New Zealand

Table of Contents

Introduction & Quick Facts
Land
- Relief
- Drainage
- Soils
- Climate
- Plant and animal life
People
- Ethnic groups
- Languages
- Religion
- Settlement patterns
- Demographic trends
Economy
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
- Resources and power
- Manufacturing
- Finance
- Trade
- Services
- Labour and taxation
- Transportation and telecommunications
Government and society
- Constitutional framework
- Local government
- Justice
- Political process
- Security
- Health and welfare
- Housing
- Education
Cultural life
- Cultural milieu
- Daily life and social customs
- The arts
- Cultural institutions
- Sports and recreation
- Media and publishing
History
- Discovery
- Early European settlement
- Annexation and further settlement
  - Responsible government
  - Ethnic conflict
- Development of the colony
  - Fluctuation of the economy
  - The Liberal era (1891–1912)
- New Zealand since 1900
  - Nationalism and war
  - World War II and the postwar decades
  - The late 20th and early 21st centuries
    - The David Lange government and Labour’s changing leadership (1984–90)
    - The James Bolger and Jennifer Shipley governments (1990–99)
    - The Helen Clark government (1999–2008)
    - John Key’s first term as prime minister (2008–11)
    - John Key’s second term as prime minister (2011–16)
    - The Bill English government (2016–17)
    - The Jacinda Ardern government (2017–23)
    - The Chris Hipkins government (2023– )
Prime ministers of New Zealand

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images, Videos & Interactives

Christchurch and Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand

How climate change affects New Zealand's glaciers

For Students

New Zealand summary

New Zealand

Also known as: Aotearoa, Dominion of New Zealand

Written by Keith Sinclair, William Hosking Oliver, Warren MoranSee All

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Apr 14, 2024 • Article History

flag of New Zealand

Audio File: Anthem of New Zealand (see article)

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Category: Geography & Travel

Māori:: Aotearoa

Head Of Government:: Prime Minister: Christopher Luxon

Capital:: Wellington

Population:: (2024 est.) 5,378,000

Currency Exchange Rate:: 1 USD equals 1.643 New Zealand dollar

Head Of State:: British Monarch: King Charles III, represented by Governor-General: Dame Alcyion Cynthia (Cindy) Kiro

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Recent News

Apr. 13, 2024, 3:52 PM ET (MSN)

New Zealand braces for cold winds, thunderstorms and large waves

Apr. 12, 2024, 6:37 PM ET (The Guardian)

Weather tracker: Stormy weeks for France and New Zealand

New Zealand, island country in the South Pacific Ocean, the southwesternmost part of Polynesia. New Zealand is a remote land—one of the last sizable territories suitable for habitation to be populated and settled—and lies more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Australia, its nearest neighbour. The country comprises two main islands—the North and the South Island—and a number of small islands, some of them hundreds of miles from the main group. The capital city is Wellington and the largest urban area Auckland; both are located on the North Island. New Zealand administers the South Pacific island group of Tokelau ...(100 of 19117 words)

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