country comparison to the world: 143
Exports - commodities:
ferronickels, nickel ore, fish
Exports - partners:
France 27.52%, Japan 14.87%, Taiwan 10.51%, Spain 7.74%, China
7.31%, Australia 6.64%, Belgium 5.13%, South Korea 4.2% (2009)
Imports:
$1.998 billion (2006)
country comparison to the world: 151
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
France 39.89%, Singapore 14.12%, Australia 12.5%, NZ 5.42% (2009)
Debt - external:
$79 million (1998 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Exchange rates:
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59
(2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003)
Communications ::New Caledonia
Telephones - main lines in use:
65,900 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 154
Telephones - mobile cellular:
208,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 172
Telephone system:
general assessment: a submarine cable network connection between New
Caledonia and Australia, completed in 2007, is expected to
significantly increase network capacity and improve high-speed
connectivity and access to international networks
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone
subscribership exceeds 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 687; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008)
Broadcast media:
the publicly-owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which operates in
France's overseas departments and territories, broadcasts over the
RFO Nouvelle Caledonie television and radio stations; a small number
of privately-owned radio stations also broadcast (2008)
Internet country code:
.nc
Internet hosts:
22,456 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 106
Internet users:
85,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 164
Transportation ::New Caledonia
Airports:
25 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 131
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 12
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 8 (2010)
Heliports:
8 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 5,622 km (2006)
country comparison to the world: 151
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 3 (France 3) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 139
Ports and terminals:
Noumea
Military ::New Caledonia
Military branches:
no regular military forces; French military, police, and gendarmerie
(2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 59,612 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 49,173
females age 16-49: 49,619 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,138
female: 2,061 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues ::New Caledonia
Disputes - international:
Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France
and Vanuatu
page last updated on January 11, 2011
======================================================================
@New Zealand (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::New Zealand
Background:
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.
Geography ::New Zealand
Location:
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates:
41 00 S, 174 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 267,710 sq km
country comparison to the world: 75
land: 267,710 sq km
water: NA
note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands,
Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands
Area - comparative:
about the size of Colorado
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
15,134 km
Maritime claims:
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
Climate:
temperate with sharp regional contrasts
Terrain:
predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m
Natural resources:
natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold,
limestone
Land use:
arable land: 5.54%
permanent crops: 6.92%
other: 87.54% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,850 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
397 cu km (1995)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.11 cu km/yr (48%/9%/42%)
per capita: 524 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity
volcanism: New Zealand experiences significant volcanism on North
Island; Ruapehu (elev. 2,797 m, 9,177 ft), 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
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by
invasive species
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
Geography - note:
almost 90% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the
southernmost national capital in the world
People ::New Zealand
Population:
4,252,277 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20.7% (male 447,174/female 424,522)
15-64 years: 66.5% (male 1,404,143/female 1,399,530)
65 years and over: 12.8% (male 244,986/female 293,063) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 36.8 years
male: 36 years
female: 37.6 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.901% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Birth rate:
13.81 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Death rate:
7.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Net migration rate:
2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Urbanization:
urban population: 87% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.048 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 187
male: 5.45 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.48 years
country comparison to the world: 22
male: 78.52 years
female: 82.53 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.09 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1,400 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Nationality:
noun: New Zealander(s)
adjective: New Zealand
Ethnic groups:
European 56.8%, Asian 8%, Maori 7.4%, Pacific islander 4.6%, mixed
9.7%, other 13.5% (2006 Census)
Religions:
Anglican 13.8%, Roman Catholic 12.6%, Presbyterian, Congregational,
and Reformed 10%, Christian (no denomination specified) 4.6%,
Methodist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Baptist 1.4%, other Christian 3.8%,
Maori Christian 1.6%, Hindu 1.6%, Buddhist 1.3%, other religions
2.2%, none 32.2%, other or unidentified 9.9% (2006 Census)
Languages:
English 91.2% (official), Maori 3.9% (official), 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)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 19 years
male: 19 years
female: 20 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
6.2% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 35
Government ::New Zealand
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: New Zealand
abbreviation: NZ
Government type:
parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Wellington
geographic coordinates: 41 28 S, 174 51 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)
Administrative divisions:
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
Dependent areas:
Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau
Independence:
26 September 1907 (from the UK)
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:
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
Legal system:
based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts
for the Maori; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
represented by Governor General Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August
2006)
head of government: Prime Minister John KEY (since 19 November
2008); Deputy Prime Minister Bill ENGLISH (since 19 November 2008)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the
recommendation of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
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
Legislative branch:
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 8 November 2008 (next to be held not later
than 27 November 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - National Party 44.9%,
Labor Party 34%, Green Party 6.7%, NZ First 4%, ACT Party 3.7%,
Maori 2.4%, Progressive 0.9%, United Front 0.9%, other 6.6%; seats
by party - National Party 58, Labor Party 43, Green Party 9, ACT
Party 5, Maori 5, Progressive 1, United Front 1
note: results of 2008 election saw the total number of seats
increase to 122
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; High Court; note - judges appointed
by the governor general
Political parties and leaders:
ACT New Zealand [Rodney HIDE]; Green Party [Russel NORMAN and
Metiria TUREI]; 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]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Women's Electoral Lobby or WEL
other: apartheid groups; civil rights groups; farmers groups; Maori;
nuclear weapons groups; women's rights groups
International organization participation:
ADB, ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August
1986), APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C,
CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Paris Club
(associate), PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
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
Diplomatic representation from the US:
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
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
National anthem:
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
Government - note:
while not an official symbol, the Kiwi, a small native flightless
bird, represents New Zealand
Economy ::New Zealand
Economy - overview:
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 1.7% decline in 2009, but
pulled out of recession late in the year, and achieved 2.1% growth
in 2010. 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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$119.2 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
$116.8 billion (2009 est.)
$118.8 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$138 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
-1.7% (2009 est.)
-0.2% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$28,000 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
$27,700 (2009 est.)
$28,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.6%
industry: 24%
services: 71.4% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
2.32 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 7%
industry: 19%
services: 74% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
6.2% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: %NA
highest 10%: %NA
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36.2 (1997)
country comparison to the world: 83
Investment (gross fixed):
19.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Public debt:
25.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
22.2% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
2.1% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
2.5% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 90
5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.39% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
12.21% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$24.15 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 61
$21.81 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$118.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$108.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$206.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
$180.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$67.06 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 57
$24.17 billion (31 December 2008)
$47.45 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
dairy products, lamb and mutton; wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses,
fruits, vegetables; wool, beef; fish
Industries:
food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery,
transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining
Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Electricity - production:
42.4 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Electricity - consumption:
39.24 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
61,150 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Oil - consumption:
154,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Oil - exports:
54,560 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Oil - imports:
143,900 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Oil - proved reserves:
60 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Natural gas - production:
4.305 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Natural gas - consumption:
4.32 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Natural gas - imports:
NA (2008 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
33.98 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Current account balance:
-$4.504 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
-$3.693 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$33.24 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
$25.35 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish, machinery
Exports - partners:
Australia 23.36%, US 9.64%, China 9.21%, Japan 7.1%, UK 4.21% (2009)
Imports:
$30.24 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
$23.95 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum,
electronics, textiles, plastics
Imports - partners:
Australia 18.4%, China 15.09%, US 10.45%, Japan 7.24%, Germany
4.16%, Singapore 4.12% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$17.85 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
$15.59 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$64.33 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$62.47 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$67.18 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$66.63 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA (31 December 2009)
$59.08 billion (31 December 2008)
Exchange rates:
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4015 (2010), 1.6002
(2009), 1.4151 (2008), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006)
Communications ::New Zealand
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.87 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 58
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.7 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 99
Telephone system:
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)
Broadcast media:
state-owned Television New Zealand operates multiple television
networks while 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 television and
radio stations and a large number of regional commercial television
and radio stations are available; cable and satellite TV systems are
accessible (2008)
Internet country code:
.nz
Internet hosts:
2.47 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 33
Internet users:
3.4 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 62
Transportation ::New Zealand
Airports:
122 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 50
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 40
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 24
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 82
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 32
under 914 m: 47 (2010)
Pipelines:
condensate 331 km; gas 1,838 km; liquid petroleum gas 172 km; oil
288 km; refined products 198 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 4,128 km
country comparison to the world: 39
narrow gauge: 4,128 km 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 93,911 km
country comparison to the world: 50
paved: 61,879 km (includes 172 km of expressways)
unpaved: 32,032 km (2009)
Merchant marine:
total: 14
country comparison to the world: 103
by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 1,
passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2
foreign-owned: 7 (Australia 1, Germany 2, Hong Kong 1, South Africa
1, Switzerland 2)