New
Zealand is a remote island country in the
south-western Pacific, situated about 2,000
km south-east of Australia across the Tasman
Sea. Its closest neighbours to the north
are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga, with
Antarctica to the south.
The country comprises two main islands –
the North and South islands – and
a number of small islands. New Zealand also
includes the Cook Islands and Niue (self-governing
but in free association); the island group
of Tokelau; and the Ross Dependency (New
Zealand's territorial claim in Antarctica).
The country’s total area is 268,000
sq km, a little larger than the United Kingdom.
About two-thirds of the land is economically
useful, the remainder being mountainous.
The climate throughout the country is mild
and temperate, mainly maritime, with temperatures
rarely falling below 0°C.
The capital city is Wellington, located
on the North Island.
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New Zealand History,
Population, Language and Culture
Due
to its geographical isolation, it is one of
the most recently settled major countries.
James Cook did not reach New Zealand until
1769, and the British government did not claim
sovereignty until 1840.
The number of European settlers increased
thereafter, causing conflict with the indigenous
population, the Maori. The conflict caused
by European settlement and their acquisition
of land from the Maori remains controversial.
In 1907, the United Kingdom granted New Zealand
“dominion” status within the British
Empire. Exactly when full independence was
achieved from the United Kingdom is argued
among historians; however, New Zealand became
an independent British Commonwealth realm
following the recognition of Queen Elizabeth
II as head of state.
New
Zealand’s population is around 4.25m,
with over 85% now living in urban areas, of
which the main areas are on North Island –
Auckland, the main industrial complex; Hamilton;
and Wellington. Christchurch, the second largest
industrial area, and Dunedin are on South
Island.
By the late 1850s settlers outnumbered Maori,
and 70% of New Zealand's population is now
of European descent. Although the overwhelming
majority of immigrants were of British extraction,
other Europeans came as well. The Maori are
still the largest minority at almost 8%, but
Asians and non-Maori Pacific islanders are
also significant minority groups, especially
in urban areas.
The
most commonly spoken language is English,
but Maori also remains an official language.
Around
53% of New Zealanders profess to be Christian,
but there is no state religion.
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New Zealand Government
New
Zealand is a parliamentary democracy and a
British Commonwealth realm, formalising its
independence in 1947.
Its Constitution consists of a series of legal
documents, including certain acts of the United
Kingdom and New Zealand parliaments, as well
as The Constitution Act 1986, which is the
principal formal charter.
The chief of state is the British Monarch,
represented by the Governor-General.
The New Zealand parliament has only one chamber,
the House of Representatives, with 120 members
(increased to 122 in the 2008 elections).
Elections are held every three years under
a form of proportional representation.
The party with majority support in the House
of Representatives forms the government and
its leader becomes Prime Minister.
Politics has recently been a contest between
the Labour Party and the National Party, with
significant minor parties, include the Maori
and Green Parties. The National Party has
been in power since the November 2008 election,
with John Key as Prime Minister.
The legal system is based on English common
law, with special land legislation and land
courts for the Maori.
The highest court is the Supreme Court of
New Zealand, established by the Supreme Court
Act 2003, which also abolished the option
to appeal to the Privy Council in London.
New Zealand's legal system also includes the
Court of Appeal and the High Court. The judiciary
are appointed by the Governor-General.
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New Zealand Economy and
Currency
In
the 1890s, refrigerated shipping allowed New
Zealand to base its economy on the export
of meat and dairy products to the United Kingdom.
However, Britain's membership of the then-European
Economic Community in 1973 drastically reduced
access for New Zealand’s exporters to
their previous largest market.
This
and the oil shocks of the 1970s led to significant
economic and social changes during the 1980s.
Although still dependent on free trade agreements
for its agricultural exports, New Zealand
has diversified its farm economy and expanded
its manufacturing base, achieved partly by
large-scale government intervention.
Agriculture now represents only 4.5% of gross
domestic product (GDP), with the economy being
dominated by services at almost 70% of GDP,
and manufacturing at some 26%. Tourism has
become an important part of the country’s
economy, with most of the country’s
visitors originating from Australia, Japan,
the United States, and the United Kingdom.
GDP has reached USD116.5bn (2009 estimate),
and per capita GDP averages USD27,700. GDP
growth was 3.2% in 2007, but the economy fell
into recession and contracted for five consecutive
quarters in 2008-09. Growth was flat in 2008
and was estimated to have contracted by 1.3%
in 2009.
The economy pulled out of recession late in
2009, but growth has been slow. Key trade
sectors remain vulnerable to weak foreign
demand. Its trade is now mainly with Australia,
the European Union (particularly Germany),
the United States, China and Singapore.
The government is making efforts to develop
New Zealand’s oil and natural gas reserves,
so as to boost both the country’s exports
and its tax revenues.
Its currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD),
known informally as the “kiwi dollar”.
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