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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio) [time series]

broadcast stations: AM 64, FM 2, shortwave 0 radios: NA

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

2,110,000 telephones; excellent international and domestic systems local: NA intercity: NA international: submarine cables extend to Australia and Fiji; 2 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth stations

Broadcast media (Television) [time series]

broadcast stations: 14 televisions: NA

Defense Forces

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

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

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

exchange rate conversion - $792 million, 2% of GDP (FY90/91) NICARAGUA

Manpower availability [time series]

males age 15-49 883,668; males fit for military service 742,871; males reach military age (20) annually 27,162 (1995 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

accounts for about 9% of GDP and about 11% of the work force; livestock predominates - wool, meat, dairy products all export earners; crops - wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; surplus producer of farm products; fish catch reached a record 503,000 metric tons in 1988

Budget [time series]

revenues: $18.94 billion expenditures: $18.82 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95) note: surplus $120 million (FY94/95)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents

Economic aid [time series]

donor: ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $526 million

Electricity [time series]

capacity: 7,520,000 kW production: 30.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 8,401 kWh (1993)

Exchange rates [time series]

New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5601 (January 1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990)

Exports [time series]

$11.2 billion (1994) commodities: wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fish, cheese, chemicals, forestry products, fruits and vegetables, manufactures partners: Australia 20%, Japan 15%, US 12%, UK 6%

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$38.5 billion (September 1994)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

Imports [time series]

$10.4 billion (1994) commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, consumer goods partners: Australia 21%, US 18%, Japan 16%, UK 6%

Industrial production growth rate (Industrial production) [time series]

growth rate 1.9% (1990); accounts for about 20% of GDP

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.6% (FY93/94)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (National product) [time series]

GDP - purchasing power parity - $56.4 billion (1994 est.)

Real GDP per capita (National product per capita) [time series]

$16,640 (1994 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (National product real growth rate) [time series]

6.2% (1994)

Economic overview (Overview) [time series]

Since 1984 the government has been reorienting an agrarian economy dependent on a guaranteed British market to a more industrialized, open free market economy that can compete on the global scene. The government has hoped that dynamic growth would boost real incomes, broaden and deepen the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, reduce inflationary pressures, and permit the expansion of welfare benefits. The initial results were mixed: inflation is down from double-digit levels, but growth was sluggish in 1988-91. In 1992-93, growth picked up to 3% annually, a sign that the new economic approach was beginning to pay off. Business confidence strengthened in 1994, and export demand picked up in the Asia-Pacific region, resulting in 6.2% growth. Inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world.

Unemployment rate [time series]

7.5% (December 1994)

Geography

Area [time series]

total area: 268,680 sq km land area: 268,670 sq km comparative area: about the size of Colorado note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands

Climate [time series]

temperate with sharp regional contrasts

Coastline [time series]

15,134 km

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by species introduced from outside natural hazards: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)

Irrigated land [time series]

2,800 sq km (1989 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 53% forest and woodland: 38% other: 7%

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Oceania

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural resources [time series]

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

Note [time series]

about 80% of the population lives in cities

Terrain [time series]

predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains

Government

Abbreviation [time series]

Administrative divisions [time series]

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 [time series]

Wellington

Constitution [time series]

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

Dependent areas [time series]

Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau

Digraph [time series]

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation in US) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Lionel John WOOD chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800 consulate(s) general: Apia (Western Samoa), Los Angeles

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Catherine TIZARD (since 12 December 1990) head of government: Prime Minister James BOLGER (since 29 October 1990); Deputy Prime Minister Donald McKINNON (since 2 November 1990) cabinet: Executive Council; appointed by the governor general on recommendation of the prime minister

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[64] (4) 472-3537 consulate(s) general: Auckland

Flag [time series]

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

Legislative branch (House of Representatives) [time series]

(commonly called Parliament) elections last held 6 November 1993 (next to be held NA November 1996); results - NP 35.2%, NZLP 34.7%, Alliance 18.3%, New Zealand First 8.3%; seats - (99 total) NP 50, NZLP 45, Alliance 2, New Zealand First Party 2

Independence [time series]

26 September 1907 (from UK)

Judicial branch [time series]

High Court, Court of Appeal

Legal system [time series]

based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for Maoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral

International organization participation (Member of) [time series]

ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MTCR, NAM (guest), OECD, PCA, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Country name (Names) [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: New Zealand

National holiday [time series]

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

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

National Party (NP, government), James BOLGER; New Zealand Labor Party (NZLP, opposition), Helen CLARK; Alliance, Sandra LEE; Democratic Party, Dick RYAN; New Zealand Liberal Party, Hanmish MACINTYRE and Gilbert MYLES; Green Party, no official leader; Mana Motuhake, Martin RATA; Socialist Unity Party (SUP, pro-Soviet), Kenneth DOUGLAS; New Zealand First, Winston PETERS note: the New Labor, Democratic, and Mana Motuhake parties formed a coalition called the Alliance Party, Sandra LEE, president, in September 1991; the Green Party joined the coalition in May 1992

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Government type (Type) [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

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 telephone: [64] (4) 472-2068

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 23% (female 381,027; male 401,285) 15-64 years: 65% (female 1,109,402; male 1,111,079) 65 years and over: 12% (female 234,339; male 170,145) (July 1995 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

15.14 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate [time series]

8.03 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

European 88%, Maori 8.9%, Pacific Islander 2.9%, other 0.2%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

8.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1,603,500 (June 1991) by occupation: services 66.6%, industry 22.6%, agriculture 10.8% (1992)

Languages [time series]

English (official), Maori

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 76.65 years male: 73.08 years female: 80.42 years (1995 est.)

Literacy [time series]

age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) total population: 99%

Nationality [time series]

noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand

Net migration rate [time series]

-1.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Population [time series]

3,407,277 (July 1995 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.52% (1995 est.)

Religions [time series]

Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none 33% (1986)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.99 children born/woman (1995 est.)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

total: 102 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 2 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 28 with paved runways under 914 m: 41 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 21

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 92,648 km paved: 49,547 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone 43,101 km

Waterways (Inland waterways) [time series]

1,609 km; of little importance to transportation

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 165,504 GRT/218,699 DWT ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 2, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 3, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5

Pipelines [time series]

petroleum products 160 km; natural gas 1,000 km; condensate (liquified petroleum gas - LPG) 150 km

Ports [time series]

Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington

Railways (Railroads) [time series]

total: 4,716 km narrow gauge: 4,716 km 1.067-m gauge (113 km electrified; 274 km double track)