Page last updated on February 2, 2014
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.
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia
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
about the size of Colorado
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
temperate with sharp regional contrasts
predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m
natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone
arable land: 1.76%
permanent crops: 0.27%
other: 97.98% (2011)
total: 4.75 cu km/yr (23%/5%/72%)
per capita: 1,200 cu m/yr (2010)
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
deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by invasive species
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
almost 90% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world
noun: New Zealander(s)
adjective: New Zealand
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 people were able to identify more than one ethnic group (2013 est.)
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.)
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.)
4,365,113 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
0-14 years: 20.1% (male 449,850/female 427,934)
15-24 years: 14.1% (male 314,262/female 299,693)
25-54 years: 40.6% (male 887,060/female 885,421)
55-64 years: 11.3% (male 240,854/female 250,635)
65 years and over: 14% (male 280,569/female 328,835) (2013 est.)
total dependency ratio: 51.9 %
youth dependency ratio: 30.7 %
elderly dependency ratio: 21.2 %
potential support ratio: 4.7 (2013)
total: 37.4 years
male: 36.6 years
female: 38.2 years (2013 est.)
0.85% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
13.48 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
7.25 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
2.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
urban population: 86% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Auckland 1.36 million; WELLINGTON (capital) 391,000 (2009)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
15 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 145
total: 4.65 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 184
male: 5.22 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
total population: 80.82 years
country comparison to the world: 25
male: 78.79 years
female: 82.94 years (2013 est.)
2.06 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
75%
note: percent of women aged 20-49 (1995)
10.1% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 24
2.74 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
2.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
2,500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
28.3% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 34
7.2% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 22
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
total: 20 years
male: 19 years
female: 20 years (2010)
total: 17.7%
country comparison to the world: 69
male: 17.3%
female: 18.1% (2012)
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: New Zealand
abbreviation: NZ
parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
name: Wellington
geographic coordinates: 41 18 S, 174 47 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)
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
Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau
26 September 1907 (from the UK)
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 Act 1986 (the principal formal charter) adopted and effective 1 January 1987; amended 1999, 2005 (2013)
common law system, based on English model, with special legislation and land courts for the Maori
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal
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
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
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 26 November 2011 (next to be held not later than November 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - National Party 48%, Labor Party 27.1%, Green Party 10.6%, NZ First 6.8%, Maori 1.4%, ACT Party 1.1%, Mana 1%, United Future 0.6%, other 3.43%; seats by party - National Party 60, Labor Party 34, Green Party 13, NZ First 8, Maori 3, ACT Party 1, Mana 1, United Future 1
note: results of 2011 election saw the total number of seats decline to 121
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices including the chief justice )
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
ACT New Zealand [Rodney HIDE]
Women's Electoral Lobby or WEL
other: apartheid groups; civil rights groups; farmers groups; Maori; nuclear weapons groups; women's rights groups
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), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael Kenneth MOORE (since 5 August 2010)
chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800
FAX: [1] (202) 667-5227
consulate(s) general: New York, Pago Pago (American Samoa), Santa Monica (CA)
chief of mission: Ambassador David HUEBNER (since 4 December 2009); note - also accredited to Samoa
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
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
Southern Cross constellation (four, five-pointed stars); kiwi (bird)
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
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 2% decline in 2009, but pulled out of recession late in the year, and achieved roughly 2% per year growth in 2010-12. 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.
$130.9 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$167.5 billion (2012 est.)
2.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
$29,500 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
14.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
household consumption: 60.3%
government consumption: 20.1%
investment in fixed capital: 18.9%
investment in inventories: 0.5%
exports of goods and services: 29.1%
imports of goods and services: -29%
agriculture: 5%
industry: 25.3%
services: 69.7% (2012 est.)
dairy products, lamb and mutton; wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef; fish
food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining
1.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
2.381 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
agriculture: 7%
industry: 19%
services: 74% (2006 est.)
6.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
36.2 (1997)
country comparison to the world: 84
revenues: $69.92 billion
expenditures: $76.37 billion (2012 est.)
41.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
-3.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
38.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
1 April - 31 March
note: this is the fiscal year for tax purposes
1.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
2.5% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 70
5.82% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
$29.87 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
$154.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$265.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$71.66 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 56
$-8.508 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
$37.87 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish, machinery
Australia 21.1%, China 15%, US 9.2%, Japan 7% (2012)
$37.04 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
machinery and equipment, vehicles, aircraft, petroleum, electronics, textiles, plastics
China 16.4%, Australia 15.2%, US 9.3%, Japan 6.5%, Singapore 4.8%, Germany 4.4% (2012)
$17.58 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
$85.18 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
$81.36 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$59.08 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 34
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -
43.54 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
40.76 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
9.679 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
31.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
54.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
14% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
48,190 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
47,290 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
99,810 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
81.4 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 74
109,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
148,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
2,471 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
41,170 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
4.59 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
4.537 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
29.42 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 69
37.17 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
1.88 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 61
4.922 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 113
general assessment: excellent domestic and international systems
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons
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)
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)
3.026 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 34
3.4 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 62
123 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 48
total: 39
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 23
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
total: 84
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 33
under 914 m:
condensate 331 km; gas 1,936 km; liquid petroleum gas 172 km; oil 288 km; refined products 198 km (2013)
total: 4,128 km
country comparison to the world: 41
narrow gauge: 4,128 km 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) (2008)
total: 94,160 km
country comparison to the world: 50
paved: 62,759 km (includes 199 km of expressways)
unpaved: 32,143 km (2012)
total: 15
country comparison to the world: 101
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)
major seaport(s): Auckland, Lyttelton, Manukau Harbor, Marsden Point, Tauranga, Wellington
New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF): New Zealand Army; Royal New Zealand Navy; Royal New Zealand Air Force (Te Hokowhitu o Kahurangi, RNZAF) (2013)
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)
males age 16-49: 1,019,798
females age 16-49: 1,003,429 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 843,526
females age 16-49: 828,779 (2010 est.)
male: 30,846
female: 28,825 (2010 est.)
1.13% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 278
asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)
