Country
Countries A-Z
New Zealand
Aotearoa
Political Status: Constitutional democracy with Queen Elizabeth II as titular head of state; formally independent since 1947.
Area: 104,454 sq. mi. (270,534 sq. km).
Population: 4,619,036 (2012E—UN); 4,327,944 (2012E—U.S. Census); 4,495,721 (2013E—N.Z. Statistics).
Major Urban Centers (2012E): WELLINGTON (202,200), Auckland (1,397,300; conurbation 1,507,700), Christchurch (348,200), Hamilton (148,200), Dunedin (126,900).
Official Languages: English, Maori.
Monetary Unit: New Zealand Dollar (market rate November 1, 2013: 1.22 dollars = $1US).
Sovereign: Queen ELIZABETH II.
Governor General: General Sir Jerry MATAPARAI, named by Queen Elizabeth II on March 7, 2011, to succeed Sir Anand SATYANAND, effective August 31.
Prime Minister: John Phillip KEY (National Party), named by the governor general to form a new government following the parliamentary election of November 8, 2008, and sworn in ...