New Zealand is a country in Oceania, known for dramatic landscapes and Maori culture. It has a population of over 5 million, making it the 126th largest country in the world. Its capital is Wellington. New Zealand has a advanced economy with strong agricultural sector.
* As of 6/9/2025
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As far as demographics are concerned, the indigenous Maoris were overtaken in terms of numbers by European settlers as early as the 19th century. The 2013 census revealed that of the total population of over 4 million, 74% of citizens declared themselves to be of European descent. Maoris made up for 14.9% with those of Asian ethnicity contributing another 11.8%.
In terms of languages used within New Zealand, there are quite a few. They include English (de facto official language) 89.8%, Maori (de jure official) 3.5%, Samoan 2%, Hindi 1.6%, French 1.2%, Northern Chinese 1.2%, Yue 1%, other or not stated 20.5%, New Zealand Sign Language (official language). Many respondents use multiple languages which will create 100%+ sums in some of these notes.
The religions among the residents of New Zealand come in at Christian 44.3% (including Catholic 11.6%, Anglican 10.8%, Presbyterian and Congregational 7.8%, Methodist, 2.4%, Pentecostal 1.8%, other 9.9%), Hindu 2.1%, Buddhist 1.4%, Maori Christian 1.3%, Islam 1.1%, other religion 1.4% (includes Judaism, Spiritualism and New Age religions, Baha’i, Asian religions other than Buddhism), no religion 38.5%, not stated or unidentified 8.2%, and those objected to answering came in at 4.1%.
The terms of GDP, the economy in New Zealand is the 53rd strongest in the world, much of which is dependent upon their foreign trade with countries like Australia, all of the European Union, the United States, China, South Korea, Canada, and Japan. Their proximity and the Closer Economic Relations agreement in 1983 brought the economies of New Zealand and Australia close together and they operate in very similar fashions.
New Zealand’s government is a unitary parliamentary representative democracy, as well as a constitutional, hereditary monarchy. While the Prime Minister is the most important person in the day-to-day government, above them in the constitutional hierarchy is New Zealand’s monarch, the British King or Queen. Therefore, King Charles III is the current Head of State in New Zealand, having succeeded his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. Legislative power is divided between the king and the House of Representatives. Since the king is not often physically present, the Governor-General of New Zealand acts in his place. Executive power is more in the hands of the people and ministers for the House of Representatives are elected democratically.
New Zealand was occupied by the Polynesian people since roughly 1200-1300 AD, but not much is known about the people of this time. Abel Tasman from the Netherlands came to the south island in 1642 and dubbed the territory with its current name. The British began to inhabit the area in the early 1800s.
The British officially established their rule in 1840, much to the disdain of the indigenous people, causing nearly 30 years of civil disputes. New Zealand sent thousands to fight for the British in World War I, causing mass casualties. They were in a similar situation during World War II. Post World War II, New Zealand gained full independence from Britain in 1947.