New Zealand Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 26, 2020

New Zealand, State of Oceania; 270 530 km², 4.9 million residents (2019).New Zealand is located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, 1,600 km southeast of Australia, and consists of the North Island (115,777 km² ), the South Island (151 215 km² ) and Stewart Island (1,746 km) as well as a number of smaller islands (together 2 542 km² ). New Zealand also includes the Tokelau Islands (about 10 km² ) and the two autonomous territories of Cook Islands and Niue Island. The capital is Wellington (215,400 residents, 2018), located on the southern North Island.

Country facts

New Zealand / New Zealand, Aotearoa (Maori)
Country abbreviation: NZ
Area: 270 530 km²
Population (2019): 4.9 million residents
Capital: Wellington
Main languages: English, Maori
State: Monarchy
Head of State: Elizabeth II (Queen)
Head of Government: Jacinda Ardern
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 41,966
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 40,820
Currency unit: 1 New Zealand dollar = 100 cents
Currency code: NZD
Country number (telephony): 64
Internet domain name: nz
Time difference compared to Sweden: +11
National Day: February 6 (New Zealand became British colony in 1840)
Independence Day: November 25, 1947

Nature

Land use: forest (27%), agricultural land (12%), other (61%)
Highest mountain: Cook (3,764 m asl)

Population

Population density (2019): 18 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 0.5%; birth rate 12 ‰, death rate 7 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (19%), 15-64 (66%), 65- (15%)
Average life expectancy (2019): men 80 years, women 84 years
Infant mortality (2019): 4 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 6 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.917 (place 16 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 86%
Most populous cities (2018): Auckland (1.5 million residents), Christchurch (377,200)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (6%), industry (22%), service (72%)
Exports of goods (2017): US $ 37,350 million
Main export products: dairy products, meat, wood products
Main exporting countries: China, Australia, USA
Imports (2017): US $ 39,740 million
Main import products: oil products, machinery, means of transport
Main importing countries: China, Australia, USA
Railway network (2018): 4 100 km

New Zealand consists of the North Island and the South Island as well as a number of smaller islands. The east and west sides of the North Island have nice terrain, while the highlands in the middle are dominated by volcanic mountains. The South Island, which is separated from the North Island by the Cook Islands, is a highland until 3/4. The west coast has a Norwegian coast fjord coast, while on the eastern side there is coastal plain, most pronounced in the Canterbury plain. There are also fertile plains and valleys along the coasts to the north. The climate is warm-tempered and maritime.

The country, which is a member of the Commonwealth, has no written constitution but a mixture of customary law, common laws and conventions. The British monarch is the head of state and is represented by a general governor. The legislative power is exercised by a single-chamber parliament, which is elected for three years.

Business has been strongly characterized by the fact that New Zealand is an isolated country with a small domestic market. The economy has become heavily dependent on conditions in the world market. Since the mid-1980s, a number of changes have been made to provide new growth power in the economy. The state’s role has been reduced and business has been liberalized. Agriculture is still of great importance, with an important meat, dairy and wool production. In recent years, the business sector has expanded and the industry has developed – now towards a higher degree of raw material processing and greater specialization.