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NEW ZEALAND

Introduction & Facts

New Zealand lies in the southern Pacific Ocean, 1600 km east of Australia and is made up of the North and South Islands and a number of smaller islands. With one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world -filled with mountain ranges, fiords, glaciers, lakes and coastal plains , one quarter of New Zealand is protected wilderness and much of the country is pollution free. New Zealand is a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and relaxation as well as a playground for thrill seekers and adventurers. New Zealanders, better known as Kiwis are friendly and outgoing.

Polynesian settlers arrived in New Zealand around the tenth century and by the twelfth century settlements were scattered over most of the country. In the middle of the 19th century, the British settled the country. After years of conflict between the indigenous Maori population and the British settlers, good relations became the dominant paradigm, and at 14 per cent, New Zealand's indigenous population comprises the largest share of the total population, far greater than other former British colonies. The Maoris also have a prominent role in the development of New Zealand's social and economic policy. New Zealand is now an independent state of the Commonwealth and is rich and diverse with a colorful blend of Polynesian and European cultures.

With the most open and undemanding immigration policy in the Anglo world, about 70,000 migrants have arrived to New Zealand's shores each year in recent years. Immigration levels are at their highest levels ever recorded. About 20 percent of New Zealand's residents were born abroad.

MAP

Full country name: New Zealand
Area: 270,534 sq km
Population: 4.1 million (July 2007)
Capital city: Wellington (pop 367,600 )
People: 74% European (Pakeha), 13.5% Maori, 6% Polynesian, 6% Asian
Languages: English and Maori
Religion: Predominantly Christian (81%)
Government: Independent member of the British Commonwealth
Prime Minister: Helen Clark
Army: Voluntary - The New Zealand Army consists of professional soldiers.
Weekend: 2 days - Saturday, Sunday
Major industries: Food processing, wood and paper products, wool, textiles, dairy products, iron and steel, machinery, tourism
Major trading partners: Australia, Japan, UK, China and the USA
Currency: New Zealand dollar - Exchange rate: $1 New Zealand Dollar = $US 0.789 (as at April 2008)

FACTS	Population	Work Force	Registered Motor Vehicles	Mobile Phones	Households with internet access	Households with computers
ISRAEL	6.4 million	3.4 million 53%	1.8 million28%	4.1 million64%	37%	57%
NEW ZEALAND	4.1 million	2.3 million 57%	2.5 million 62.5%	40 million 40%	37%	51%

NEW ZEALAND