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Australia-Oceania :: New Zealand
page last updated on January 29, 2013
Flag of New Zealand
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of New Zealand
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Map of New Zealand
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of New Zealand
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Introduction ::New Zealand
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The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both world wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances.
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Geography ::New Zealand
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Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia
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41 00 S, 174 00 E
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total: 267,710 sq km
country comparison to the world: 76
land: 267,710 sq km
water: NA
note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands
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about the size of Colorado
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0 km
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15,134 km
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territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
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temperate with sharp regional contrasts
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predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m
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natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone
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arable land: 5.54%
permanent crops: 6.92%
other: 87.54% (2005)
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6,190 sq km (2003)
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397 cu km (1995)
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total: 2.11 cu km/yr (48%/9%/42%)
per capita: 524 cu m/yr (2000)
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earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity
volcanism: significant volcanism on North Island; Ruapehu (elev. 2,797 m), which last erupted in 2007, has a history of large eruptions in the past century; Taranaki has the potential to produce dangerous avalanches and lahars; other historically active volcanoes include Okataina, Raoul Island, Tongariro, and White Island
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deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by invasive species
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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
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almost 90% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world
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People and Society ::New Zealand
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noun: New Zealander(s)
adjective: New Zealand
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European 56.8%, Asian 8%, Maori 7.4%, Pacific islander 4.6%, mixed 9.7%, other 13.5% (2006 Census)
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English (official) 91.2%, Maori (official) 3.9%, Samoan 2.1%, French 1.3%, Hindi 1.1%, Yue 1.1%, Northern Chinese 1%, other 12.9%, New Zealand Sign Language (official)
note: shares sum to 114.6% due to multiple responses on census (2006 Census)
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Protestant 38.6% (Anglican 13.8%, Presbyterian, Congregational, and Reformed 10%, Christian (no denomination specified) 4.6%, Methodist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Baptist 1.4%, other Christian 3.8%), Roman Catholic 12.6%, Maori Christian 1.6%, Hindu 1.6%, Buddhist 1.3%, other religions 2.2%, none 32.2%, other or unidentified 9.9% (2006 Census)
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4,327,944 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
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0-14 years: 20.2% (male 448,838/ female 426,799)
15-64 years: 66.2% (male 1,434,723/ female 1,428,693)
65 years and over: 13.6% (male 270,468/ female 318,423) (2012 est.)
population pyramid:
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total: 37.2 years
male: 36.4 years
female: 38 years (2012 est.)
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0.863% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
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13.57 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
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7.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
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2.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
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urban population: 86% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
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Auckland 1.36 million; WELLINGTON (capital) 391,000 (2009)
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at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
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15 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 144
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total: 4.72 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 183
male: 5.29 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
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total population: 80.71 years
country comparison to the world: 25
male: 78.7 years
female: 82.81 years (2012 est.)
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2.07 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
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9.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 31
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2.384 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
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6.18 beds/1,000 population (2002)
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0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
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2,500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
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fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
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26.5% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 10
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6.1% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 27
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
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total: 19 years
male: 19 years
female: 20 years (2008)
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total: 16.6%
country comparison to the world: 69
male: 16%
female: 17.2% (2009)
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Government ::New Zealand
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: New Zealand
abbreviation: NZ
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parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
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name: Wellington
geographic coordinates: 41 18 S, 174 47 E
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April
note: New Zealand is divided into two time zones - New Zealand standard time (12 hours in advance of UTC), and Chatham Islands time (45 minutes in advance of New Zealand standard time)
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16 regions and 1 territory*; Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Chatham Islands*, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wellington, West Coast
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Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau
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26 September 1907 (from the UK)
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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)
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consists of a series of legal documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand parliaments, as well as The Constitution Act 1986, which is the principal formal charter; adopted 1 January 1987, effective 1 January 1987
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common law system, based on English model, with special legislation and land courts for the Maori
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accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
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18 years of age; universal
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chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Lt Gen Sir Jerry MATEPARAE (since 31 August 2011)
head of government: Prime Minister John KEY (since 19 November 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Simon William ENGLISH (since 19 November 2008)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister
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elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general
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unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (usually 120 seats; 70 members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies including 7 Maori constituencies, 50 proportional seats chosen from party lists; serve three-year terms)
elections: last held on 26 November 2011 (next to be held not later than November 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - National Party 48%, Labor Party 27.1%, Green Party 10.6%, NZ First 6.8%, Maori 1.4%, ACT Party 1.1%, Mana 1%, United Future 0.6%, other 3.43%; seats by party - National Party 60, Labor Party 34, Green Party 13, NZ First 8, Maori 3, ACT Party 1, Mana 1, United Future 1
note: results of 2011 election saw the total number of seats decline to 121
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Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; High Court; note - judges appointed by the governor general
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ACT New Zealand [Rodney HIDE]; Green Party [Russel NORMAN and Metiria TUREI]; Mana Party [Hone HARAWIRA]; Maori Party [Tariana TURIA and Dr. Pita SHARPLES]; New Zealand National Party [John KEY]; New Zealand First Party or NZ First [Winston PETERS]; New Zealand Labor Party [Phil GOFF]; Jim Anderton's Progressive Party [James (Jim) ANDERTON]; United Future New Zealand [Peter DUNNE]
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Women's Electoral Lobby or WEL
other: apartheid groups; civil rights groups; farmers groups; Maori; nuclear weapons groups; women's rights groups
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ADB, ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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chief of mission: Ambassador Michael K. MOORE
chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800
FAX: [1] (202) 667-5227
consulate(s) general: New York, Santa Monica
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chief of mission: Ambassador David HUEBNER
embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington
mailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, APO AP 96531-1034
telephone: [64] (4) 462-6000
FAX: [64] (4) 499-0490
consulate(s) general: Auckland
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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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Southern Cross constellation (four, five-pointed stars); kiwi (bird)
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name: "God Defend New Zealand"
lyrics/music: Thomas BRACKEN [English], Thomas Henry SMITH [Maori]/John Joseph WOODS
note: adopted 1940 as national song, adopted 1977 as co-national anthem; New Zealand has two national anthems with equal status; as a commonwealth realm, in addition to "God Defend New Zealand," "God Save the Queen" serves as a national anthem (see United Kingdom); "God Save the Queen" normally is played only when a member of the royal family or the governor-general is present; in all other cases, "God Defend New Zealand" is played
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while not an official symbol, the Kiwi, a small native flightless bird, represents New Zealand
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Economy ::New Zealand
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Over the past 20 years the government has transformed New Zealand from an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market access to a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes - but left behind some at the bottom of the ladder - and broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector. Per capita income rose for ten consecutive years until 2007 in purchasing power parity terms, but fell in 2008-09. Debt-driven consumer spending drove robust growth in the first half of the decade, helping fuel a large balance of payments deficit that posed a challenge for economic managers. Inflationary pressures caused the central bank to raise its key rate steadily from January 2004 until it was among the highest in the OECD in 2007-08; international capital inflows attracted to the high rates further strengthened the currency and housing market, however, aggravating the current account deficit. The economy fell into recession before the start of the global financial crisis and contracted for five consecutive quarters in 2008-09. In line with global peers, the central bank cut interest rates aggressively and the government developed fiscal stimulus measures. The economy posted a 2% decline in 2009, but pulled out of recession late in the year, and achieved roughly 2% per year growth in 2010-12. Nevertheless, key trade sectors remain vulnerable to weak external demand. The government plans to raise productivity growth and develop infrastructure, while reining in government spending.
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$128.5 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
$125.7 billion (2011 est.)
$124 billion (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
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$166.9 billion (2012 est.)
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2.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
1.3% (2011 est.)
1.8% (2010 est.)
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$28,800 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$28,500 (2011 est.)
$28,400 (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
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agriculture: 4.8%
industry: 24.6%
services: 70.6% (2012 est.)
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2.402 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
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agriculture: 7%
industry: 19%
services: 74% (2006 est.)
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6.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
6.5% (2011 est.)
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NA%
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
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36.2 (1997)
country comparison to the world: 82
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19.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
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revenues: $62.64 billion
expenditures: $72.71 billion (2012 est.)
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37.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
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-6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
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41.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
36.1% of GDP (2011 est.)
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1.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
4% (2011 est.)
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2.5% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 71
5% (31 December 2008)
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6.1% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
6.11% (31 December 2011 est.)
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$26.94 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
$26.26 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
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$154.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$145.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$233.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
$239.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
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$71.66 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 55
$36.3 billion (31 December 2010)
$67.06 billion (31 December 2009)
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dairy products, lamb and mutton; wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef; fish
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1.5% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
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-$6.803 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
-$6.709 billion (2011 est.)
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$37.73 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
$38.35 billion (2011 est.)
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dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish, machinery
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Australia 22.2%, China 12.5%, US 8.5%, Japan 7.1% (2011)
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$35.65 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
$35.61 billion (2011 est.)
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machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, electronics, textiles, plastics
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China 16.1%, Australia 15.9%, US 10.4%, Japan 6.3%, Singapore 4.6%, Germany 4.3% (2011)
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$18.33 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
$17.01 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
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$90.23 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$91.07 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
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$75.77 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$73.92 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
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$NA (31 December 2010)
$59.08 billion (31 December 2009)
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New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -
1.289 (2012 est.)
1.263 (2011 est.)
1.3874 (2010 est.)
1.6002 (2009)
1.4151 (2008)
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1 April - 31 March
note: this is the fiscal year for tax purposes
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Energy ::New Zealand
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43.4 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
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38.96 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
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0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
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0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
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9.482 million kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
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30% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
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0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
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56.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
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13.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
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49,730 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
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45,180 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
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90,840 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
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96.1 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
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106,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
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148,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
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2,883 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
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46,780 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
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4.367 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
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4.278 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
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0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
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0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
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27.64 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
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39.58 million Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
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Communications ::New Zealand
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1.88 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 60
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4.82 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 107
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general assessment: excellent domestic and international systems
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons
international: country code - 64; the Southern Cross submarine cable system provides links to Australia, Fiji, and the US; satellite earth stations - 8 (1 Inmarsat - Pacific Ocean, 7 other)
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state-owned Television New Zealand operates multiple TV networks and state-owned Radio New Zealand operates 3 radio networks and an external shortwave radio service to the South Pacific region; a small number of national commercial TV and radio stations and many regional commercial television and radio stations are available; cable and satellite TV systems are available (2008)
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.nz
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3.026 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 34
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3.4 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 62
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Transportation ::New Zealand
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122 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 47
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total: 39
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 23
under 914 m: 1 (2012)
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total: 83
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 33
under 914 m: 47 (2012)
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condensate 331 km; gas 1,838 km; liquid petroleum gas 172 km; oil 288 km; refined products 198 km (2010)
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total: 4,128 km
country comparison to the world: 41
narrow gauge: 4,128 km 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) (2008)
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total: 93,911 km
country comparison to the world: 46
paved: 61,879 km (includes 172 km of expressways)
unpaved: 32,032 km (2009)
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total: 15
country comparison to the world: 101
by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 1, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 2
foreign-owned: 7 (Germany 2, Hong Kong 1, South Africa 1, Switzerland 2, UK 1)
registered in other countries: 5 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Cook Islands 2, Samoa 1) (2010)
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Auckland, Lyttelton, Manukau Harbor, Marsden Point, Tauranga, Wellington
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Military ::New Zealand
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New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF): New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force (Te Hokowhitu o Kahurangi, RNZAF) (2010)
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17 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed until the age of 18; no conscription; 3 years of secondary education required; must be a citizen of NZ, the UK, Australia, Canada, or the US and resident of there for the previous 5 years (2012)
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males age 16-49: 1,019,798
females age 16-49: 1,003,429 (2010 est.)
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males age 16-49: 843,526
females age 16-49: 828,779 (2010 est.)
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male: 30,846
female: 28,825 (2010 est.)
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1% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
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Transnational Issues ::New Zealand
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asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)
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significant consumer of amphetamines
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