New Zealand source: CIA World Factbook 1998 |
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 S, 174 00 E
Map references: Oceania
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
Areacomparative: about the size of Colorado
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 15,134 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts
Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Cook 3,764 m
Natural resources: natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 5%
permanent pastures: 50%
forests and woodland: 28%
other: 8% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 2,850 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity
Environmentcurrent issues: deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by species introduced from outside
Environmentinternational agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geographynote: about 80% of the population lives in cities
Population: 3,625,388 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23% (male 427,776; female 407,074)
15-64 years: 65% (male 1,188,468; female 1,181,002)
65 years and over: 12% (male 182,253; female 238,815) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.04% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 14.89 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 7.6 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.37 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.55 years
male: 74.35 years
female: 80.91 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.91 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: New Zealander(s)
adjective: New Zealand
Ethnic groups: New Zealand European 74.5%, Maori 9.7%, other European 4.6%, Pacific Islander 3.8%, Asian and others 7.4%
Religions: Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none 33% (1986)
Languages: English (official), Maori
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99% (1980 est.)
male: NA%
female: NA%
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: New Zealand
abbreviation: NZ
Data code: NZ
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Wellington
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)
Dependent areas: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau
Independence: 26 September 1907 (from UK)
National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty)
Constitution: 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
Legal system: based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for Maoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented
by Governor General Sir Michael HARDIE BOYS (since 21 March 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Jenny SHIPLEY (since 8 December 1997) and Deputy
Prime Minister Winston PETERS (since 16 December 1996); noteSHIPLEY wrested control
of the National Party in November from Prime Minister BOLGER, replacing BOLGER as prime
minister in December
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation
of the prime minister
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by
the queen; 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
note: the government is a coalition of the National Party and the New Zealand First
Party
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representativescommonly called
Parliament (120 seats; members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies to
serve three-year terms)
elections: last held 12 October 1996 (next must be called by October 1999)
election results: percent of vote by partyNP 34.1%, NZLP 28.3%, NZFP 13.1%,
Alliance 10.1%, ACT 6.17%, UNZ 0.91%; seats by partyNP 44, NZLP 37, NZFP 17,
Alliance 13, ACT 8, UNZ 1
Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: National Party (NP), Jenny SHIPLEY; New Zealand First Party (NZFP), Winston PETERS; New Zealand Labor Party (NZLP, opposition), Helen CLARK; Alliance (a coalition of five small partiesNewLabor Party, Jim ANDERTON; Democratic Party, John WRIGHT; New Zealand Liberal Party, Frank GROVER; Green Party, Jeanette FITZSIMONS; and Mana Motuhake, Sandra LEE), codeputy leaders are Sandra LEE and Jeanette FITZSIMONS; United New Zealand (UNZ), Clive MATTHEWSON; Conservative Party (formerly Right of Centre Party), Trevor ROGERS; Association of Consumers and Taxpayers, New Zealand (ACT), Richard PREBBLE; Christian Coalition (a coalition of the Christian Democrats and Christian Heritage Party), coleaders Graeme LEE and Rev. Graham CAPILL
International organization participation: ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, AsDB, 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, MTCR, NAM (guest), OECD, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNPREDEP, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador-designate James BOLGER
chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
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
FAX: [64] (4) 472-3537
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
Economyoverview: Since 1984 the government has accomplished major economic restructuring, moving an agrarian economy dependent on a 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. Business confidence strengthened in 1994, and export demand picked up in the Asia-Pacific region, resulting in 6.2% growth. Growth continued strong in 1995, but tailed off in 1996-97. Inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world. Per capita GDP has been moving up to the levels of the big West European economies. However, the Asian economic crisis may slow GDP growth in 1998.
GDP: purchasing power parity$63.4 billion (1997 est.)
GDPreal growth rate: 2.5% (1997 est.)
GDPper capita: purchasing power parity$17,700 (1997 est.)
GDPcomposition by sector:
agriculture: 7.3%
industry: 25.9%
services: 66.8% (1990)
Inflation rateconsumer price index: 2% (1997 est.)
Labor force:
total: 1,634,500 (September 1995)
by occupation: services 64.6%, industry 25.0%, agriculture 10.4% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 5.9% (December 1996)
Budget:
revenues: $24.1 billion
expenditures: $21.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricitycapacity: 7.747 million kW (1995)
Electricityproduction: 33.696 billion kWh (1995)
Electricityconsumption per capita: 9,889 kWh (1995)
Agricultureproducts: wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, meat, dairy products; fish catch reached a record 503,000 metric tons in 1988
Exports:
total value: $18.5 billion (1997 est.)
commodities: wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fish, cheese, chemicals, forestry products,
fruits and vegetables, manufactures, dairy products, wood
partners: Australia 19%, Japan 15%, UK 15%, US 12%
Imports:
total value: $19.2 billion (1997 est.)
commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, consumer
goods, plastics
partners: Australia 21%, US 18%, Japan 16%, UK 6%
Debtexternal: $28.5 billion (FY95/96 est.)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $98 million (1993)
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$11.7283 (January 1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 July30 June
Telephones: 1.7 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: excellent international and domestic systems
domestic: NA
international: submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satellite earth
stations2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 64, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 3.215 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 14 (1986 est.)
Televisions: 1.53 million (1992 est.)
Railways:
total: 3,973 km
narrow gauge: 3,973 km 1.067-m gauge (519 km electrified)
Highways:
total: 92,200 km
paved: 53,568 km (including at least 144 km of expressways)
unpaved: 38,632 km (1994 est.)
Waterways: 1,609 km; of little importance to transportation
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
Merchant marine:
total: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 155,478 GRT/195,836 DWT
ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 3, railcar
carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6 (1997 est.)
Airports: 111 (1997 est.)
Airportswith paved runways:
total: 44
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 31
under 914 m: 3 (1997 est.)
Airportswith unpaved runways:
total: 67
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 23
under 914 m: 43 (1997 est.)
Military branches: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force
Military manpowermilitary age: 20 years of age
Military manpoweravailability:
males age 15-49: 938,194 (1998 est.)
Military manpowerfit for military service:
males: 789,542 (1998 est.)
Military manpowerreaching military age annually:
males: 25,612 (1998 est.)
Military expendituresdollar figure: $1.12 billion (FY97/98)
Military expenditurespercent of GDP: 1.05% (FY97/98)
Disputesinternational: territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)
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