What countries border New Zealand?
What is the current weather in New Zealand?
What is New Zealand famous for?
What is the capital of New Zealand?
Capital | Wellington |
Government Type | parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm |
Currency | New Zealand Dollar (NZD) |
Total Area |
103,363 Square Miles 267,710 Square Kilometers |
Location | Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia |
Language | English (official), Maori (official) |
GDP - real growth rate | 2.2% |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | $36,400.00 (USD) |
What is the population of 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% |
Nationality Noun | New Zealander(s) |
Population | 4,925,477 |
Population Growth Rate | 0.85% |
Population in Major Urban Areas | Auckland 1.452 million; WELLINGTON (capital) 410,000 |
Urban Population | 86.200000 |
What type of government does New Zealand have?
Executive Branch |
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Dame Cindy KIRO (since 21 October 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Christopher LUXON (since 27 November 2023); Deputy Prime Minister Winston PETERS (since 27 November 2023) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor-general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor-general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor-general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor-general note: according to Prime Minister LUXON, the Winston PETERS of the New Zealand First Party would be the deputy prime minister in the first half of the term while Act party leader, David SEYMOUR, would take the role for the second half of the term |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal |
Citizenship |
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of New Zealand dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years |
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 |
history: New Zealand has no single constitution document; the Constitution Act 1986, effective 1 January 1987, includes only part of the uncodified constitution; others include a collection of statutes or "acts of Parliament," the Treaty of Waitangi, Orders in Council, letters patent, court decisions, and unwritten conventions amendments: proposed as bill by Parliament or by referendum called either by the government or by citizens; passage of a bill as an act normally requires two separate readings with committee reviews in between to make changes and corrections, a third reading approved by the House of Representatives membership or by the majority of votes in a referendum, and assent of the governor-general; passage of amendments to reserved constitutional provisions affecting the term of Parliament, electoral districts, and voting restrictions requires approval by 75% of the House membership or the majority of votes in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2020 |
Independence | 26 September 1907 (from the UK) |
What environmental issues does New Zealand have?
Overview |
New Zealand is located in the South Pacific, some 1,200 miles southeast of Australia. The country consists of two main islands and a number of smaller islands. The main North and South Islands are separated by Cook Strait, which at its narrowest point is about 15 miles wide. All but 1% of its area is in the two main islands: the North Island with 44,281 square miles, and the less populated South Island with 58,093 square miles. Stewart Island covers 670 square miles and is located off the South Island’s southern tip. New Zealand also includes small outlying islands, which are difficult to reach from the mainland: the Chatham Islands, Raoul Island, and Campbell Island. New Zealand has a highly varied terrain with mountain ranges and hill country dominating the landscape. A massive mountain chain, the Southern Alps, runs almost the length of the South Island. The North Island also has mountain ranges, and four volcanic peaks, including Mt. Ruapehu, which has been active (but not dangerous) since September 1995. These mountains, along with fjords, glaciers, lakes, hot springs, geysers, mudpools, and beaches, give New Zealand some of the most spectacular natural scenery on earth. |
Climate | New Zealand lies in the Temperate Zone and has a generally mild, invigorating climate although with sharp regional contrasts. The rugged terrain of the country has a dramatic effect on the weather. Many parts of the country are subject to high winds and rains followed by sharp drops in temperature. January and February are New Zealand’s warmest months with July normally the coldest. Spells of cool, damp weather occur even in the summer, from December through February. Rainy winter days of June, July, and August are interspersed with days of brilliant sunshine and crisp, clear air. October, November, and December are particularly windy months. Winds of 60 mph are not unusual, especially in the Wellington area, and on rare occasions they exceed 100 mph. As the mountainous terrain suggests, New Zealand lies in an area of active earthquakes and volcanism ringing the Pacific Plate. A major fault line runs through Wellington. Earthquakes are sometimes felt but rarely cause damage. |
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, 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 |
Terrain | predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains |
How big is the New Zealand economy?
Economic Overview |
Economic overview of New Zealand: 1. **GDP and Growth**: New Zealand has a relatively small but stable economy. Its GDP stood at around $220 billion USD, with a growth rate averaging around 2-3% annually. The economy had been experiencing steady growth prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but like many countries, it faced challenges due to the global economic downturn caused by the pandemic. 2. **Key Industries**: New Zealand's economy is diversified, with key industries including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, services, and technology. Agriculture, particularly dairy farming and sheep farming, has historically been a significant contributor to the economy. Tourism is also a major industry, with visitors attracted to the country's stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. 3. **Trade**: New Zealand is heavily dependent on international trade, with exports playing a crucial role in the economy. Key exports include dairy products, meat, wool, wood products, and wine. Major trading partners include Australia, China, the United States, and Japan. 4. **Services Sector**: The services sector is a significant driver of economic activity in New Zealand. This includes financial services, healthcare, education, retail, and hospitality. The country has a well-developed financial services industry, with major banks and insurance companies operating in the market. 5. **Technology and Innovation**: New Zealand has a growing technology sector, with startups and tech companies emerging in areas such as software development, biotechnology, and renewable energy. The government has been investing in initiatives to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, aiming to drive economic growth through technology and innovation. 6. **Government Policies**: The New Zealand government plays an active role in shaping the economy through monetary and fiscal policies. Priorities include promoting sustainable economic growth, reducing inequality, and addressing environmental challenges such as climate change. 7. **Labor Market**: New Zealand has a relatively low unemployment rate, typically hovering around 4-5%. The labor market is characterized by flexibility, with a significant portion of the workforce engaged in part-time or casual employment. However, there are concerns about wage stagnation and income inequality, particularly in sectors like retail and hospitality. 8. **Infrastructure**: New Zealand has invested in infrastructure development to support economic growth, including transportation, telecommunications, and renewable energy. However, infrastructure challenges remain, particularly in areas like housing affordability and transportation congestion in major cities. 9. **Environmental Sustainability**: New Zealand places importance on environmental sustainability and conservation, recognizing the value of its natural resources and ecosystems. Efforts are being made to transition towards a more sustainable economy, including investing in renewable energy and addressing pollution and waste management issues. 10. **COVID-19 Impact**: Like many countries, New Zealand's economy was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with disruptions to trade, tourism, and supply chains. The government implemented strict measures to contain the spread of the virus, which helped minimize the health impact but had economic repercussions. However, the country's strong response to the pandemic positioned it relatively well for recovery compared to many other nations. This overview provides a snapshot of New Zealand's economy, highlighting its strengths, challenges, and ongoing efforts to promote sustainable economic development. |
Industries | food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining |
Currency Name and Code | New Zealand Dollar (NZD) |
Export Partners | Australia 20.3%, US 15.6%, Japan 11.5%, UK 4.8%, China 4.6%, South Korea 4.4% |
Import Partners | Australia 22.1%, US 13.7%, Japan 12%, China 8%, Germany 5.2% |
What current events are happening in New Zealand?
Source: Google News
What makes New Zealand a unique country to travel to?