New Zealand

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

36 (2000)

Internet country code

.nz

Internet users

1.34 million (2000)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 124, FM 290, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios

3.75 million (1997)

Telephone system

general assessment: excellent domestic and international systems domestic: NA international: submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

1.84 million (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

588,000 (1998)

Television broadcast stations

41 (plus 52 medium-power repeaters and over 650 low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

1.926 million (1997)

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $19.2 billion expenditures: $19.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)

Currency

New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Currency code

NZD

Debt - external

$30.8 billion (2000 est.)

Economic aid - donor

ODA, $123 million (1995)

Economy - overview

Since 1984 the government has accomplished major economic restructuring, moving an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market access toward a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes, broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, and contained inflationary pressures. Inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world. Per capita GDP has been moving up toward the levels of the big West European economies. New Zealand's heavy dependence on trade leaves its growth prospects vulnerable to economic performance in Asia, Europe, and the US. With the FY00/01 budget pushing up pension and other public outlays, the government's ability to meet fiscal targets will depend on sustained economic growth.

Electricity - consumption

35.295 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - production

37.952 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 30.49% hydro: 61.42% nuclear: 0% other: 8.09% (1999)

Exchange rates

New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.2502 (January 2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996)

Exports

$14.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Exports - commodities

dairy products, meat, fish, wool, forestry products, manufactures

Exports - partners

Australia 22%, US 14%, Japan 13%, UK 7% (1999)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP

purchasing power parity - $67.6 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 8% industry: 23% services: 69% (1999)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $17,700 (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.6% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 0.3% highest 10%: 29.8% (1991 est.)

Imports

$14.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, consumer goods, plastics

Imports - partners

Australia 24%, US 17%, Japan 12%, UK 4% (1999)

Industrial production growth rate

6.2% (2000)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.4% (2000 est.)

Labor force

1.88 million (2000)

Labor force - by occupation

services 65%, industry 25%, agriculture 10% (1995)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

6.3% (2000 est.)

Area

total: 268,680 sq km land: 268,670 sq km water: 10 sq km note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands

Area - comparative

about the size of Colorado

Climate

temperate with sharp regional contrasts

Coastline

15,134 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Cook 3,764 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by species introduced from outside

Environment - international agreements

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Antarctic Seals, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation

Geographic coordinates

41 00 S, 174 00 E

Geography - note

about 80% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world

Irrigated land

2,850 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 9% permanent crops: 5% permanent pastures: 50% forests and woodland: 28% other: 8% (1993 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

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

Natural resources

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

Terrain

predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains

Administrative divisions

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

Wellington

Constitution

consists of a series of legal documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments and The Constitution Act 1986 which is the principal formal charter

Country name

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

Dependent areas

Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Carol MOSELEY-BRAUN 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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador James Brendan BOLGER chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Silvia CARTWRIGHT (since 4 April 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Helen CLARK (since 10 December 1999) and Deputy Prime Minister Jim ANDERTON (since 10 December 1999) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general for a three-year term; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general

FAX

[1] (202) 667-5227 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[64] (4) 478-1701 consulate(s) 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

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

26 September 1907 (from UK)

International organization participation

ABEDA, ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNTAET, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Judicial branch

High Court; Court of Appeal

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (120 seats; members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 27 November 1999 (next must be called by November 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NZLP 49, NP 39, Alliance 10, ACT New Zealand 9, Green Party 7, NZFP 5, UNZ 1 note: NZLP and Alliance formed the government coalition; the National Party became the opposition party

National holiday

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

Political parties and leaders

ACT, New Zealand [Richard PREBBLE]; Alliance (a coalition of the New Labor Party, Democratic Party, New Zealand Liberal Party, and Mana Motuhake) [Jim ANDERTON]; Green Party [Jeanette FITZSIMONS and Rod DONALD]; National Party or NP [Jenny SHIPLEY]; New Zealand First Party or NZFP [Winston PETERS]; New Zealand Labor Party or NZLP [Helen CLARK]; United New Zealand or UNZ [Peter DUNNE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand withdrew from a number of defense alliances during the 1970s and 1980s. In recent years the government has sought to address longstanding native Maori grievances.

Military branches

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

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$883 million (FY97/98)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.1% (FY97/98)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 1,000,102 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 841,915 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - military age

20 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 26,480 (2001 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 22.36% (male 442,738; female 421,462) 15-64 years: 66.11% (male 1,281,781; female 1,272,674) 65 years and over: 11.53% (male 193,895; female 251,579) (2001 est.)

Birth rate

14.28 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate

7.56 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Ethnic groups

New Zealand European 74.5%, Maori 9.7%, other European 4.6%, Pacific Islander 3.8%, Asian and others 7.4%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.06% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,200 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate

6.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Languages

English (official), Maori

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 77.99 years male: 75.01 years female: 81.1 years (2001 est.)

Literacy

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

Nationality

noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand

Net migration rate

4.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Population

3,864,129 (July 2001 est.)

Population growth rate

1.14% (2001 est.)

Religions

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

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.8 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Disputes - international

territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)

Airports

111 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 44 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 3 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 67 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 42 (2000 est.)

Highways

total: 92,200 km paved: 53,568 km (including at least 144 km of expressways) unpaved: 38,632 km (1996)

Merchant marine

total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 72,389 GRT/109,018 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 2, railcar carrier 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)

Pipelines

petroleum products 160 km; natural gas 1,000 km; liquefied petroleum gas or LPG 150 km

Ports and harbors

Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington

Railways

total: 3,913 km narrow gauge: 3,913 km 1.067-m gauge (519 km electrified) (1999)

Waterways

1,609 km note: of little importance in satisfying total transportation requirements