New Zealand

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.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)

related countries: Australia, United Kingdom

Official Name:
New Zealand - Aotearoa
abbreviation: NZ

ISO Country Code: nz

Time:
Local Time = UTC +12h
DST October - March (+13h)

Country Calling Code: +64

Capital City: Wellington (pop. 400 000)

Other Cities: Auckland (1.3 million), Christchurch (339 000), Hamilton (182 000)

Government:
Type: Parliamentary democracy.
Constitution: No formal, written constitution.
Independence: Declared a dominion in 1907.
Chief of State: Queen Elizabeth II
Dependent areas: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau.

Geography:
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia.
Area: 270 000 sq. km.
Terrain: Varied, from snowcapped mountains to lowland plains.

Climate: with sharp regional contrasts from temperate to subtropical.

People:
Nationality: Noun--New Zealander(s). Adjective--New Zealand.
Population: 4.1 million.
GNI per capita PPP: $ 24 805 (year)
Ethnic groups: European 75%, Maori 15%, other Polynesian 6.5%.
Religions: Christian
Languages: English, Maori.
Literacy: 99%

Natural resources: Natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone.

Agriculture products: Wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef, lamb and mutton, dairy products; fish.

Industries: Food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining.

Exports partners: Australia 21%, USA 14.4%, Japan 11.3%, China 5.7%, UK 4.7% (2004)

Imports partners: Australia 22.4%, USA 11.3%, Japan 11.2%, China 9.7%, Germany 5.2% (2004)

Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)