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

Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia

Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts.

Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains.

People

Population: 4,035,461 (July 2005 est.)

Ethnic groups: European 69.8%, Maori 7.9%, Asian 5.7%, Pacific islander 4.4%, other 0.5%, mixed 7.8%, unspecified 3.8% (2001 census)

Religions: Anglican 14.9%, Roman Catholic 12.4%, Presbyterian 10.9%, Methodist 2.9%, Pentacostal 1.7%, Baptist 1.3%, other Christian 9.4%, other 3.3%, unspecified 17.2%, none 26% (2001 census)

Languages: English (official), Maori (official)

Government

Country name: New Zealand

Capital: Wellington

Administrative divisions: 16 regions and 1 territory

Independence: 26 September 1907 (from UK)

Executive branch: The chief of state is Queen Elizabeth II. The head of government is Prime Minister Helen Clark. There is an Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister.

Legislative branch: The NZ Parliament has 120 seats (69 elected by popular vote and 51 proportional seats chosen from party lists).

Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal

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.

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 many at the bottom of the ladder). New Zealand is heavily dependent on trade - particularly in agricultural products - to drive growth. Exports are equal to about 20% of GDP. Thus far the economy has been resilient.

Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 10%, industry 25%, services 65% (1995)

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.