LIVING IN NEW ZEALAND

FACTS AND FIGURES

POPULATION

New Zealand's population is just over 4.2 million. The New Zealand population is becoming increasingly diverse. The 2006 census figures show that 22.9% of people in New Zealand were born overseas. Of those living in New Zealand, 14.6% of the population identifies themselves as part of the Maori ethnic population; 6.9% as Pacific peoples; 9.2% as Asian; 0.9% as Middle Eastern/Latin American/African.

LANGUAGE

English is spoken by over 95% of New Zealanders, Maori is the next most commonly spoken language (4.1%), however, only 24,000 people are able to use New Zealand Sign Language which is the third official language, after English and Maori. Over 17.5% of the population speak two or more languages.

GEOGRAPHY

Located in the south-west Pacific, New Zealand has a 'spine' of mountain ranges running through the middle of both the North and South Islands. New Zealand is known for natural beauty, including over 15,000 kilometres of coastline, a number of glaciers, fiords, volcanoes and vast areas of farmland.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

New Zealand is a modern parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster parliamentary system. New Zealand's Parliament is currently made up of 120 Members representing eight parties.

While voting is not compulsory, as a New Zealand resident or citizen you will be required to enrol as an elector.

New Zealand is a member of the British Commonwealth (along with Australia, Canada and 51 other countries) and is also a member of numerous international organisations and international agreements.

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