世界各国

New Zealand

Introduction to 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.

Government

Capital:

Wellington 

Independence:

26 September 1907 (from UK) 

National holiday:

Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) 

Economy

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), broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, and contained inflationary pressures. Per capita income has been rising and is now 80% of the level of the four largest EU economies. New Zealand is heavily dependent on trade - particularly in agricultural products - to drive growth, and it has been affected by the global economic slowdown and the slump in commodity prices. Thus far the economy has been resilient, and growth should continue at the same level in 2004. Expenditures on health, education, and pensions will increase proportionately. 

GDP:

purchasing power parity - $85.34 billion (2004 est.) 

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 4.8%
industry: 27.4%
services: 67.8% (2004 est.)

Agriculture products:

wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef, dairy products; fish 

Industries:

food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining 

Transportation

Pipelines:

gas 2,213 km; liquid petroleum gas 79 km; oil 160 km; refined products 304 km (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington

Merchant marine:

total: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 77,523 GRT/108,352 DWT
by type: bulk 3, cargo 2, container 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 2
registered in other countries: 8 (2003 est.)
foreign-owned: Australia 1, Isle of Man 1

Airports:

113 (2003 est.)