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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

state-owned Television New Zealand operates multiple television networks while 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 television and radio stations and a large number of regional commercial television and radio stations are available; cable and satellite TV systems are accessible (2008)

Internet country code [time series]

.nz

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

2.47 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 33

Internet users [time series]

3.4 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 62

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

1.87 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 58

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

4.7 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 99

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Central bank discount rate [time series]

2.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 90 5% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

10.39% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 12.21% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$4.504 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 -$3.693 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$64.33 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $62.47 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

36.2 (1997) country comparison to the world: 83

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 1.7% decline in 2009, but pulled out of recession late in the year, and achieved 2.1% growth in 2010. 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.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

39.24 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

42.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

Exchange rates [time series]

New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4015 (2010), 1.6002 (2009), 1.4151 (2008), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$33.24 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $25.35 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish, machinery

Exports - partners [time series]

Australia 23.36%, US 9.64%, China 9.21%, Japan 7.1%, UK 4.21% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$138 billion (2010 est.)

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

$119.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $116.8 billion (2009 est.) $118.8 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 4.6% industry: 24% services: 71.4% (2010 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$28,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $27,700 (2009 est.) $28,500 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 -1.7% (2009 est.) -0.2% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$30.24 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $23.95 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, electronics, textiles, plastics

Imports - partners [time series]

Australia 18.4%, China 15.09%, US 10.45%, Japan 7.24%, Germany 4.16%, Singapore 4.12% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 2.1% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

19.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Labor force [time series]

2.32 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 7% industry: 19% services: 74% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$67.06 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 57 $24.17 billion (31 December 2008) $47.45 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

4.32 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Natural gas - imports [time series]

NA (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

4.305 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

33.98 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68

Oil - consumption [time series]

154,100 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Oil - exports [time series]

54,560 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Oil - imports [time series]

143,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Oil - production [time series]

61,150 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

60 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

25.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 22.2% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$17.85 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $15.59 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$118.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $108.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA (31 December 2009) $59.08 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$67.18 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $66.63 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$206.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $180.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$24.15 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 61 $21.81 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate [time series]

6.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 6.2% (2009 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 267,710 sq km country comparison to the world: 75 land: 267,710 sq km water: NA note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands

Area - comparative [time series]

about the size of Colorado

Climate [time series]

temperate with sharp regional contrasts

Coastline [time series]

15,134 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by invasive species

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 2.11 cu km/yr (48%/9%/42%) per capita: 524 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

41 00 S, 174 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

2,850 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 5.54% permanent crops: 6.92% other: 87.54% (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Oceania

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity volcanism: New Zealand experiences significant volcanism on North Island; Ruapehu (elev. 2,797 m, 9,177 ft), 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 [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains

Total renewable water resources [time series]

397 cu km (1995)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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 [time series]

name: Wellington geographic coordinates: 41 28 S, 174 51 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)

Constitution [time series]

consists of a series of legal documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand parliaments, as well as The Constitution Act 1986, which is the principal formal charter; adopted 1 January 1987, effective 1 January 1987

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: New Zealand abbreviation: NZ

Dependent areas [time series]

Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador David HUEBNER 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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael K. MOORE chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800 FAX: [1] (202) 667-5227 consulate(s) general: New York, Santa Monica

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006) head of government: Prime Minister John KEY (since 19 November 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Bill ENGLISH (since 19 November 2008) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) 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

Flag (Flag description) [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

Government - note [time series]

while not an official symbol, the Kiwi, a small native flightless bird, represents New Zealand

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Independence [time series]

26 September 1907 (from the UK)

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; High Court; note - judges appointed by the governor general

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

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 8 November 2008 (next to be held not later than 27 November 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - National Party 44.9%, Labor Party 34%, Green Party 6.7%, NZ First 4%, ACT Party 3.7%, Maori 2.4%, Progressive 0.9%, United Front 0.9%, other 6.6%; seats by party - National Party 58, Labor Party 43, Green Party 9, ACT Party 5, Maori 5, Progressive 1, United Front 1 note: results of 2008 election saw the total number of seats increase to 122

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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

National holiday [time series]

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)

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

ACT New Zealand [Rodney HIDE]; Green Party [Russel NORMAN and Metiria TUREI]; Maori Party [Tariana TURIA and Dr. Pita SHARPLES]; New Zealand National Party [John KEY]; New Zealand First Party or NZ First [Winston PETERS]; New Zealand Labor Party [Phil GOFF]; Jim Anderton's Progressive Party [James (Jim) ANDERTON]; United Future New Zealand [Peter DUNNE]

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

Women's Electoral Lobby or WEL other: apartheid groups; civil rights groups; farmers groups; Maori; nuclear weapons groups; women's rights groups

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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. In 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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,017,575 females age 16-49: 1,003,087 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 840,977 females age 16-49: 828,081 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 30,956 female: 29,236 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF): New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force (Te Hokowhitu o Kahurangi, RNZAF) (2010)

Military expenditures [time series]

1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Military service age and obligation [time series]

17 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed until the age of 18; no conscription (2010)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 20.7% (male 447,174/female 424,522) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 1,404,143/female 1,399,530) 65 years and over: 12.8% (male 244,986/female 293,063) (2010 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

13.81 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Death rate [time series]

7.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

6.2% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 35

Ethnic groups [time series]

European 56.8%, Asian 8%, Maori 7.4%, Pacific islander 4.6%, mixed 9.7%, other 13.5% (2006 Census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

1,400 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 187 male: 5.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages [time series]

English 91.2% (official), Maori 3.9% (official), Samoan 2.1%, French 1.3%, Hindi 1.1%, Yue 1.1%, Northern Chinese 1%, other 12.9%, New Zealand Sign Language (official) note: shares sum to 114.6% due to multiple responses on census (2006 Census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 80.48 years country comparison to the world: 22 male: 78.52 years female: 82.53 years (2010 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 36.8 years male: 36 years female: 37.6 years (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand

Net migration rate [time series]

2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37

Population [time series]

4,252,277 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Population growth rate [time series]

0.901% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Religions [time series]

Anglican 13.8%, Roman Catholic 12.6%, Presbyterian, Congregational, and Reformed 10%, Christian (no denomination specified) 4.6%, Methodist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Baptist 1.4%, other Christian 3.8%, Maori Christian 1.6%, Hindu 1.6%, Buddhist 1.3%, other religions 2.2%, none 32.2%, other or unidentified 9.9% (2006 Census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 19 years male: 19 years female: 20 years (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.048 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.09 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 87% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)

Illicit drugs [time series]

significant consumer of amphetamines

Transportation

Airports [time series]

122 (2010) country comparison to the world: 50

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 40 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 82 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 32 under 914 m: 47 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 14 country comparison to the world: 103 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 7 (Australia 1, Germany 2, Hong Kong 1, South Africa 1, Switzerland 2) registered in other countries: 6 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Cook Islands 1, France 1, Samoa 1, UK 1) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

condensate 331 km; gas 1,838 km; liquid petroleum gas 172 km; oil 288 km; refined products 198 km (2009)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

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

Railways [time series]

total: 4,128 km country comparison to the world: 39 narrow gauge: 4,128 km 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 93,911 km country comparison to the world: 50 paved: 61,879 km (includes 172 km of expressways) unpaved: 32,032 km (2009)