The 1996 CIA World Factbook page on New Zealand

From: The CIA'sTHE WORLD FACTBOOK 1996

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New Zealand

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Map

Location: 41 00 S, 174 00 E -- Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia

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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

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Geography

Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 S, 174 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
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
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
International disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)
Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts
Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains
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: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 53%
forest and woodland: 38%
other: 7%
Irrigated land: 2,800 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
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; volcanic activity
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, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: about 80% of the population lives in cities

People

Population: 3,547,983 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23% (male 420,900; female 400,159)
15-64 years: 65% (male 1,161,522; female 1,154,536)
65 years and over: 12% (male 177,182; female 233,684) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.12% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15.78 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.72 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 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
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.01 years
male: 73.96 years
female: 80.21 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.01 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: New Zealander(s)
adjective: New Zealand
Ethnic divisions: European 88%, Maori 8.9%, Pacific Islander 2.9%, other 0.2%
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: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 99%

Government

Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: New Zealand
abbreviation: NZ
Data code: NZ
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
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 (since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General Sir Michael HARDIE BOYS (since 21 March 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister James BOLGER (since 29 October 1990) and Deputy Prime Minister Donald McKINNON (since 2 November 1990) were appointed by the governor general
cabinet: Executive Council was appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Representatives (commonly called Parliament): elections last held 6 November 1993 (next must be called by 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
Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: National Party (NP, government), James BOLGER; New Zealand Labor Party (NZLP, opposition), Helen CLARK; Alliance, Jim ANDERTON; Democratic Party, Dick RYAN; New Zealand Liberal Party, Hanmish MACINTYRE and Gilbert MYLES; Green Party, no official leader; Mana Motuhake, Sandra LEE; Socialist Unity Party (SUP, pro-Soviet), leader NA; New Zealand First, Winston PETERS; 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 Democrats, Graeme LEE; Christian Heritage Party (CH), Rev. Graham CAPILL
note: the New Zealand Liberal, New Labor, Democratic, and Mana Motuhake parties formed a coalition called the Alliance Party in September 1991; the Green Party joined the coalition in May 1992; the National Party government formed a coalition with the United New Zealand Party in February 1996; the coalition will be valid through the 1996 elections
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, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MTCR, NAM (guest), OECD, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
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
US diplomatic representation:
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: 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

Economy

Economic overview: Since 1984 the government has been reorienting an agrarian economy dependent on a guaranteed British market toward 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. Growth continued strong in 1995, and inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world. The government announced its first budget surplus in 16 years in FY94/95 and forecasts a surplus of $5.0 billion in FY97/98. The government intends to use the surplus to reduce the debt, increase social spending, and cut taxes - by $1.35 billion over two years beginning in 1996. Per capita GDP now is up to the levels of the big West European economies.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $62.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $18,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 7.3%
industry: 25.9%
services: 66.8% (1990)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (FY95/96)
Labor force: 1,634,500 (September 1995)
by occupation: services 64.6%, industry 25.0%, agriculture 10.4% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 6.1% (October 1995)
Budget:
revenues: $22.18 billion
expenditures: $20.28 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%
Electricity:
capacity: 7,520,000 kW
production: 30.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 8,401 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, meat, dairy products; fish catch reached a record 503,000 metric tons in 1988
Exports: $13.41 billion (1995)
commodities: wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fish, cheese, chemicals, forestry products, fruits and vegetables, manufactures
partners: Australia 20%, Japan 15%, US 12%, UK 6%
Imports: $13.62 billion (1995)
commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, consumer goods
partners: Australia 21%, US 18%, Japan 16%, UK 6%
External debt: $38.5 billion (September 1994)
Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $98 million (1993)
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138 (January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Transportation

Railways:
total: 3,973 km
narrow gauge: 3,973 km 1.067-m gauge (504 km electrified)
Highways:
total: 93,348 km
paved: 54,142 km (including 141 km of expressways)
unpaved: 39,206 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 1,609 km; of little importance to transportation
Pipelines: petroleum products 160 km; natural gas 1,000 km; condensate (liquefied petroleum gas - LPG) 150 km
Ports: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington
Merchant marine:
total: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 162,220 GRT/213,749 DWT
ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 3, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 113
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: 31
with paved runways under 914 m: 50
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 21 (1995 est.)

Communications

Telephones: 1.7 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: excellent international and domestic systems
domestic: NA
international: submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satellite earth stations - 2 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.)

Defense

Branches: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 927,212
males fit for military service: 780,976
males reach military age (20) annually: 27,433 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $556 million, 1% of GDP (FY93/94)

New Zealand

Original publicaton at http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/nsolo/wfb-all.htm (June 17, 1997).