 years

Major urban areas - population

Auckland 1.344 million; WELLINGTON (capital) 383,000 (2015)

Median age

female

38.5 years (2015 est.)

male

36.8 years

total

37.7 years

Nationality

adjective

New Zealand

noun

New Zealander(s)

Net migration rate

2.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

30.6% (2014)

Physicians density

2.74 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

4,438,393 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

0.82% (2015 est.)

Religions

Christian 44.3% (Catholic 11.6%, Anglican 10.8%, Presbyterian and Congregational 7.8%, Methodist, 2.4%, Pentecostal 1.8%, other 9.9%), Hindu 2.1%, Buddhist 1.4%, Maori Christian 1.3%, Islam 1.1%, other religion 1.4% (includes Judaism, Spiritualism and New Age religions, Baha'i, Asian religions other than Buddhism), no religion 38.5%, not stated or unidentified 8.2%, objected to answering 4.1%

note

based on the 2013 census of the usually resident population; percentages add up to more than 100% because people were able to identify more than one religion (2013 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

20 years (2012)

male

18 years

total

19 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.86 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.04 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

18.1% (2012 est.)

male

17.3%

total

17.7%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.05% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

86.3% of total population (2015)

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

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April

geographic coordinates

41 18 S, 174 47 E

name

Wellington

note

New Zealand has 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)

time difference

UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

Constitution Act 1986 (the principal formal charter) adopted and effective 1 January 1987; amended 1999, 2005 (2013)

Country name

abbreviation

NZ

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

New Zealand

Dependent areas

Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d' Affaires Marie C. DAMOUR (since 17 January 2014); note - also accredited to Samoa

consulate(s) general

Auckland

embassy

29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington

FAX

[64] (4) 499-0490

mailing address

P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, APO AP 96531-1034

telephone

[64] (4) 462-6000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Michael Kenneth MOORE (since 5 August 2010)

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles, New York, Pago Pago (American Samoa), Santa Monica (CA)

FAX

[1] (202) 667-5227

telephone

[1] (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 Lt. Gen. Sir Jerry MATEPARAE (since 31 August 2011)

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general

head of government

Prime Minister John KEY (since 19 November 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Simon William ENGLISH (since 19 November 2008)

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 and a Commonwealth realm

Independence

26 September 1907 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices including the chief justice); note - the Supreme Court in 2004 replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London as the final appeals court

judge selection and term of office

justices appointed by the governor-general on the recommendation of the attorney-general; justices appointed for life

subordinate courts

Court of Appeal; High Court; tribunals and authorities; district courts; specialized courts for issues related to employment, environment, Maori lands, and military

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

description

unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (usually 120 seats; 70 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies, including 7 Maori constituencies, by simple majority vote and 50 directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 3-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - National Party 48.1%, Labor Party 24.7%, Green Party 10%, NZ First 8.8%, Maori 1.29%, ACT Party .69%, United Future .22%; seats by party - National Party 61, Labor Party 32, Green Party 13, NZ First 11, Maori 2, ACT Party 1, United Future 1

elections

last held on 20 September 2014 (next to be held by September 2017)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Thomas BRACKEN [English], Thomas Henry SMITH [Maori]/John Joseph WOODS

name

"God Defend New Zealand"

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 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

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)

National symbol(s)

Southern Cross constellation (four, five-pointed stars), kiwi (bird), silver fern; national colors: black, white, red (ochre)

Political parties and leaders

ACT New Zealand [Rodney HIDE]

Green Party [Russel NORMAN and Metiria TUREI]

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

Mana Party [Hone HARAWIRA]

Maori Party [Tariana TURIA and Dr. Pita SHARPLES]

New Zealand First Party or NZ First [Winston PETERS]

New Zealand Labor Party [Phil GOFF]

New Zealand National Party [John KEY]

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

dairy products, sheep, beef, poultry, fruit, vegetables, wine, seafood, wheat and barley

Budget

expenditures

$84.37 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$82.63 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

2.5% (31 December 2009)

5% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.1% (31 December 2014 est.)

5.53% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

-$6.972 billion (2014 est.)

-$6.153 billion (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$87.16 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$86.89 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

36.2 (1997)

Economy - overview

Over the past 30 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, fueling a large balance of payments deficit that posed a challenge for policymakers. 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. The higher rate attracted international capital inflows, which strengthened the currency and housing market while 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 pulled out of recession in 2009, and achieved 2%-3% growth between 2011 to 2014. Nevertheless, key trade sectors remain vulnerable to weak external demand and lower commodity prices. In the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes, the government has continued programs to expand export markets, develop capital markets, invest in innovation, raise productivity growth, and develop infrastructure, while easing its fiscal austerity.

Exchange rates

New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -

1.206 (2014 est.)

1.2187 (2013 est.)

1.23 (2012 est.)

1.263 (2011 est.)

1.3874 (2010 est.)

Exports

$40.21 billion (2014 est.)

$39.94 billion (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

dairy products, meat and edible offal, logs and wood articles, fruit, crude oil, wine

Exports - partners

China 20%, Australia 17.5%, US 9.3%, Japan 5.9% (2014)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

note

this is the fiscal year for tax purposes

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

28.4%

government consumption

18.7%

household consumption

58.8%

imports of goods and services

-27.8%

investment in fixed capital

21.2%

investment in inventories

0.7%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

3.8%

industry

26.6%

services

69.6% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$35,200 (2014 est.)

$34,000 (2013 est.)

$33,300 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.2% (2014 est.)

2.2% (2013 est.)

2.4% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$198.1 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$158.9 billion (2014 est.)

$153.9 billion (2013 est.)

$150.5 billion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

20% of GDP (2014 est.)

19.7% of GDP (2013 est.)

18% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$40.71 billion (2014 est.)

$38.81 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum and products, mechanical machinery, vehicles and parts, electrical machinery, textiles

Imports - partners

China 17%, Australia 12.3%, US 11.7%, Japan 6.7%, Germany 4.8%, South Korea 4.5%, Malaysia 4.3% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

2.2% (2014 est.)

Industries

agriculture, forestry, fishing, logs and wood articles, manufacturing, mining, construction, financial services, real estate services, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.2% (2014 est.)

1.1% (2013 est.)

Labor force

2.452 million (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

7%

industry

19%

services

74% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$79.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$71.66 billion (31 December 2011)

$71.83 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

35.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

35.3% of GDP (2013 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$18.96 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$16.32 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$105.1 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$97.74 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$59.08 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$85.64 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$81.38 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$271.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$275.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$33.65 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$32.71 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

41.1% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.4% (2014 est.)

6.2% (2013 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

37.89 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

35,520 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

105,900 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

39,410 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

81.4 million bbl (1 January 2014 est.)

Electricity - consumption

40.45 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

30.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

54% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

15.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

9.722 million kW (2011 est.)

Electricity - production

42.91 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

4.718 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

4.765 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

29.42 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

152,800 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

2,471 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

37,620 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

117,600 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned Television New Zealand operates multiple TV networks and state-owned Radio New Zealand operates 3 radio networks and an external shortwave radio service to the South Pacific region; a small number of national commercial TV and radio stations and many regional commercial television and radio stations are available; cable and satellite TV systems are available (2008)

Internet country code

.nz

Internet users

percent of population

91.5% (2014 est.)

total

4 million

Radio broadcast stations

AM 124, FM 290, shortwave 4 (1998)

Telephone system

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons

general assessment

excellent domestic and international systems

international

country code - 64; the Southern Cross submarine cable system provides links to Australia, Fiji, and the US; satellite earth stations - 8 (1 Inmarsat - Pacific Ocean, 7 other) (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

42 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

1.85 million

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

116 (2014 est.)

total

5.1 million

Television broadcast stations

41 (plus about 700 repeaters) (1997)

Airports

123 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

12

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

23

over 3,047 m

2

total

39

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

48 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

33

total

84

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 3, cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 1, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 2

foreign-owned

7 (Germany 2, Hong Kong 1, South Africa 1, Switzerland 2, UK 1)

registered in other countries

5 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Cook Islands 2, Samoa 1) (2010)

total

15

Pipelines

condensate 331 km; gas 1,936 km; liquid petroleum gas 172 km; oil 288 km; refined products 198 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

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

Railways

narrow gauge

4,128 km 1.067-m gauge (503 km electrified) (2014)

total

4,128 km

Roadways

paved

62,759 km (includes 199 km of expressways)

total

94,902 km

unpaved

32,143 km (2012)

Manpower available for military service

females age 16-49

1,003,429 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,019,798

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

828,779 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

843,526

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

28,825 (2010 est.)

male

30,846

Military branches

New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF): New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force (Te Hokowhitu o Kahurangi, RNZAF) (2013)

Military expenditures

1.13% of GDP (2012)

1.12% of GDP (2011)

1.13% of GDP (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; 3 years of secondary education required; must be a citizen of NZ, the UK, Australia, Canada, or the US, and resident of NZ for the previous 5 years (2013)

Disputes - international

asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)

Illicit drugs

significant consumer of amphetamines