World · permanent entity record · NZ

New Zealand

Thirty-second orientation

New Zealand at a glance

Capital: Wellington; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 5,324,700; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 268,838 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: New Zealander(s); adjective: New Zealand; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: English (de facto official) 95.4%, Maori (de jure official) 4%, Samoan 2.2%, Northern Chinese 2%, Hindi 1.5%, French 1.2%, Yue 1.1%, New Zealand Sign Language (de jure official) 0.5%, other or not stated 17.2% (2018 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

New Zealand through time

1945-10-24
Admitted to the United Nations
New Zealand became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	5,324,700World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 5,161,211 (2024 est.) male: 2,584,607 female: 2,576,604CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-05

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

Claims are attributed · classifications are dated

Claims and contested status

Related territory records

Tokelau
New Zealand
U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31

A claim’s appearance records that the cited source reports it. It does not constitute an Almanac ruling on sovereignty.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $264.1 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $49,591; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 82.0 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 84.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 100.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 93.5%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Wellington; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 268,838 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 5,324,700; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: New Zealand dollars (NZD); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: English (de facto official) 95.4%, Maori (de jure official) 4%, Samoan 2.2%, Northern Chinese 2%, Hindi 1.5%, French 1.2%, Yue 1.1%, New Zealand Sign Language (de jure official) 0.5%, other or not stated 17.2% (2018 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: New Zealander(s); adjective: New Zealand; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1945-10-24; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Oceania; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Australia and Oceania.”
Coastline: 15,134 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Christian 37.3% (Catholic 10.1%, Anglican 6.8%, Presbyterian and Congregational 5.2%, Pentecostal 1.8%, Methodist 1.6%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.2%, other 10.7%), Hindu 2.7%, Maori 1.3%, Muslim, 1.3%, Buddhist 1.1%, other religion 1.6% (includes Judaism, Spiritualism and New Age religions, Baha'i, Asian religions other than Buddhism), no religion 48.6%, objected to answering 6.7% (2018 est.) note: based on the 2018 census of the usually resident population; percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one religion; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: blue, red, white; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: Southern Cross constellation (four five-pointed stars), kiwi (bird), silver fern; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Aoraki/Mount Cook · 12,218 ft (3,724 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean · 0 ft (0 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-05Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-05 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Polynesians settled New Zealand between the late 1200s and the mid-1300s. They called the land Aotearoa, which legend holds is the name of the canoe that Kupe, the first Polynesian in New Zealand, used to sail to the country; the name Aotearoa is now in widespread use as the local Maori name for the country. By the 1500s, competition for land and resources led to intermittent fighting between different Maori tribes as large game became extinct. Dutch explorer Abel TASMAN was the first European to see the islands in 1642 but left after an encounter with local Maori. British sea captain James COOK arrived in 1769, followed by whalers, sealers, and traders. The UK only nominally claimed New Zealand and included it as part of New South Wales in Australia. Concerns about increasing lawlessness led the UK to appoint its first British Resident in New Zealand in 1832, although the position had few legal powers. In 1835, some Maori tribes from the North Island declared independence. Fearing an impending French settlement and takeover, the majority of Maori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the British in 1840. Land tenure issues stemming from the treaty are still being actively negotiated in New Zealand. The UK declared New Zealand a separate colony in 1841 and granted limited self-government in 1852. Different traditions of authority and land use led to a series of wars between Europeans and various Maori tribes from the 1840s to the 1870s. Along with disease, these conflicts halved the Maori population. In the 1890s, New Zealand initially expressed interest in joining independence talks with Australia but ultimately opted against it and changed its status to an independent dominion in 1907. New Zealand provided more than 100,000 troops during each World War, many of whom fought as part of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). New Zealand reaffirmed its independence in 1947 and signed the Australia, New Zealand, and US (ANZUS) Treaty in 1951. Beginning in 1984, New Zealand began to adopt nuclear-free policies, contributing to a dispute with the US over naval ship visits that led the US to suspend its defense obligations to New Zealand in 1986, but bilateral relations and military ties have been revitalized since the 2010s with new security agreements. A key challenge for Auckland that has emerged over the past decade is balancing concerns over China’s growing influence in the Pacific region with its role as New Zealand's largest export destination. New Zealand has close ties with Australia based to a large extent on the two nations’ common origins as British colonies and their shared military history.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Geography18 fields

Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 S, 174 00 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Map references: Oceania; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Area: total : 268,838 sq km land: 264,537 sq km water: 4,301 sq km note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Area - comparative: almost twice the size of North Carolina; about the size of Colorado; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land boundaries: total: 0 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Coastline: 15,134 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Terrain: predominately mountainous with large coastal plains; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Elevation: highest point: Aoraki/Mount Cook 3,724 m; note - the mountain's height was 3,764 m until 14 December 1991 when it lost about 10 m in an avalanche of rock and ice; erosion of the ice cap since then has brought the height down another 30 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 388 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Natural resources: natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 36.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 34.6% (2023 est.) forest: 38.6% (2023 est.) other: 24.5% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Irrigated land: 7,000 sq km (2014); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Major lakes (area sq km): fresh water lake(s): Lake Taupo - 610 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population distribution: over three quarters of New Zealanders, including the Maori, live on the North Island, primarily in urban areas; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Natural hazards: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity volcanism: significant volcanism on North Island; Ruapehu (2,797 m) 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; see note 2 under "Geography - note"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Geography - note: note 1: consists of two main islands and a number of smaller islands; South Island, the larger main island, is the 12th-largest island in the world and is divided along its length by the Southern Alps; North Island is the 14th-largest island in the world and is not as mountainous, but it is marked by volcanism note 2: New Zealand lies along the Ring of Fire, which is a belt bordering the Pacific Ocean that contains about 75% of the world's volcanoes and up to 90% of the world's earthquakes note 3: almost 90% of the population lives in cities and over three-quarters on North Island; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

People and Society33 fields

Population: total: 5,161,211 (2024 est.) male: 2,584,607 female: 2,576,604; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Nationality: noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Ethnic groups: European 64.1%, Maori 16.5%, Chinese 4.9%, Indian 4.7%, Samoan 3.9%, Tongan 1.8%, Cook Islands Maori 1.7%, English 1.5%, Filipino 1.5%, New Zealander 1%, other 13.7% (2018 est.) note: based on the 2018 census of the usually resident population; percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic group; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Languages: English (de facto official) 95.4%, Maori (de jure official) 4%, Samoan 2.2%, Northern Chinese 2%, Hindi 1.5%, French 1.2%, Yue 1.1%, New Zealand Sign Language (de jure official) 0.5%, other or not stated 17.2% (2018 est.) note: shares sum to 124.1% due to multiple responses on the 2018 census; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Religions: Christian 37.3% (Catholic 10.1%, Anglican 6.8%, Presbyterian and Congregational 5.2%, Pentecostal 1.8%, Methodist 1.6%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.2%, other 10.7%), Hindu 2.7%, Maori 1.3%, Muslim, 1.3%, Buddhist 1.1%, other religion 1.6% (includes Judaism, Spiritualism and New Age religions, Baha'i, Asian religions other than Buddhism), no religion 48.6%, objected to answering 6.7% (2018 est.) note: based on the 2018 census of the usually resident population; percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one religion; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 19% (male 503,120/female 475,490) 15-64 years: 64.2% (male 1,674,407/female 1,638,276) 65 years and over: 16.9% (2024 est.) (male 407,080/female 462,838); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.8 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 29.5 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 26.3 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 3.8 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Median age: total: 38.1 years (2025 est.) male: 37.2 years female: 38.6 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population growth rate: 0.83% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Birth rate: 12.4 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Death rate: 6.93 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Net migration rate: 2.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population distribution: over three quarters of New Zealanders, including the Maori, live on the North Island, primarily in urban areas; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 87% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Major urban areas - population: 1.673 million Auckland, 422,000 WELLINGTON (capital) (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 27.8 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 7 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.9 years (2024 est.) male: 81.2 years female: 84.8 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Total fertility rate: 1.84 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 0.9 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Health expenditure: 10% of GDP (2021) 19.8% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Physician density: 3.61 physicians/1,000 population (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Hospital bed density: 2.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 30.8% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 9.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 3.41 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 2.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 1.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 1.26 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Tobacco use: total: 10% (2025 est.) male: 11.2% (2025 est.) female: 8.9% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 57.7% (2018 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Education expenditure: 5.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 12.7% national budget (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 19 years (2023 est.) male: 19 years (2023 est.) female: 20 years (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Environment11 fields

Environmental issues: water quality and availability; rapid urbanization; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation; native flora and fauna hard-hit by invasive species; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Antarctic Seals, Marine Life Conservation; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 36.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 34.6% (2023 est.) forest: 38.6% (2023 est.) other: 24.5% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 87% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 33.506 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 4.24 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 21.836 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 7.43 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 8.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Methane emissions: energy: 95.4 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 1,105.6 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 158.8 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 6.2 kt (2019-2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 3.405 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 22% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 547 million cubic meters (2022) industrial: 1.184 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 3.207 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Total renewable water resources: 327 billion cubic meters (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Government25 fields

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: New Zealand former: Nieuw Zeeland abbreviation: NZ etymology: the name is an anglicized form of the Dutch name Nieuw Zeeland, or "New Sea Land," which was first used in 1643 in honor of the Dutch province of Zeeland; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Capital: name: Wellington geographic coordinates: 41 18 S, 174 47 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 time zone note: New Zealand has two time zones: New Zealand standard time (UTC+12) and Chatham Islands time (45 minutes in advance of New Zealand standard time; UTC+12:45) etymology: named in 1840 after Arthur WELLESLEY, the first Duke of Wellington, who was famous for his victory at Waterloo in 1815 and was a benefactor of the New Zealand Company that settled North Island; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Dependent areas: Tokelau (1); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Legal system: common law system, based on English model, with special legislation and land courts for the Maori; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Constitution: history: New Zealand has no single constitution document; the Constitution Act 1986, effective 1 January 1987, includes only part of the uncodified constitution; others include a collection of statutes or "acts of Parliament," the Treaty of Waitangi, Orders in Council, letters patent, court decisions, and unwritten conventions amendment process: proposed as bill by Parliament or by referendum called either by the government or by citizens; passage of a bill as an act normally requires two separate readings with committee reviews in between to make changes and corrections, a third reading approved by the House of Representatives membership or by the majority of votes in a referendum, and assent of the governor-general; passage of amendments to reserved constitutional provisions affecting the term of Parliament, electoral districts, and voting restrictions requires approval by 75% of the House membership or the majority of votes in a referendum; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of New Zealand dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Dame Cindy KIRO (since 21 October 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Christopher LUXON (since 27 November 2023) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor-general on the recommendation of the prime minister election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor-general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the governor-general appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime minister also appointed by the governor-general; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: House of Representatives legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 120 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 3 years most recent election date: 10/14/2023 parties elected and seats per party: National Party (49); Labour Party (34); Green Party (14); ACT New Zealand (11); New Zealand First (8); Te Pāti Māori (4); Others (2) percentage of women in chamber: 45.1% expected date of next election: September 2026; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices, including the chief justice) judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor-general upon the recommendation of the attorney- general; justices appointed until compulsory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; tribunals and authorities; district courts; specialized courts for issues related to employment, environment, family, Maori lands, youth, military; tribunals; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Political parties: ACT New Zealand Green Party New Zealand First Party or NZ First Labor Party National Party Te Pāti Māori; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rosemary BANKS (since 17 June 2024) chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800 FAX: [1] (202) 667-5277 email address and website: wshinfo@mfat.govt.nz https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/americas/united-states-of-america/ consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires David GEHRENBECK (since January 2025); note - also accredited to Samoa embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 mailing address: 4370 Auckland Place, Washington DC 20521-4370 telephone: [64] (4) 462-6000 FAX: [64] (4) 499-0490 email address and website: AucklandACS@state.gov https://nz.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Auckland; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
International organization participation: ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF, SICA (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Independence: 26 September 1907 (from the UK); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840); Anzac Day, 25 April (1915) note: the Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand, and the second holiday commemorates the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in Gallipoli, Turkey, during World War I; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Flag: description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant, with four five-pointed red stars edged in white centered in the right half of the flag meaning: the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National symbol(s): Southern Cross constellation (four five-pointed stars), kiwi (bird), silver fern; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National color(s): black, white, red (ochre); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National coat of arms: the first quarter of the shield shows four stars that represent the Southern Cross constellation and three ships that symbolize New Zealand's sea trade; in the second quarter, a fleece represents the sheep farming industry; the wheat sheaf in the third quarter represents the agricultural industry; the crossed hammers in the fourth quarter represent mining; the Māori chieftain holds a taiaha (a Māori war weapon) and a European woman holds the New Zealand flag; St. Edward's crown, shown above the shield, symbolizes the British monarch; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National anthem(s): title: "God Defend New Zealand" “Aotearoa” (Māori) lyrics/music: Thomas BRACKEN [English], Thomas Henry SMITH [Maori]/John Joseph WOODS history: adopted 1940 as the national song, adopted 1977 as one of two official national anthems _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: royal anthem and one of two official national anthems; usually played only when a member of the royal family or a representative is present or when allegiance to the crown is demonstrated note: New Zealand is one of only two countries that has two national anthems of equal status (Denmark is the other); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (2 natural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand (n); Tongariro National Park (m); New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands (n); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Economy28 fields

Economic overview: high-income, globally integrated Pacific island economy; strong agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism sectors; reliant on Chinese market for exports; recovery trajectory following deep post-pandemic recession; challenges of fiscal deficits, below-average productivity, cost of living, and drop in net migration; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $257.117 billion (2024 est.) $257.443 billion (2023 est.) $253.903 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Real GDP growth rate: -0.1% (2024 est.) 1.4% (2023 est.) 3.5% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Real GDP per capita: $48,200 (2024 est.) $49,100 (2023 est.) $49,600 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $260.236 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (2024 est.) 5.7% (2023 est.) 7.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 4.6% (2022 est.) industry: 19.6% (2022 est.) services: 67.4% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 57.5% (2022 est.) government consumption: 20.9% (2022 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.4% (2022 est.) investment in inventories: 0.9% (2022 est.) exports of goods and services: 24% (2022 est.) imports of goods and services: -29.4% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Agricultural products: milk, beef, kiwifruit, apples, grapes, lamb/mutton, potatoes, wheat, barley, chicken (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Industries: agriculture, forestry, fishing, logs and wood articles, manufacturing, mining, construction, financial services, real estate services, tourism; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Industrial production growth rate: -1% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Labor force: 3.124 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Unemployment rate: 4.9% (2024 est.) 3.8% (2023 est.) 3.3% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 14.3% (2024 est.) male: 14.6% (2024 est.) female: 14% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Average household expenditures: on food: 12.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 4.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Remittances: 0.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.3% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Budget: revenues: $83.167 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $91.782 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Public debt: 54% of GDP (2022 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 29.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Current account balance: -$15.978 billion (2024 est.) -$17.065 billion (2023 est.) -$21.627 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exports: $61.799 billion (2024 est.) $59.029 billion (2023 est.) $57.485 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exports - partners: China 28%, USA 12%, Australia 12%, Japan 6%, S. Korea 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exports - commodities: milk, wood, beef, butter, sheep and goat meat (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Imports: $67.998 billion (2024 est.) $68.412 billion (2023 est.) $71.35 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Imports - partners: China 20%, Australia 11%, USA 9%, S. Korea 7%, Japan 7% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, gas turbines, broadcasting equipment, trucks (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $22.065 billion (2024 est.) $15.487 billion (2023 est.) $14.4 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.652 (2024 est.) 1.628 (2023 est.) 1.577 (2022 est.) 1.414 (2021 est.) 1.542 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Energy7 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 10.643 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 40.794 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.058 billion kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 12.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 59.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) geothermal: 17.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Coal: production: 3.011 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 2.696 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 906,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 283,000 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 6.75 billion metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 12,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 154,000 bbl/day (2024 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 40.993 million barrels (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Natural gas: production: 3.97 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 3.891 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 31.149 billion cubic meters (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 121.647 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 660,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 6.56 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 115 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Broadcast media: state-owned Television New Zealand operates multiple TV networks; 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 TV and radio stations and many regional commercial TV and radio stations are available; cable and satellite TV systems are available (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Internet country code: .nz; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 96% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1.93 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Transportation6 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: ZK; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Airports: 206 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Heliports: 62 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Railways: total: 4,128 km (2018) narrow gauge: 4,128 km (2018) 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Merchant marine: total: 117 (2023) by type: container ship 2, general cargo 12, oil tanker 3, other 100; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Ports: total ports: 22 (2024) large: 2 medium: 1 small: 10 very small: 9 ports with oil terminals: 14 key ports: Auckland, Bluff Harbor, Gisborne, Manukau Harbor, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Otago Harbor, Picton, Tauranga, Timaru, Wellington, Whangarei; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Military and Security7 fields

Military and security forces: New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF): New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force (2025) note: the New Zealand Police, under the Minister of Police, is the primary law enforcement body agency of New Zealand and responsible for internal security; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 8,800 active (Regular Force) New Zealand Defense Forces (4,300 Army; 2,100 Navy; 2,400 Air Force) (2025) note: the total NZDF complement is about 15,300 including the Regular Force, Reserves, and civilians; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the NZDF's inventory is comprised of domestically produced and Western-supplied weapons and equipment, including from Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; soldiers cannot be deployed until the age of 18; no conscription (2025) note: New Zealand opened up all military occupations to women in 2000; as of 2024, women accounted for about 20% of Regular Force personnel; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Military deployments: small numbers of NZ military personnel are deployed on a variety of international missions in Africa, Antarctica, the Asia-Pacific region, and the Middle East (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Military - note: the NZDF is responsible for protecting New Zealand’s sovereignty, promoting its interests, safeguarding peace and security, and conducting peacekeeping, humanitarian, and other international missions New Zealand is a member of the Five Powers Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a series of mutual assistance agreements reached in 1971 embracing Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK; the FPDA commits the members to consult with one another in the event or threat of an armed attack on any of the members and to mutually decide what measures should be taken, jointly or separately; there is no specific obligation to intervene militarily New Zealand has been part of the Australia, New Zealand, and US Security (ANZUS) Treaty since 1951; however, the US suspended its ANZUS security obligations to New Zealand in 1986 after Auckland implemented a policy barring nuclear-armed and nuclear-powered warships from its ports; the US and New Zealand signed the Wellington Declaration in 2010, which reaffirmed close ties between the two countries, and in 2012 signed the Washington Declaration, which provided a framework for future security cooperation and defense dialogues; in 2016, a US naval ship conducted the first bilateral warship visit to New Zealand since the 1980s; New Zealand has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Space4 fields

Space agency/agencies: New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA; established 2016 under the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Space launch site(s): Mahia Peninsula Launch Complex (Hawke's Bay) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Space program overview: has a national space program focused largely on the development of a commercial space sector, particularly in the field of satellites and satellite launch vehicles (SLV); manufactures and launches commercial satellites and SLVs; researches and develops a range of other space-related technologies, including propulsion systems; participates in international programs and partners with a range of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Australia, Canada, the EU, the ESA, individual European countries, South Africa, and the US; has a growing commercial space sector (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Key space-program milestones: 2009 - launched a 2-stage suborbital sounding rocket (Atea-1) 2018 - placed satellite in orbit on rocket built by a New Zealand-US commercial company and launched from a privately owned domestic launch site 2019 - began operations of the Kiwi Space Radar, which is designed to track debris in low Earth orbit 2021 - signed the US-led Artemis Accords for space and lunar exploration 2024 - first domestically made science payload sent to International Space Station on US rocket; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Terrorism1 fields

Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Transnational Issues1 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 5,622 (2024 est.) IDPs: 26 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 29 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.