New Zealand

New Zealand is an isolated country in the South Pacific Ocean; the society is highly sophisticated with a relatively high standard of living. The people of New Zealand have a high literacy rate and unemployment is the lowest in the western world, helping boost an economic boom that does not look to be slowing down. New Zealand is specifically a peaceful country and resides on the fact that they are seen to be a very desirable location.

The climate has many contrasts with it’s: glacial mountains, fast-flowing rivers, deep, clear lakes, volcanic activity, abundant forest reserves, long, deserted beaches and rich farming pastures.

Numerous outdoor activities such as tramping, skiing, rafting, mountain biking and bungy jumping, await the adventurous. You can swim with dolphins, gambol with newborn lambs, whale-watch or fish for fattened trout in the many streams. Or just enjoy the many beaches and countryside at your own leisure.

Because it’s such a compact place, travel within New Zealand, whether by plane, bus, rail, car or bicycle, is affordable and efficient. Accommodation too is cheap and varied.

Country:	New Zealand
Area:	268,680 sq km
Population:	4 million
People:	75% European, 10% Maori, 5% other European, 4.5% Polynesian, 5% Asian, 0.5% other
Language:	English, Maori (indigenous people’s language)
Religion:	Christian (75%)
Government:	Parliamentary Democracy

GDP:	NZ$132 billion
GDP per capita:	NZ$33,460
Annual Growth:	4.8%
Inflation:	2.7%
Major Industries:	Tourism, Dairy, Food Processing, Wood and Paper Products, Wool, Textiles, Machinery.
Major Trading Partners:	Australia, Japan, UK, China and the USA