New Zealand Facts

Here are some key New Zealand facts, figures and other interesting information, whether you are going on holiday or considering living there. It's difficult to be completely accurate with every fact provided in this section of the site as some figures are prone to fluctuate, such as population. This information is to be used as a guide only.

Key Facts and Figures

New Zealand Population

New Zealand is an independent nation and part of the British Commonwealth.

Currently around 4.5 Million. NZ is sparcely populated with about 16 inhabitants per sq km. 75% of the population lives in the North Island and 25% on the South Island.

Approximately distributed...

Auckland 1.26m
Wellington 360,000
Christchurch 370,000
Hamilton 158,000
Dunedin 120,000
Palmerston North 81,000

The population is mostly European/Pakeha, with about 15% Maori, 7% Pacific Islanders, 8% Asian, and 0.5% Other nationalities

Languages: English, Maori

Religion: Predominantly Christian (60%) and No Religion (25%)

Life Expectancy: Female 82 years and Male 76 years

Cities

Capital City: Wellington

Largest City: Auckland

Country

Land Mass Area: 270,534 sq km. A bit larger than the UK

Length: More than 1600km

Length of coastline: 15,811 km

Highest Mountain Peak: Mount Cook at 3,75 m

Deepest Cave: Nettlebed - Mount Arthur 889m

Longest River: Waikato River 425km

Largest Glacier: Tasman Glacier 29km

Largest Lake: Lake Taupo 606km

Deepest Lake: Lake Hauroko 462m

Infrastructure

Time Zone: GMT plus 12 hours (daylight savings + or - 1 hour)

Weights and Measures: Metric

Energy: Around 60% of electricity is produced by hydroelectric power with underground steam being used to produce a substantial amount of power in the North Island.

Electricity: 240V, 50Hz