New Zealand

Region: Australia-Oceania

Official language: English, Māori

Population: 5,161,211 (2024 est.)

Nationality: New Zealander(s) (noun), New Zealand (adjective)

Land area: 264,537 sq km (102,138 sq miles)

Capital: Wellington

National anthem: "God Defend New Zealand", by Thomas Bracken [English], Thomas Henry Smith [Māori]/John Joseph Woods

National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), February 6 (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), April 25 (1915)

Population growth: 0.95% (2024 est.)

Time zone: UTC +12

Flag: The flag of New Zealand features a deep blue background with the Union Jack situated in its upper hoist (left) side, taking up approximately one quarter of the flag. On the fly (right) side of the flag are four red, five-pointed stars, each of which is edged in white. The cluster of stars represents the Southern Cross constellation.

Independence: September 26, 1907 (from the UK)

Government type: parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal system: common law system, based on English model, with special legislation and land courts for the Māori

New Zealand is an island nation located 2,012 kilometers (1,250 miles) southeast of Australia in the South Pacific Ocean. The country consists of two large islands and a series of small islands. Originally settled by the Māori around 800 CE, it was a British colony from the 1840s to 1907 and remains a Commonwealth realm. New Zealand is known for its picturesque landscapes and high standard of living.

• Region: Australia-Oceania
• Nationality: New Zealander(s) (noun), New Zealand (adjective)
• Official language: English, Māori
• Population: 5,161,211 (2024 est.)
• Population growth: 0.95% (2024 est.)
• Currency (money): New Zealand dollar
• Land area: 264,537 sq km (102,138 sq miles)
• Time zone: UTC +12
• Capital: Wellington
• Flag: The flag of New Zealand features a deep blue background with the Union Jack situated in its upper hoist (left) side, taking up approximately one quarter of the flag. On the fly (right) side of the flag are four red, five-pointed stars, each of which is edged in white. The cluster of stars represents the Southern Cross constellation.
• Independence: September 26, 1907 (from the UK)
• Government type: parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
• Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
• Legal system: common law system, based on English model, with special legislation and land courts for the Māori
• National anthem: "God Defend New Zealand", by Thomas Bracken [English], Thomas Henry Smith [Māori]/John Joseph Woods
• National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), February 6 (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), April 25 (1915)

Note: unless otherwise indicated, statistical data in this article is sourced from the CIA World Factbook, as cited in the bibliography

People and Culture

Population: New Zealand has a relatively young, growing population. The median age was 37.9 years in 2024. Nearly 87 percent of the population lived in urban areas according to 2023 estimates, reflecting steady growth as the country modernized over the preceding century. The capital is Wellington, which was home about 422,000 people in 2023, but the most populous city is Auckland, with a population of 1.673 million. Other major cities include Christchurch, Dunedin, and Hamilton.

According to the 2018 census, over 64 percent of New Zealanders identified as being of European ethnicity, with some of the most common subgroups including English, Irish, Scottish, German, Scandinavian, Croatian, and Dutch. Māori (16.5 percent), Chinese (4.9 percent), Indian (4.7 percent), and Samoan (3.9 percent) were the next most common specific identities, while 13.7 percent selected "other" (respondents were allowed to choose more than one category). Many East Asian immigrants arrived during New Zealand's gold rush in the 1860s. Many Pacific Islanders migrated from Tonga, Fiji, Niue, the Cook Islands, and Samoa.

New Zealand recognizes both English and Māori as official languages, along with New Zealand Language. Māori is an Austronesian language, and only about 4 percent of New Zealanders are fluent (2018 estimate), since Māori was banned in New Zealand schools in the late nineteenth century. Today, the language is being revived through government funding and its use in certain schools. Some small segments of the population speak other European, Asian, or Polynesian languages, such as Samoan, Hindi, or French.

Christianity is the most prevalent religion in New Zealand according to the 2018 census. With respondents allowed to make multiple selections, 10.1 percent of the population identified as Catholic, 6.8 percent as Anglican, 5.2 percent as Presbyterian and Congregational, 1.8 percent as Pentecostal, 1.6 percent as Methodist, 1.2 percent as Mormon, and 10.7 percent as another Christian denomination. The Māori have their own belief system, and there are two major Māori Christian churches, the Ringatu Church and the Ratana Church, that have small but active memberships. There are sizeable non-Christian minorities, including Hindus (2.7 percent), Muslims (1.3 percent), and Buddhists (1.1 percent). More than 48 percent of New Zealanders professed no religion, and 6.7 percent objected to answering the census question on religion in 2018.

People from New Zealand are sometimes referred to as Kiwis, a nickname borrowed from a species of flightless bird native to the country. The bird is also New Zealand's national symbol.

Indigenous People: The Polynesian Māori first settled in New Zealand sometime during the first millennium. In 1840, they entered into the Treaty of Waitangi that gave Great Britain sovereignty. When the British began to colonize New Zealand, land wars broke out, and by 1872 the native Māori people were defeated and their numbers had declined drastically.

In 1975, the government created the Waitangi Tribunal to address Māori grievances and investigate land claims. Despite the fact that the Māori population has rebounded and the Māori have largely integrated into New Zealand's European-dominated society, they are still underrepresented in the country's health, labor, and education initiatives.

Some modern Māori groups refer to themselves as tangata whena (Māori, "people of the land").

Education: It is mandatory for New Zealand children between the ages of five and sixteen to attend school. Public education is free, with relatively few people choosing to attend private schools. Primary school lasts for eight years. In some cases, students transfer to specialized school for their last two years. Secondary education is usually a five-year program and is free for students until age nineteen.

The University of Auckland is the largest of New Zealand's universities. The universities are located in the major cities, as are most of the technical and vocational institutions.

Health Care: New Zealand offers a wide variety of health and disability services. Most citizens have access to modern hospitals, pharmacies, and doctors. The country has a liberal social welfare system, offering benefits to the sick, elderly, disabled, unemployed, and single parents.

All New Zealanders receive free medical care at local hospitals, and those with financial need may receive subsidized care from primary health facilities.

Life expectancy at birth is 84.8 years for women and 81.2 years for men (2024 estimates). The country ranked 16 out of 193 countries and territories on the 2022 United Nations Human Development Index, which measures quality-of-life indicators.

Food: Given the diversity of the population, it is no surprise that New Zealand cuisine is greatly influenced by Asian, Polynesian, and European flavors. New Zealand cuisine was traditionally a heavily carnivorous diet.

Meat and fish, including pork, cervena (venison), salmon, crayfish, oysters, mussels, scallops, paua (abalone), and tuatua (a shellfish native to New Zealand) are common in many dishes. New Zealand is well known for its lamb. British dishes such as fish and chips are also popular.

Kumara, or sweet potato, is sometimes eaten dried, when it is known as kao. Traditional fruits such as the tamarillo and the kiwifruit are also widely eaten.

Named for the famous Russian ballerina, a pavlova is a popular dessert consisting of a pie shell filled with fruit and whipped cream and topped with fruit sauce. Another favorite snack is the ANZAC biscuit. Introduced by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during World War I, these oat cakes were originally designed to withstand the rigors of military life and do not contain eggs.

Arts & Entertainment: New Zealanders have experienced an interesting evolution in the creative arts. Until the 1980s revival, the native Māori people had been so assimilated into the European culture that they nearly lost their own cultural identity. Today, many Māori artists express themselves using native traditions.

New Zealand has produced many prominent authors. Katherine Mansfield is considered a master of the short story, and although she became famous while writing in England, her Wellington roots are often revealed in her work. Other accomplished writers include Janet Frame, Margaret Sutherland, Fiona Kidman, Maurice Gee, Witi Ihimaera, Vincent O'Sullivan, and Owen Marshall. The Māori are well known for their oral literary tradition.

Playmarket, a professional writer's agency designed to encourage the writing and production of theater in New Zealand, has produced playwrights Roger Hall and Greg McGee. Hall's Glide Time and Middle-Age Spread and McGee's Foreskin's Lament have earned international recognition.

Since the 1970s, the film industry in New Zealand has enjoyed a renaissance, thanks in part to the government's film commission, which encourages film production in the country. Some of the country's most acclaimed directors include Jane Campion (The Piano), Peter Jackson (Heavenly Creatures, the Lord of the Rings series), Lee Tamahori (Once Were Warriors), and Taika Waititi (Boy, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Jojo Rabbit).

Many popular festivals focus on food and wine, art, music, sports, or music. Some of the more popular events include the Summer City Programme, a collection of festivals held in Wellington; the BMW Wine Marlborough Festival in Blenheim; and the New Zealand Festival, a month-long celebration of New Zealand's culture.

Holidays: Official holidays observed in New Zealand include Waitangi Day (February 6), which commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the Māori and the British in 1840. This holiday is also known as New Zealand Day. ANZAC Day, celebrated on April 25, commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who have died in wars, with special emphasis on those who perished at Gallipoli in World War I.

Environment and Geography

Topography: New Zealand's two main islands (the North Island and the South Island) are the second and third largest in the thousands that make up the South Pacific island chain. They are separated by the Cook Strait. The country's total land area of 268,838 square kilometers (103,799 square miles) makes it roughly the same size as Japan. Many small, uninhabited islands are also part of the country. These include the Chatham Islands, Auckland Islands, Antipodes Islands, Bounty Islands, Kermadec Islands, and Stewart Island.

The North Island is characterized by its many large volcanoes, including Mount Ruapehu, which experiences major eruptions approximately every fifty years. Just off the east coast is White Island, which is actually the peak of a submerged volcano. The North Island also contains several thermal areas such as geysers and hot mud flats.

The Southern Alps run almost the entire length of the South Island. Mount Cook, at 3,724 meters (12,217 feet) above sea level, is the highest point in New Zealand and is located in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. There are also a number of rivers, many of which are fed by the glaciers. The Southern Alps contain more than three hundred glaciers, the largest of which is Tasman Glacier.

Offsetting the mountainous region are the Canterbury Plains, the country's largest lowland expanse. The hills and flatlands of Otago Plateau give way to the neighboring Fiordland National Park to the west. This is where the southernmost foothills of the Southern Alps meet the coast to form a series of narrow deep water inlets.

The country's largest lakes include Lake Waikaremoana, Lake Taupo, and Lake Wanaka. With an area of 606 square kilometers (234 square miles), Lake Taupo is the country's largest. It rests in the middle of an inactive volcano and drains into New Zealand's largest river, the Waikator.

Natural Resources: New Zealand's most important natural resource is the land itself, followed closely by its water resources. More than 43 percent of the land is used for crops or grazing, and just over 31 percent is forested, while the many rivers and lakes are valuable sources of hydroelectric power (2018 estimates).

The islands are not rich in minerals, with small deposits of gold, coal, limestone, and iron ore. There are some offshore natural gas deposits, and smaller quantities of oil can be found both on shore and off.

Plants and Animals: There are roughly 2,000 species of native plants in New Zealand, and national parks protect much of the country's lush vegetation. One of the more distinctive plants is the pohutukawa, also known as the "New Zealand Christmas tree," which is filled with bright red flowers each December. Trees commonly found in the forests include rimu, beech, tawa, matai, and rata. Ferns and flax are also prevalent. The mountainous areas produce alpine and subalpine herb fields; and scrub and tussock.

The islands of New Zealand formed before the evolution of mammals, and their isolation meant that few species were able to naturally arrive from other landmasses. Therefore, the bat is the island's only native land mammal. With no predatory mammals, birds and reptiles flourished. Birds did not need to fly to survive, and many adapted to build their nests on the ground. Today, New Zealand is home to many species of flightless birds. The morepork, tui, weka, and kea are a few of the most common native birds found on the islands.

Other unique animals found in New Zealand include the tuatara, a prehistoric lizard, and the weta, a giant insect similar to a cricket.

Pigs, goats, possums, dogs, cats, deer, and sheep have all been introduced to the islands, with damaging effects. Many native plant and bird species face extinction as a result of plants and animals that have been introduced to the country. Efforts to combat invasive species have been carried out across New Zealand.

Climate: New Zealand is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so its seasons are opposite those in the Northern Hemisphere. The warmest months are January and February, and the coldest are June and July. Temperatures tend to be slightly warmer in the north than the south, but with the exception of the extreme north and south locations most temperature variations are minimal.

The average low temperatures range from around 2 degrees Celsius (35 degrees Fahrenheit) in the south to about 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit) in the north. Auckland, on the North Island, has an average high temperature of near 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit) while Christchurch, on the South Island, has an average high temperature of approximately 21 degrees Celsius (71 degrees Fahrenheit).

The east coast receives much more rain than the west coast because of the mountains, which serve as a natural weather barrier. For example, Christchurch, to the east, receives about 64 centimeters (25 inches) of rainfall per year, while Hokitika, to the west, receives about 290 centimeters (114 inches) annually.

Economy

New Zealand long had an agrarian economy but has transformed into a more industrialized, competitive economy. In 2023, the country's gross domestic product (GDP; purchasing power parity) was estimated at US$$253.466 billion, or US$254.77 . The unemployment rate was 3.74 percent in 2023.

Industry: New Zealand has made great progress in transforming itself from an agrarian to an industrial and then postindustrial economy. Today, the country enjoys a good mix of manufacturing and services. Important traditional industries include forestry, fishing, mining, and construction, while the service sector includes finance and real estate. Industry contributed 19 percent of GDP while services accounted for 67.1 percent according to 2021 estimates.

Agriculture: The climate in New Zealand allows for almost continual grass growth, which is ideal for raising farm animals. Cattle and sheep are the country's most important livestock. New Zealand has historically been a major exporter of mutton and wool, though the importance of those industries to the overall economy have been in decline. Dairy products account for nearly one-third of all farm output.

Major crops grown in New Zealand include wheat, barley, potatoes, and vegetables. Fruits from the exotic (kiwifruits and tamarind) to the ordinary (apples and pears) are also important to the agricultural sector. The country's wine industry experienced strong growth into the twenty-first century.

Tourism: The tourism industry is an important part of New Zealand's economy, typically attracting millions of visitors each year. Industry growth was generally strong in the early twenty-first century, accounting for an increasing share of the country's GDP and total employment. However, the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020 and strict national quarantine measures had a severe negative impact.

New Zealand's largest cities such as Wellington and Auckland provide cultural attractions as well as natural beauty. The Northland province is the center of Māori culture and history, not to mention some of the most beautiful beaches and best diving spots in the world. Adventurers and ecotourists are drawn to the dramatic landscapes of Otago and Southland, which offer whitewater rafting, parasailing, bungee jumping, and other outdoor activities.

Government

New Zealand's government is a parliamentary democracy. The British monarch is the formal head of state, and the governor general represents the Crown in New Zealand.

After general elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition in Parliament is appointed prime minister by the governor general. The governor general appoints a cabinet on the recommendations of the prime minister. Cabinet ministers run the daily operations of government and sit on the Executive Council to advise the governor general. The constitution requires the governor general to abide by the recommendations of this council.

The unicameral legislature consists of the House of Representatives (commonly known as the Parliament) entrusted with the power of making laws. There are typically 120 seats, with members elected to serve three-year terms. Seventy-one members are directly elected in single-seat constituencies, including seven Māori constituencies, by simple majority vote. The remaining forty-nine seats are filled by proportional representation vote.

The governor general is charged with appointing judges on the recommendation of the attorney general. The hierarchical court system includes a Court of Appeal, High Court, and District Courts.

In 2020, Jacinda Ardern wins landslide victory for Labour in parliamentary elections, in part over her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Interesting Facts

• New Zealand declared its independence from Great Britain on September 26, 1907.
• The Māori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, roughly translated as "land of the long white cloud."
• Wellington is the southernmost capital city in the world.In 2018, New Zealander Scott Donaldson became the first person to kayak solo across the Tasman Sea.

Bibliography

"Human Development Insights." Human Development Reports, United Nations Development Programme, 13 March 2024, hdr.undp.org/data-center/country-insights#/ranks. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

"New Zealand." The World Bank 2024, data.worldbank.org/country/new-zealand. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

"New Zealand." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 2 Jan. 2025, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/new-zealand/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

"New Zealand." BBC News, 22 Aug. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-19331501. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

"New Zealand." World Health Organization, www.who.int/countries/nzl/en/. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.