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.

Geographic coordinates: 41 00 S 174 00 E

Area
Rank: 76
Land: 267,710 km²
Water: NA
Comparative: about the size of Colorado

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 15,134 km

Maritime claims
Contiguous zone: 24 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts

Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains

Elevation
Extremes highest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m

Natural resources: natural gas iron ore sand coal timber hydropower gold limestone

Land use
Permanent crops: 0.27%
Other: 97.98% (2011)

Irrigated land: 6,193 km² (2007)

Total renewable water resources: 327 km³ (2011)

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

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

Population: 4,365,113 (July 2013 est.)
Rank: 126
Growth rate: 0.85% (2013 est.)
Growth rate rank: 131
Below poverty line: NA%

Nationality
Adjective: New Zealand

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

Languages: English (official) 91.2% Maori (official) 3.9% Samoan 2.1% French 1.3% Hindi 1.1% Yue 1.1% Northern Chinese 1% other 12.9% New Zealand Sign Language (official)

Religions: Protestant 38.6% (Anglican 13.8% Presbyterian Congregational and Reformed 10% Christian (no denomination specified) 4.6% Methodist 3% Pentecostal 2% Baptist 1.4% other Christian 3.8%) Roman Catholic 12.6% Maori Christian 1.6% Hindu 1.6% Buddhist 1.3% other religions 2.2% none 32.2% other or unidentified 9.9% (2006 Census)

Age structure
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.)

Dependency ratios
Youth dependency ratio: 30.7 %
Elderly dependency ratio: 21.2 %
Potential support ratio: 4.7 (2013)

Median age
Male: 36.6 years
Female: 38.2 years (2013 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.85% (2013 est.)
Rank: 131

Birth rate: 13.48 births/1000 population (2013 est.)
Rank: 149

Death rate: 7.25 deaths/1000 population (2013 est.)
Rank: 123

Net migration rate: 2.24 migrant(s)/1000 population (2013 est.)
Rank: 40

Urbanization
Rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major urban areas
Population: Auckland 1.36 million; WELLINGTON (capital) 391,000 (2009)

Environment
Current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by invasive species
International agreements signed but not ratified: Antarctic Seals Marine Life Conservation

Sex ratio
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.)

Mothers mean age at first birth: 27.7 (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate
Rank: 184
Male: 5.22 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 4.06 deaths/1000 live births (2013 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Rank: 25
Male: 78.79 years
Female: 82.94 years (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.06 children born/woman (2013 est.)
Rank: 120

Contraceptive prevalence rate: 75%

Drinking water source:

Physicians density: 2.74 physicians/1000 population (2010)

Hospital bed density: 2.3 beds/1000 population (2011)

Hivaids
Adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2009 est.)
Adult prevalence rate rank: 151
People living with hivaids: 2,500 (2009 est.)
People living with hivaids rank: 132
Deaths: fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
Deaths rank: 129

Obesity adult prevalence rate: 28.3% (2008)
Rank: 34

Education expenditures: 7.2% of GDP (2010)
Rank: 22

Literacy
Total population: 99%
Male: 99%
Female: 99% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Male: 19 years
Female: 20 years (2010)

Country name
Conventional short form: New Zealand
Abbreviation: NZ

Government type: parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Capital
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

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

Dependent areas: (1) Cook Islands Niue Tokelau

Independence: 26 September 1907 (from the UK)

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)

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

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

International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
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

Legislative branch: 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

Judicial branch: 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

Political parties and leaders: United Future New Zealand [Peter DUNNE]

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) 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

Diplomatic representation
In the us chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW Washington DC 20,008
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 328-4,800
In the us FAX: [1] (202) 667-5,227
In the us consulate general: New York Pago Pago (American Samoa) Santa Monica (CA)
From the us embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace Thorndon Wellington
From the us mailing address: P. O. Box 1190 Wellington; PSC 467 Box 1 APO AP 96,531-1034
From the us telephone: [64] (4) 462-6,000
From the us FAX: [64] (4) 499-0490
From the us consulate 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

National symbols: Southern Cross constellation (four five-pointed stars); kiwi (bird)

National anthem
Lyrics and music: Thomas BRACKEN [English] Thomas Henry SMITH [Maori]/John Joseph WOODS

Economy overview: 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.

Real gdp purchasing power parity:
Rank: 64

Real gdp growth rate:
Rank: 121

Real gdp per capita:
Rank: 48

Gross national saving:
Rank: 106

Gdp composition by end use
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%: (2012 est.)

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Industry: 25.3%
Services: 69.7% (2012 est.)

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

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

Industrial production growth rate: 1.7% (2012 est.)
Rank: 109

Labor force: 2.381 million (2012 est.)
Rank: 114
By occupation industry: 19%
By occupation services: 74% (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate: 6.5% (2011 est.)
Rank: 75

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share
Highest 10: NA%

Distribution of family income gini index: 36.2 (1997)
Rank: 84

Budget
Expenditures: $76.37 billion (2012 est.)
Surplus or deficit: -3.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 140

Taxes and other revenues: 41.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
Rank: 38

Public debt: 35.4% of GDP (2011 est.)
Rank: 94

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

Inflation rate consumer prices: 4% (2011 est.)
Rank: 17

Central bank discount rate: 5% (31 December 2008)
Rank: 70

Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.11% (31 December 2011 est.)
Rank: 140

Stock of narrow money: $26.26 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Rank: 60

Stock of broad money: $145.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Rank: 46

Stock of domestic credit: $241.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Rank: 37

Market value of publicly traded shares:
Rank: 56

Current account balance: $-6.686 billion (2011 est.)
Rank: 172

Exports: $38.38 billion (2011 est.)
Rank: 63
Commodities: dairy products meat wood and wood products fish machinery
Partners: Australia 21.1% China 15% US 9.2% Japan 7% (2012)

Imports: $35.61 billion (2011 est.)
Rank: 62
Commodities: machinery and equipment vehicles aircraft petroleum electronics textiles plastics
Partners: China 16.4% Australia 15.2% US 9.3% Japan 6.5% Singapore 4.8% Germany 4.4% (2012)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $17.01 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Rank: 60

Debt external: $84.04 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Rank: 51

Stock of direct foreign investment at home: $73.64 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Rank: 43

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad: $59.08 billion (31 December 2009)
Rank: 34

Exchange rates:

Electricity
Production: 43.54 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Production rank: 56
Consumption: 40.76 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Consumption rank: 52
Exports: 0 kWh (2012 est.)
Exports rank: 115
Imports: 0 kWh (2012 est.)
Imports rank: 116
Installed generating capacity: 9.679 million kW (2010 est.)
Installed generating capacity rank: 58
Generation sources fossil fuels: 31.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels rank: 178
Generation sources nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Generation sources nuclear rank: 156
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 54.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity rank: 38
Generation sources other renewable sources: 14% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Generation sources other renewable sources rank: 15

Petroleum
Petroleum total petroleum production: 48,190 bbl/day (2012 est.)
Petroleum total petroleum production rank: 65
Crude oil exports: 47,290 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil exports rank: 47
Crude oil imports: 99,810 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil imports rank: 49
Crude oil proven reserves: 81.4 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
Crude oil proven reserves rank: 74

Refined petroleum
Products production: 109,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Products production rank: 73
Products consumption: 148,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Products consumption rank: 67
Products exports: 2,471 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Products exports rank: 98
Products imports: 41,170 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Products imports rank: 80

Natural gas
Production: 4.59 billion m³ (2012 est.)
Production rank: 52
Consumption: 4.537 billion m³ (2010 est.)
Consumption rank: 64
Exports: 0 m³ (2012 est.)
Exports rank: 160
Imports: 0 m³ (2012 est.)
Imports rank: 112
Proven reserves: 29.42 billion m³ (1 January 2013 es)
Proven reserves rank: 69

Carbon dioxide emissions
From consumption of energy: 37.17 million Mt (2011 est.)
From consumption of energy rank: 71

Telephones
Main lines in use: 1.88 million (2012)
Main lines in use rank: 61
Mobile cellular: 4.922 million (2012)
Mobile cellular rank: 113

Telephone system
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)

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
Hosts: 3.026 million (2012)
Hosts rank: 34
Users: 3.4 million (2009)
Users rank: 62

Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2012)
Rank: 99

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)

Airports: 123 (2013)
Rank: 48
With paved runways over 3047 m: 2
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 12
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 23
With paved runways under 914 m: 1 (2013)
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 3
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 33
With unpaved runways: 48 (2013)

Pipelines: condensate 331 km; gas 1936 km; liquid petroleum gas 172 km; oil 288 km; refined products 198 km (2013)

Railways
Rank: 41
Narrow gauge: 4,128 km 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways
Rank: 50
Paved: 62,759 km (includes 199 km of expressways)
Unpaved: 32,143 km (2012)

Merchant marine
Rank: 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)

Ports and terminals: Auckland Lyttelton Manukau Harbor Marsden Point Tauranga Wellington

Disputes international: asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)

Illicit drugs: significant consumer of amphetamines