Economy overview: Since 1984, the government has been implementing a program of economic restructuring, transforming the agrarian economy, dependent on preferential access to the British market, into a more industrial free market economy that can be competitive in the world market. The rapid growth of the economy has affected the increase in incomes of the population, the expansion and deepening of the technological capabilities of the industrial sector and the reduction in inflation. The inflation rate in New Zealand is one of the lowest among industrialized countries. GDP per capita is growing steadily and is approaching the level of the main Western European countries. The strong dependence of the New Zealand economy on foreign trade makes it sensitive to the economic situation in Asia, Europe and the United States. Since FY00-01, given the growth in pensions and other social spending, GDP: at purchasing power parity – $67.6 billion (2000 est.). Real GDP growth rate: 3.6% (2000 est.). GDP per capita: at purchasing power parity – $17,700 (2000 est.). The composition of GDP by sectors of the economy: agriculture: 8%; industry: 23%; service sector: 69% (1999). Proportion of the population below the poverty line: no data available. Percentage distribution of family income or consumption: per 10% of the poorest families: 0.3%; by 10% of the wealthiest families: 29.8%. Inflation rate at consumer prices: 2.4% (2000 est.). Labor force: 1.88 million people (2000). Employment structure: services 65%, industry 25%, agriculture 10% (1995). Unemployment rate: 6.3% (2000 est.). Budget: revenues: $19.2 billion; expenditures: $19.2 billion, including capital expenditures – NA (1999 est.). Spheres of economy: food industry, woodworking and paper industry, textile industry, mechanical engineering, production of transport equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining industry. Growth in industrial production: 6.2% (2000). Electricity generation: 37.952 billion kWh (1999) Sources of electricity generation: fossil fuels: 30.49%; hydropower: 61.42%; nuclear fuel: 0%; _ 😮 others: 8.09% (1999). Electricity consumption: 35.295 billion kWh (1999) Electricity export: 0 kWh (1999). Electricity import: 0 kWh (1999). Agricultural products: wheat, barley, potatoes, legumes, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef, dairy products; fish. Exports: $14.6 billion (free on board, 2000 est.) Exports: dairy products, meat, fish, wool, timber, manufactured goods. Export partners: Australia 22%, US 14%, Japan 13%, UK 7% (1999). Imports: $14.3 billion (free on board, 2000 est.) Import articles: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, oil, consumer goods, plastic products. Import partners: Australia 24%, US 17%, Japan 12%, UK 4% (1999). External debt: $30.8 billion (2000 est.) Economic Aid Donor: Official Development Support – $123 million (1995). Currency: New Zealand dollar. Currency code: NZD. Exchange rate: NZD/USD – 2.2502 (January 2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996). Fiscal year: July 1-June 30.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications Telephone lines: 1.84 million (1995). Mobile cell phones: 588,000 (1998). Telephone system: excellent local and international systems; internal: no data; international: submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satellite ground stations – 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean). Broadcast stations: AM – 124, FM – 290, shortwave – 4 (1998). Radio receivers: 3.75 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 41 (and 52 medium power relay stations and over 650 low power relay stations) (1997). Televisions: 1.926 million (1997) Internet Country Code: nz Internet Service Providers: 36 (2000). Number of users: 1.34 million (2000).
Transport
Transport Railways: total length: 3,913 km; narrow gauge: 3,913 km (1.067 m gauge) (519 km electrified) (1999). Roads: total length: 92,200 km; paved: 53,568 km (including at least 144 km of motorways); unpaved: 38,632 km (1996 est.) Waterways: 1,609 km; unsuitable for transportation. Pipelines: for oil products – 160 km; for natural gas – 1,000 km; for liquefied petroleum gas – 150 km. Ports and harbors: Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch, Auckland, Tauranga. Merchant navy: total: 9 ships (displacement 1,000 tons or more) with a total displacement of 72,389 gross register tons / 109,018 long tons of gross tonnage; ships of various types: bulk carriers – 3, cargo ships – 1, container ships – 1, oil tankers – 2, railcar carriers – 1, ferries – 1 (2000 est.). Airports: 111 (2000 est.). Airports with paved runways: total: 44; over 3,047 m: 2; from 2438 to 3047 m: 1; from 1524 to 2437 m: 10; from 914 to 1523 m:28; less than 914 m: 3 (2000 est.). Airports with unpaved runways: total: 67; from 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1; from 914 to 1523 m:24; less than 914 m: 42 (2000 est.).
Armed forces
Branches of the Armed Forces: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force. See militarynous.com to know more about New Zealand Military. Enlistment age: 20 years old. Total Military Manpower: Male 15 to 49: 1,000,102 (2001 est.). Eligible for military service: men aged 15 to 49: 841,915 (2001 est.). Number of persons reaching military age each year: male: 26,480 (2001 est.). Military spending in dollar terms: $883 million (FY97-98) Military spending as part of GDP: 1.1% (FY97-98)
International Issues
International Issues International Disputes: Territorial Claims in Antarctica (Ross Territory).
