Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
New Zealand
- Where is New Zealand located?
- What are the two main islands of New Zealand called?
- What languages are spoken in New Zealand?
- Who are the Māori people in New Zealand?
- What is New Zealand known for in nature and wildlife?
- How did British colonization affect New Zealand's history and culture?
News•
New Zealand, islandcountry in the SouthPacific Ocean, the southwesternmost part of Polynesia. New Zealand is a remote land—one of the last sizable territories suitable for habitation to be populated and settled—and lies more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast ofAustralia, its nearest neighbour. The countrycomprises two main islands—theNorth and theSouth Island—and a number of small islands, some of them hundreds of miles from the main group. The capital city isWellington and the largest urban areaAuckland; both are located on the North Island. New Zealand administers the South Pacific island group ofTokelau and claims a section of theAntarctic continent.Niue and theCook Islands are self-governing states in free association with New Zealand.
New Zealand is a land of great contrasts anddiversity. Active volcanoes, spectacular caves, deep glacier lakes, verdant valleys, dazzling fjords, long sandy beaches, and the spectacular snowcapped peaks of theSouthern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana on the South Island—all contribute to New Zealand’s scenic beauty. New Zealand also has a unique array of vegetation and animal life, much of which developed during the country’s prolonged isolation. It is the sole home, for example, of the long-beaked, flightlesskiwi, theubiquitous nickname for New Zealanders.
- Head Of Government:
- Prime Minister:Christopher Luxon
- Capital:
- Wellington
- Population:
- (2026 est.) 5,475,000
- Currency Exchange Rate:
- 1 USD equals 1.734 New Zealand dollar
- Head Of State:
- British Monarch:King Charles III, represented by Governor-General: Dame Alcyion Cynthia (Cindy) Kiro
- Form Of Government:
- constitutional monarchy with one legislative house (House of Representatives [120])
- Official Languages:
- English; Māori; New Zealand Sign Language1
- Official Religion:
- none
- Official Name:
- New Zealand (English); Aotearoa (Māori)
- Total Area (Sq Km):
- 265,700
- Total Area (Sq Mi):
- 102,587
- Monetary Unit:
- New Zealand dollar (NZ$)
- Population Rank:
- (2025) 126
- Population Projection 2030:
- 5,283,000
- Density: Persons Per Sq Mi:
- (2026) 53.4
- Density: Persons Per Sq Km:
- (2026) 20.6
- Urban-Rural Population:
- Urban: (2018) 83.7%
- Rural: (2018) 16.3%
- Life Expectancy At Birth:
- Male: (2024) 88.5 years
- Female: (2024) 84 years
- Literacy: Percentage Of Population Age 15 And Over Literate:
- Male: not available
- Female: not available
- Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000):
- (2023) 251,852
- Gni Per Capita (U.S.$):
- (2023) 48,220
New Zealand was the largest country inPolynesia when it was annexed by Great Britain in 1840. Thereafter it was successively a crown colony, a self-governing colony (1856), and a dominion (1907). By the 1920s it controlled almost all of its internal and external policies, although it did not become fully independent until 1947, when it adopted theStatute of Westminster. It is a member of theCommonwealth.
The ascent ofMount Everest by New ZealanderSir Edmund Hillary with SherpaTenzing Norgay in 1953 was one of the defining moments of the 20th century. “In some ways,” Hillary suggested, “I believe I epitomise the average New Zealander: I have modest abilities, Icombine these with a good deal of determination, and I rather like to succeed.”
Despite New Zealand’s isolation, the country has been fully engaged in international affairs since the early 20th century, being an active member of a number of intergovernmental institutions, including theUnited Nations. It has also participated in several wars, including World Wars I and II. Economically the country was dependent on the export of agricultural products, especially to GreatBritain. The entry of Britain into theEuropean Community in the early 1970s, however, forced New Zealand to expand its trade relations with other countries. It also began to develop a much more extensive and varied industrial sector. Tourism has played an increasingly important role in the economy, though this sector has beenvulnerable to global financial instability.
The social and cultural gap between New Zealand’s two main groups—theindigenousMāori of Polynesian heritage and the colonizers and later immigrants from theBritish Isles and their descendants—has decreased since the 1970s, though educational and economic differences between the two groups remain. Immigration from other areas—Asia, Africa, and eastern Europe—has also made a mark, and New Zealandculture today reflects these many influences. Minority rights and race-related issues continue to play an important role in New Zealand politics.
Land
New Zealand is about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) long (north-south) and about 280 miles (450 km) across at its widest point. The country has slightly less surface area than theU.S. state ofColorado and a little more than theUnited Kingdom. About two-thirds of the land is economically useful, the remainder being mountainous. Because of its numerous harbours andfjords, the country has an extremely long coastline relative to its area.
