• New Zealand:
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New Zealand - Society

Population: 4,179,000 (2007); 86% lives in urban areas; growth 0.9% p.a. 1970–90 and 1.1% p.a. 1990–2004; birth rate (2005) 14 per 1,000 people (22 in 1970); life expectancy 80 years (71 in 1970).

The 2001 census recorded 526,281 people of Polynesian (Maori) descent; 231,798 Pacific Island Polynesians, mostly from Samoa (114,435), Cook Islands (52,227) and Tonga (40,713); some 80,000 Chinese; and 40,000 Indians. Over 75% of the population lives in North Island, of which the average population density is 24 per sq km (South Island: 6 per sq km).

Religion: 70% of people adhere to a religion; 59% of people are Christians (Anglicans 17%, Roman Catholics 14%, Presbyterians 12%, Methodists 3.5%); others include Ratana (Maori) 1.4%, Buddhists 1.2% and Hindus 1.1% (2001 census).

Language: English and Maori are the official languages and many information documents are also translated into Polynesian.

Media: Largest dailies are The New Zealand Herald (Auckland, the main national newspaper), The Dominion Post (Wellington), The Press (Christchurch) and Otago Daily Times (Dunedin). Around 30 daily papers – mostly evening editions – are published locally and regionally. The principal Sunday papers are Sunday Star Times and Sunday News. The Maori monthly Kia Hiwa Ra has a readership of over 15,000; and there is a fortnightly Maori paper Te Maori News. More than 2,300 magazines circulate on a regular basis, including the bi-monthly Maori Mana magazine.

State-owned Television New Zealand (TVNZ) operates TV1 and TV2, and the public Maori Television is aimed at promoting the Maori language and culture. TV3 and Prime TV are private networks, and Sky TV runs pay-to-view channels.

State-run Radio New Zealand operates three stations: National Radio, Concert FM and The AM Network. Riua Mai is a government-funded Maori-owned radio station and Tourist Information FM provides visitors with useful travel information 24 hours a day.

There are 574 TV sets (2002), 493 personal computers (2004) and 788 internet users (2006) per 1,000 people.

Education: Public spending on education was 6.5% of GDP in 2005. There are 12 years of compulsory education starting at age five. Net enrolment ratios are 99% for primary and 93% for secondary (2005). The pupil–teacher ratio for primary is 16:1 and for secondary, 15:1 (2005). The school year starts in January.

About 82% of the relevant age group is enrolled in tertiary education (2005). There are colleges of education (Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin), and the University of Waikato has a School of Education. There are seven universities (Auckland, Waikato, Massey, Victoria at Wellington, Canterbury, Lincoln and Otago) and 25 polytechnics. In 1997, there were 106,500 university and 94,200 polytechnic students. Maori Education Trust awards scholarships and grants to promote Maori education. There is virtually no illiteracy among people age 15–24.

Health: Treatment in public hospitals is free for everyone. Infant mortality was 5 per 1,000 live births in 2005 (22 in 1960).

Communications: Country code 64. Most public phones take cards purchased from bookstalls; some also accept credit cards, but very few still accept coins. Mobile phone coverage is good and there are roaming agreements with most international providers.

Internet cafes are widely available and can be found in cities and smaller towns. Travellers may access the internet at many hotels and youth hostels.

There are 429 main telephone lines and 876 mobile phones per 1,000 people (2006).

Public holidays: New Year (two days), Waitangi Day (anniversary of the 1840 treaty, 6 February), ANZAC Day (25 April), Queen’s Official Birthday (first Monday in June), Labour Day (fourth Monday in October), Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The anniversaries of the former provinces of New Zealand are observed locally as holidays.

Religious and other festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday and Easter Monday.