Communications: Telephones: main lines
in use: 1.88 million (2012); mobile cellular: 4.922 million (2012).
Broadcast media: state-owned Television New Zealand operates multiple TV networks and state-owned Radio New Zealand operates 3 radio networks and an external shortwave radio service to the South Pacific region; a small number of national commercial TV and radio stations and many regional commercial television and radio stations are available; cable and satellite TV systems are available (2008). Internet hosts: 3.026 million
(2012). Internet users: 3.4 million (2009).

Geography

New Zealand, about 1,250 mi (2,012 km) southeast
of Australia, consists of two main islands and a number of smaller
outlying islands so scattered that they range from the tropical to the
antarctic. The country is the size of Colorado. New Zealand's two main
components are the North Island and the South Island, separated by Cook
Strait. The North Island (44,281 sq mi; 115,777 sq km) is 515 mi (829 km)
long and volcanic in its south-central part. This area contains many hot
springs and beautiful geysers. South Island (58,093 sq mi; 151,215 sq km)
has the Southern Alps along its west coast, with Mount Cook (12,316 ft;
3754 m) the highest point. Other inhabited islands include Stewart Island,
the Chatham Islands, and Great Barrier Island. The largest of the
uninhabited outlying islands are the Auckland Islands (234 sq mi; 606 sq
km), Campbell Island (44 sq mi; 114 sq km), the Antipodes Islands (24 sq
mi; 62 sq km), and the Kermadec Islands (13 sq mi; 34 sq km).

Government

Parliamentary democracy.

History

Maoris were the first inhabitants of New
Zealand, arriving on the islands in about 1000. Maori oral history
maintains that the Maoris came to the island in seven canoes from other
parts of Polynesia. In 1642, New Zealand was explored by Abel Tasman, a
Dutch navigator. British captain James Cook made three voyages to the
islands, beginning in 1769. Britain formally annexed the islands in
1840.

The Treaty of Waitangi (Feb. 6, 1840) between
the British and several Maori tribes promised to protect Maori land if the
Maoris recognized British rule. Encroachment by British
settlers was relentless, however, and skirmishes between the two groups
intensified.

Instituting Social Welfare

From the outset, the country has been in the
forefront of social welfare legislation. New Zealand was the
world's first country to give women the right to vote (1893). It adopted
old-age pensions (1898); a national child welfare program (1907); social
security for the elderly, widows, and orphans, along with family benefit
payments; minimum wages; a 40-hour workweek and unemployment and health
insurance (1938); and socialized medicine (1941).

New Zealand fought with the Allies in both world
wars as well as in Korea. In 1999, it became part of the UN peacekeeping
force sent to East Timor.

In recent years, New Zealand has introduced
extremely liberal social policies. In June 2003, Parliament legalized
prostitution and in Dec. 2004, same-sex unions were recognized. In 2005,
Helen Clark was elected for the second time. She lost her reelection bid in 2008, when the
center-right National Party, led by John Key, took 45.5% of the vote in
parliamentary elections. Clark's Labour Party garnered 33.8%. Key became
prime minister in November. Key's win ended nine years of governance by
the Labour Party.

New Zealand Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

On April 17, 2013, New Zealand's Parliament voted 77 to 44 in favor of same-sex
marriage. Prime Minister John Key supported the legislation. The passing of the law made New Zealand the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to legalize same-sex marriage.

The new marriage equality law, which goes into effect in August 2013, also allows same-sex couples to adopt children. Their marriages are also recognized in other countries. With the passing of the legislation, New Zealand becomes the 13th country in the world where same-sex marriage is legal.