New Zealand Facts, Map, Population, GDP

Capital

Wellington

Population

5,161,211 (2024 est.)

Area

268,838 sq km

Location

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

🧭 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.

🗺️ Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

41 00 S, 174 00 E

Map references

Oceania

Area — total

268,838 sq km

Area — land

264,537 sq km

Area — water

4,301 sq km

Area - comparative

Almost twice the size of North Carolina; about the size of Colorado

Land boundaries — total

0 km

Coastline

15,134 km

Maritime claims — territorial sea

12 nm

Maritime claims — contiguous zone

24 nm

Maritime claims — exclusive economic zone

200 nm

Maritime claims — continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

Temperate with sharp regional contrasts

Terrain

Predominately mountainous with large coastal plains

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

Elevation — lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Elevation — mean elevation

388 m

Natural resources

Natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone

Land use — agricultural land

36.9% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: arable land

Arable land: 2% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent crops

Permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent pasture

Permanent pasture: 34.6% (2023 est.)

Land use — forest

38.6% (2023 est.)

Land use — other

24.5% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

7,000 sq km (2014)

Major lakes (area sq km) — fresh water lake(s)

Lake Taupo - 610 sq km

Population distribution

Over three quarters of New Zealanders, including the Maori, live on the North Island, primarily in urban areas

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"

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

👥 People and Society⬆️ Top

Population — total

5,161,211 (2024 est.)

Population — male

2,584,607

Population — female

2,576,604

Nationality — noun

New Zealander(s)

Nationality — adjective

New Zealand

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.)

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.)

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.)

Age structure — 0-14 years

19% (male 503,120/female 475,490)

Age structure — 15-64 years

64.2% (male 1,674,407/female 1,638,276)

Age structure — 65 years and over

16.9% (2024 est.) (male 407,080/female 462,838)

Dependency ratios — total dependency ratio

55.8 (2024 est.)

Dependency ratios — youth dependency ratio

29.5 (2024 est.)

Dependency ratios — elderly dependency ratio

26.3 (2024 est.)

Dependency ratios — potential support ratio

3.8 (2024 est.)

Median age — total

38.1 years (2025 est.)

Median age — male

37.2 years

Median age — female

38.6 years

Population growth rate

0.83% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

12.4 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

6.93 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

2.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

Over three quarters of New Zealanders, including the Maori, live on the North Island, primarily in urban areas

Urbanization — urban population

87% of total population (2023)

Urbanization — rate of urbanization

0.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

1.673 million Auckland, 422,000 WELLINGTON (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio — at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — 0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — 15-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — 65 years and over

0.88 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — total population

1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

27.8 years

Maternal mortality ratio

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate — total

3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Infant mortality rate — male

3.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant mortality rate — female

3.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth — total population

82.9 years (2024 est.)

Life expectancy at birth — male

81.2 years

Life expectancy at birth — female

84.8 years

Total fertility rate

1.84 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.9 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source — improved: urban

Urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — improved: rural

Rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — improved: total

Total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — unimproved: urban

Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — unimproved: rural

Rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — unimproved: total

Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure — Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

10% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure — Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

19.8% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

3.61 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Hospital bed density

2.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access — improved: urban

Urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — improved: rural

Rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — improved: total

Total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — unimproved: urban

Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — unimproved: rural

Rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — unimproved: total

Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

30.8% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita — total

9.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — beer

3.41 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — wine

2.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — spirits

1.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — other alcohols

1.26 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use — total

10% (2025 est.)

Tobacco use — male

11.2% (2025 est.)

Tobacco use — female

8.9% (2025 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

57.7% (2018 est.)

Education expenditure — Education expenditure (% GDP)

5.3% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure — Education expenditure (% national budget)

12.7% national budget (2023 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) — total

19 years (2023 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) — male

19 years (2023 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) — female

20 years (2023 est.)

🌿 Environment⬆️ Top

Environmental issues

Water quality and availability; rapid urbanization; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation; native flora and fauna hard-hit by invasive species

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

International environmental agreements — signed, but not ratified

Antarctic Seals, Marine Life Conservation

Climate

Temperate with sharp regional contrasts

Land use — agricultural land

36.9% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: arable land

Arable land: 2% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent crops

Permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent pasture

Permanent pasture: 34.6% (2023 est.)

Land use — forest

38.6% (2023 est.)

Land use — other

24.5% (2023 est.)

Urbanization — urban population

87% of total population (2023)

Urbanization — rate of urbanization

0.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions — total emissions

33.506 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions — from coal and metallurgical coke

4.24 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions — from petroleum and other liquids

21.836 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions — from consumed natural gas

7.43 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

8.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Methane emissions — energy

95.4 kt (2022-2024 est.)

Methane emissions — agriculture

1,105.6 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Methane emissions — waste

158.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Methane emissions — other

6.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste and recycling — municipal solid waste generated annually

3.405 million tons (2024 est.)

Waste and recycling — percent of municipal solid waste recycled

22% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal — municipal

547 million cubic meters (2022)

Total water withdrawal — industrial

1.184 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal — agricultural

3.207 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources

327 billion cubic meters (2022)

🏛️ Government⬆️ Top

Country name — conventional long form

None

Country name — conventional short form

New Zealand

Country name — former

Nieuw Zeeland

Country name — abbreviation

NZ

Country name — 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

Government type

Parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Capital — name

Wellington

Capital — geographic coordinates

41 18 S, 174 47 E

Capital — time difference

UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Capital — daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April

Capital — 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)

Capital — 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

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

Dependent areas

Tokelau (1)

Legal system

Common law system, based on English model, with special legislation and land courts for the Maori

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

Constitution — 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

International law organization participation

Accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship — citizenship by birth

No

Citizenship — citizenship by descent only

At least one parent must be a citizen of New Zealand

Citizenship — dual citizenship recognized

Yes

Citizenship — residency requirement for naturalization

3 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch — chief of state

King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Dame Cindy KIRO (since 21 October 2021)

Executive branch — head of government

Prime Minister Christopher LUXON (since 27 November 2023)

Executive branch — cabinet

Executive Council appointed by the governor-general on the recommendation of the prime minister

Executive branch — 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

Legislative branch — legislature name

House of Representatives

Legislative branch — legislative structure

Unicameral

Legislative branch — number of seats

120 (all directly elected)

Legislative branch — electoral system

Mixed system

Legislative branch — scope of elections

Full renewal

Legislative branch — term in office

3 years

Legislative branch — most recent election date

10/14/2023

Legislative branch — 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)

Legislative branch — percentage of women in chamber

45.1%

Legislative branch — expected date of next election

September 2026

Judicial branch — highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices, including the chief justice)

Judicial branch — 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

Judicial branch — 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

Political parties

ACT New Zealand Green Party New Zealand First Party or NZ First Labor Party National Party Te Pāti Māori

Diplomatic representation in the US — chief of mission

Ambassador Rosemary BANKS (since 17 June 2024)

Diplomatic representation in the US — chancery

37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation in the US — telephone

[1] (202) 328-4800

Diplomatic representation in the US — FAX

[1] (202) 667-5277

Diplomatic representation in the US — email address and website

Wshinfo@mfat.govt.nz https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/americas/united-states-of-america/

Diplomatic representation in the US — consulate(s) general

Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US — chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires David GEHRENBECK (since January 2025); note - also accredited to Samoa

Diplomatic representation from the US — embassy

29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington 6011

Diplomatic representation from the US — mailing address

4370 Auckland Place, Washington DC 20521-4370

Diplomatic representation from the US — telephone

[64] (4) 462-6000

Diplomatic representation from the US — FAX

[64] (4) 499-0490

Diplomatic representation from the US — email address and website

AucklandACS@state.gov https://nz.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic representation from the US — consulate(s) general

Auckland

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

Independence

26 September 1907 (from the UK)

National holiday

Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840); Anzac Day, 25 April (1915)

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

National symbol(s)

Southern Cross constellation (four five-pointed stars), kiwi (bird), silver fern

National color(s)

Black, white, red (ochre)

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

National anthem(s) — title

"God Save the King"

National anthem(s) — lyrics/music

Unknown

National anthem(s) — 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

National heritage — total World Heritage Sites

3 (2 natural, 1 mixed)

National heritage — selected World Heritage Site locales

Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand (n); Tongariro National Park (m); New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands (n)

💹 Economy⬆️ Top

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) — Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$257.117 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) — Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$257.443 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) — Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$253.903 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate — Real GDP growth rate 2024

-0.1% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate — Real GDP growth rate 2023

1.4% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate — Real GDP growth rate 2022

3.5% (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita — Real GDP per capita 2024

$48,200 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita — Real GDP per capita 2023

$49,100 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita — Real GDP per capita 2022

$49,600 (2022 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$260.236 billion (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) — Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

2.9% (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) — Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

5.7% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) — Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

7.2% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin — agriculture

4.6% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin — industry

19.6% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin — services

67.4% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — household consumption

57.5% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — government consumption

20.9% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — investment in fixed capital

25.4% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — investment in inventories

0.9% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — exports of goods and services

24% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — imports of goods and services

-29.4% (2022 est.)

Agricultural products

Milk, beef, kiwifruit, apples, grapes, lamb/mutton, potatoes, wheat, barley, chicken (2023)

Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing, logs and wood articles, manufacturing, mining, construction, financial services, real estate services, tourism

Industrial production growth rate

-1% (2023 est.)

Labor force

3.124 million (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate — Unemployment rate 2024

4.9% (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate — Unemployment rate 2023

3.8% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate — Unemployment rate 2022

3.3% (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) — total

14.3% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) — male

14.6% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) — female

14% (2024 est.)

Average household expenditures — on food

12.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Average household expenditures — on alcohol and tobacco

4.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Remittances — Remittances 2023

0.3% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances — Remittances 2022

0.2% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances — Remittances 2021

0.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

Budget — revenues

$83.167 billion (2022 est.)

Budget — expenditures

$91.782 billion (2022 est.)

Public debt — Public debt 2022

54% of GDP (2022 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

29.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

Current account balance — Current account balance 2024

-$15.978 billion (2024 est.)

Current account balance — Current account balance 2023

-$17.065 billion (2023 est.)

Current account balance — Current account balance 2022

-$21.627 billion (2022 est.)

Exports — Exports 2024

$61.799 billion (2024 est.)

Exports — Exports 2023

$59.029 billion (2023 est.)

Exports — Exports 2022

$57.485 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners

China 28%, USA 12%, Australia 12%, Japan 6%, S. Korea 3% (2023)

Exports - commodities

Milk, wood, beef, butter, sheep and goat meat (2023)

Imports — Imports 2024

$67.998 billion (2024 est.)

Imports — Imports 2023

$68.412 billion (2023 est.)

Imports — Imports 2022

$71.35 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners

China 20%, Australia 11%, USA 9%, S. Korea 7%, Japan 7% (2023)

Imports - commodities

Refined petroleum, cars, gas turbines, broadcasting equipment, trucks (2023)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold — Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

$22.065 billion (2024 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold — Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$15.487 billion (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold — Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$14.4 billion (2022 est.)

Exchange rates — Currency

New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2024

1.652 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2023

1.628 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2022

1.577 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2021

1.414 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2020

1.542 (2020 est.)

⚡ Energy⬆️ Top

Electricity access — electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Electricity — installed generating capacity

10.643 million kW (2023 est.)

Electricity — consumption

40.794 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity — transmission/distribution losses

3.058 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — fossil fuels

12.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — solar

0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — wind

8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — hydroelectricity

59.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — geothermal

17.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — biomass and waste

1.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal — production

3.011 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Coal — consumption

2.696 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Coal — exports

906,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Coal — imports

283,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Coal — proven reserves

6.75 billion metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum — total petroleum production

12,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Petroleum — refined petroleum consumption

154,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)

Petroleum — crude oil estimated reserves

40.993 million barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas — production

3.97 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Natural gas — consumption

3.891 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Natural gas — proven reserves

31.149 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Energy consumption per capita — Total energy consumption per capita 2023

121.647 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

📡 Communications⬆️ Top

Telephones - fixed lines — total subscriptions

660,000 (2023 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines — subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

13 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular — total subscriptions

6.56 million (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular — subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

115 (2022 est.)

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)

Internet country code

.nz

Internet users — percent of population

96% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions — total

1.93 million (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions — subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

37 (2023 est.)

🚚 Transportation⬆️ Top

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

ZK

Airports

206 (2025)

Heliports

62 (2025)

Railways — total

4,128 km (2018)

Railways — narrow gauge

4,128 km (2018) 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified)

Merchant marine — total

117 (2023)

Merchant marine — by type

Container ship 2, general cargo 12, oil tanker 3, other 100

Ports — total ports

22 (2024)

Ports — large

2

Ports — medium

1

Ports — small

10

Ports — very small

9

Ports — ports with oil terminals

14

Ports — key ports

Auckland, Bluff Harbor, Gisborne, Manukau Harbor, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Otago Harbor, Picton, Tauranga, Timaru, Wellington, Whangarei

🛡️ Military and Security⬆️ Top

Military and security forces

New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF): New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force (2025)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2024

1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2023

1.3% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2022

1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2021

1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2020

1.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

🛰️ Space⬆️ Top

Space agency/agencies

New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA; established 2016 under the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment) (2025)

Space launch site(s)

Mahia Peninsula Launch Complex (Hawke's Bay) (2025)

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)

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

🚨 Terrorism⬆️ Top

Terrorist group(s)

Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

🌐 Transnational Issues⬆️ Top

Refugees and internally displaced persons — refugees

5,622 (2024 est.)

Refugees and internally displaced persons — IDPs

26 (2024 est.)

Refugees and internally displaced persons — stateless persons

29 (2024 est.)