Printout of New Zealand Official Yearbook, On the Web 1999 (as at 1 September 1999)

Almost three-quarters of New Zealand is covered by sedimentary rocks. The most common forms are sandstone, mudstone, greywacke, conglomerate and limestone. Other rock types are metamorphic rocks (schist, gneiss and marble), intrusive igneous rocks (granite, gabbro, diorite and serpentine) and volcanic rocks (basalt, andesite, rhyolite and ignimbrite).

New Zealand's topography is varied with 50 percent of the land classifiable as steep, 20 percent as moderately hilly, and 30 percent as rolling or flat. The natural vegetation ranges from kauri forest to subalpine scrub, and from tussock grassland to broadleaf forest.

Between six million and one million years ago, mountain chains were pushed up. Erosion has transformed the landscape since that time, while glaciers have carved the fiords of Fiordland and the valleys occupied by most of the South Island lakes. Volcanic activity has also shaped the landscape. The most recognisable volcanoes include Ruapehu, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, White Island and Mount Tarawera, which are active, and Mount Taranaki (or Egmont) and Rangitoto, which are considered dormant at present.

Compared with some other countries lying around the rim of the Pacific, the level of seismic activity in New Zealand is moderate. A shock of Richter magnitude 6 or above occurs on average about once a year, a shock of magnitude 7 or above once in ten years, and a shock of about magnitude 8 perhaps once a century.

The Main Seismic Region covers the whole of the North Island except Northland peninsula, and north of a line roughly passing between Banks Peninsula and Cape Foulwind in the South Island. The Southern, or Fiordland, Seismic Region includes southern Westland, western Southland, and western Otago.

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) climate summary 1998:

http://www.niwa.cri.nz

http://www.metservice.co.nz

Whole orders and families are found only in New Zealand: tuātara, moa and kiwi, all of the native lizards, and all the native earthworms (nearly 200 species) to name just a few. Moa (11 species, some up to 3 m tall) became extinct in pre-European times, but many other large flightless birds still remain including kiwi, the nocturnal kākāpō (the only flightless parrot in the world), and weka (of the rail family). Flightless insects are numerous including many large beetles and 70 or so endemic species of the cricket-like weta.

New Zealand has the most diverse seabird fauna of any country (87 species). About 400 different marine fish are resident in the waters around New Zealand as well as various species of seal, dolphins and porpoises. Thirty-two species of whale have been recorded.

http://www.forest-bird.org.nz

The most widespread and complex type of forest in New Zealand is a podocarp (conifer) broadleaf association. It is characterised by the variety of species, a stratified canopy and an abundance of vines and epiphytic plants. Kauri, which dominates only in the warmer climes to the north, and beech are other forest types.

A remarkable 25 percent of all New Zealand's plants can be found above the treeline. Ninety-three percent of all the alpine plants are endemic (compared with 80 percent for the rest of the higher plants). Snow tussock herb-fields are one of the most distinctive elements in this cold, windswept environment. A definitive feature of New Zealand's land-based plants and animals is their degree of specialisation and narrow habitat requirements (e.g. takahē/tussock grasslands; blue duck/fast flowing rivers and streams), and their evolution in the absence of mammalian predators (birds) or browsers (plants). This specialisation, and the adaptations which make New Zealand's wildlife so unique, render them extremely vulnerable to introduced predators (such as rats and cats) and competitors (such as deer and possums) and loss of habitat.

http://www.doc.govt.nz

In the pre-1800 period following the arrival and expansion of Māori, forest cover was reduced and some 34 species became extinct including moa, the adzebill and the flightless goose. In the much shorter post-1800 period of European settlement the area of forest was further reduced to around 25 percent of the land, 9 more birds became extinct and many more are threatened. Many new species were introduced (since 1840 over 80 species of mammal, bird and fish and more than 1,800 plant species) totally changing the landscape and ecology.

http://www.mfe.govt.nz

The Governor-General is the representative of the Sovereign in New Zealand and exercises the royal powers derived from statute and the general law (prerogative powers). The powers of the Governor-General are set out in the Letters Patent 1983, and it is for the courts to decide on the limits of these powers. The Governor-General's main constitutional function is to arrange for the leader of the party with the most support in Parliament to form a government.

The Crown is part of Parliament and the Governor-General's assent is required before bills can become law. The Governor-General is required, however, by constitutional convention and the Letters Patent, to follow the advice of ministers. In extraordinary circumstances the Governor-General can reject advice if he or she believes that a government is intending to act unconstitutionally. This is known as the reserve power.

The Sovereign appoints the Governor-General on the Prime Minister's recommendation, normally for a term of five years.

http://www.gov-gen.govt.nz

The Parliament of New Zealand consists of the Sovereign in right of New Zealand (normally represented by the Governor-General) and an elected House of Representatives. The Constitution Act 1986 vests in Parliament the power to make laws.

Perhaps the most important privilege of the House is that of freedom of speech, guaranteed by the Bill of Rights 1688, and claimed by the Speaker upon confirmation in office by the Governor-General.

The House meets in answer to a summons from the Governor-General. The Speaker, elected by the House, is the principal presiding officer, maintaining order in proceedings and ensuring the Standing Orders are complied with.

For the current list of MPs: http://www.ps.parliament.govt.nz/mps.htm

Enrolment as an elector is compulsory, but voting is not. New Zealanders 18 years and over have the right to vote in parliamentary elections.

The Commissions of Inquiry Act 1908 provides that the Governor-General may appoint any person or persons to be a commission to inquire into and report upon any question arising out of, or concerning:

Commissions of inquiry must report to the Governor-General, who in turn refers the findings to his or her ministers. The reports are usually published.

Royal commissions are generally regarded as having the most prestige. A committee of inquiry may be set up by a minister to investigate some matter, but such a committee normally has no statutory basis, although there are ancillary powers in some instances.

The State Sector Act 1988 provides for a State Services Commission and for the positions of a State Services Commissioner (the commission's chief executive) and Deputy State Services Commissioner.

The commissioner's principal functions relate to the departments of the public service. They include:

The commission also helps the government to manage major changes in the state sector.

Through the State Sector Act the commission is responsible for promoting, developing and monitoring Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) programmes in departments of the public service. The purpose of such programmes is defined in the act as “...the identification and elimination of all aspects of policies, procedures and other institutional barriers that cause or perpetuate, or tend to cause or perpetuate inequality in respect to the employment of any persons or group of persons.” (See section 6.3 Equal Employment Opportunities Trust)

The functions of government departments are under a continual process of review.

For information on government departments visit http://www.govt.nz

For profiles of government departments' chief executives visit http://www.ssc.govt.nz/Frame.asp?Content=CEs/CEs.asp

The Controller and Auditor-General is an officer of the Crown appointed by the Governor-General under the Public Finance Act 1977 who with the persons acting under his or her delegation are collectively called “the Audit Office”.

The function of the Audit Office is to act as a monitor on behalf of Parliament and to control issues of money out of the Crown Bank Account. The Audit Office audits the financial statements of government departments, local authorities, and most government-controlled corporations, boards and companies. Audit reports are tabled in Parliament each year.

http://www.netlink.co.nz/~oag

The Official Information Act 1982 is based on the principle that information shall be made available unless there is good reason for withholding it. The purposes of the act are to:

An information guide on access to personal and official information is available from the Ministry of Justice. There is also a “Directory of Official Information” which is published every two years, and is a comprehensive guide to all the organisations covered by the act. It includes their structure, functions, policies, documents held, contact officers and other listings which facilitate the access of information. The directory can ease the identification of material and assist the lodging of requests.

http://www.knowledge-basket.co.nz/gpprint/acts/reprint/text/1982/an/156.html

The principal function of the Ombudsmen is to enquire into complaints relating to administrative decisions of government departments and related organisations, Crown health enterprises and regional health authorities. Under the Ombudsmen Act 1975 there is provision for the appointment of a Chief Ombudsman and one or more ombudsmen, in either temporary or permanent positions. Sir Brian Elwood CBE was appointed Chief Ombudsman on 14 December 1994 and Judge Anand Satyanand was appointed as an Ombudsman in February 1995.

All investigations undertaken by ombudsmen are conducted in private. When an ombudsman believes a complaint can be sustained, this opinion is reported to the government department or organisation concerned along with any recommendation for action. A copy of this report is also made available to the responsible minister, mayor or chairperson.

Ombudsmen also investigate recommendations made to a minister by any government department, organisation or employee. Similarly, they look into any recommendations made to a full council or board of a local organisation by any committee, subcommittee, officer, employee, or member. It is also the responsibility of the ombudsmen to investigate any complaints on decisions for the request of official information.

The functions of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Te Mana Matapono Matatapu, are set out in the Privacy Act 1993. The office is independent of the Executive and of Parliament. One of the main purposes of the act is the promotion and protection of individual privacy.

There are 12 information privacy principles which deal with the collection, security, use and disclosure of personal information, access to and correction of personal information, and the assignment and use of unique identifiers.

The most important code issued by the commissioner is the Health Information Privacy Code 1994, which provides stringent controls on the collection, use and disclosure of medical and health information by agencies throughout the health sector.

The Privacy Commissioner investigates complaints alleging the breaches of the principles, codes of practice and information matching rules.

If a complaint cannot be settled the Privacy Commissioner may refer it to the Proceedings Commissioner, who may in turn issue proceedings before the Complaints Review Tribunal. If either of the commissioners do not do so, the aggrieved individual may issue proceedings before the tribunal. The tribunal has the power to award a number of remedies, including declaring that an action has caused an interference with privacy, orders, damages and costs.

http://www.knowledge-basket.co.nz/privacy/welcome.html

The Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment was created in response to significant public demands for an independent authority to review and publicly report on the environmental effects of central and local government works and policies.

Commissioner appointments are made by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the House of Representatives. The term of appointment is five years.

The principal functions of the commissioner comprise:

During 1997–98 major investigations were initiated on issues related to public authority performance, public participation, and aspects of management of the conservation estate.

Public Trust is a self-funding government department operating under the Public Trust Office Act 1957.

It was created in 1873 to provide all New Zealanders with the opportunity to write a will (thereby decreasing the number of intestacies) and to provide executor and trustee services.

Public Trust administers over 52,000 estates, trusts, funds and agencies. It also holds the statutorily-required deposits of insurance companies. Most of Public Trust's activities are commercial in nature but it is also required to provide a number of statutory services which may not be income earning.

There are:

http://www.elections.govt.nz/elections/general/localauthorities/index.html

The main functions of regional councils are:

The 74 territorial authorities consist of:

Territorial authorities have a wide range of functions including land use consents under the Resource Management Act 1991, noise control, litter control, roading, water supply, sewage reticulation and disposal, rubbish collection and disposal, parks and reserves, libraries, land subdivision, pensioner housing, health inspection, liquor licensing, building consent, parking controls and civil defence.

A community board is primarily an advocate for its community, and a means whereby the territorial authority can consult with the community. Any power the community board has is delegated by the territorial authority, but cannot include such powers as levying rates, appointing staff, or owning property.

Community boards may be partly elected by the community and partly appointed by the territorial authority from among its own members, or may be entirely elected.

Local government elections are held on the second Saturday in October every third year. All regional council, territorial authority, special purpose local authority and community board elections are conducted at the same time.

http://www.localgovt.co.nz

The commission comprises three members including a chairperson appointed by the Minister of Local Government. Its main function is to act as a quasi-judicial appeal authority for local government.

The basis of the flag is the Union Flag (Jack) in the upper left quarter, and the Southern Cross on a blue background to the right which is represented by four five-pointed stars with white borders. It is the symbol of the realm, government and people of New Zealand.

http://www.govt.nz/nz info/flag.shtml

The lawful use of the New Zealand coat of arms is confined to official purposes.

http://inform.dia.govt.nz/internal affairs/services/coatofarms/coatofarms.html

New Zealand has two national anthems: “God Defend New Zealand” and “God Save The Queen”. They have equal status.

http://www.govt.nz/nz info/anthem.shtml

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is responsible on behalf of the government for all major policy functions related to New Zealand's external relations. The ministry's main work is the management of New Zealand's bilateral relations with other countries and interests in international institutions. Other functions include the management of New Zealand's official development assistance, provision of consular services to New Zealanders abroad, and provision of operational and administrative support services to other New Zealand government agencies overseas.

The ministry also administers Tokelau and undertakes external affairs and defence functions for the Cook Islands and Niue, after consultations with their respective heads of government.

http://www.mft.govt.nz

New Zealand's Official Development Assistance (NZODA) programme provides assistance to developing countries to help them better meet their people's economic and social needs.

The NZODA is funded by two core payments set by Parliament. For the 1998–99 financial year these are:

The total disbursement on NZODA currently amounts to nearly 0.25 percent of New Zealand's Gross National Product (GNP).

http://www.mft.govt.nz/nzoda/nzoda.html

New Zealand was a founding member of the United Nations (UN) organisation in 1945. New Zealand continues to have a high profile at the UN. Current New Zealand Permanent Representative Michael Powles and his predecessor Colin Keating each chaired one of the five important reform working groups set up by the UN General Assembly to advance the reform process. In addition, New Zealand diplomat Denise Almao currently serves on the powerful UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). This body examines and reports on the budgets and accounts of the UN and its constituent bodies. New Zealand has also been elected to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the period 1998–2000.

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) was established on 1 January 1995. It is an international organisation which acts as a single institutional framework over the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the multilateral agreements that resulted from the Uruguay Round.

Like the GATT, which it now includes, the WTO is a multilateral trade treaty. It provides both a code of rules and a forum in which countries can discuss and address their trade problems and negotiate and enlarge world trading opportunities.

Each WTO member must grant all other members treatment as favourable as that which they grant any other country. This principle is particularly important for countries such as New Zealand, since it ensures that larger countries cannot adopt discriminatory trade policies (except for preferential free trade areas and customs unions).

http://www.wto.org

The World Bank is a multilateral lending agency consisting of five closely-associated institutions-the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICISID). The common objective of the institutions is to help raise the living standards in developing countries by channelling financial resources from developed countries to them. New Zealand joined the World Bank in 1961.

New Zealand has subscribed to a total of 7,236 shares in the IBRD, which represents 0.51 percent of the total voting shares. The shares have a total par value of US$723.6 million, although over 90 percent of this amount has not been called up but, together with the uncalled subscription of the other member countries, acts as a guarantee for the bank's borrowing in the financial markets. New Zealand owns 2,025 fully paid shares in the IFC which have a total par value of US$2.025 million.

http://www.worldbank.org

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a development finance institution. Established in 1965, it is owned by 37 countries from the Asia-Pacific region including New Zealand and 16 countries from Europe and North America. The ADB's principal function is to promote and finance the economic and social advancement of its 33 Asia-Pacific developing country members.

New Zealand currently holds 27,170 shares in the ADB, about 2.6 percent of the bank's voting shares. The shares have a total par value of US $381.35 million. The country also makes contributions to the periodic replenishment of the ADB's Asian Development Fund, the bank's facility for lending to its poorest developing member countries. New Zealand has contributed over $51 million to the ADB since 1974.

http://www.adb.org

New Zealand is one of the 54 members of the Commonwealth which include countries in the six continents and the five oceans of the world. The Cook Islands and Niue, which have a continuing constitutional association with New Zealand, are associate members.

The Commonwealth is an effective vehicle for strengthening political and economic links between its members. New Zealand contributes actively to its activities at governmental and non-governmental levels.

http://www.tcol.co.uk

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (0ECD) based in Paris, France, is an intergovernmental organisation of 29 member countries. The OECD's fundamental mission is to enable members to consult and co-operate to achieve the highest possible sustainable economic growth, improve the economic and social well-being of their populations, and contribute to development worldwide.

Membership gives New Zealand the opportunity to interact with the world's most advanced economies in a continuing way that is not available in any other setting. The OECD also provides New Zealand with access to considerable economic policy resources and knowledge.

http://www.oecd.org

Tokelau consists of three small atolls in the South Pacific-Atafu, Fakaofo and Nukunonu-with a combined land area of 12 sq km and a population of around 1,500.

The main objective of New Zealand's relationship with Tokelau is that of fostering a greater degree of self-government and economic self-sufficiency for the Tokelau people.

The Council of Faipule's head is the Ulu o Tokelau (Leader of Tokelau), a post which rotates on a yearly basis. The Ulu for 1998 is Kuresa Nasau, Faipule of Atafu.

http://www.mft.govt.nz/foreign/regions/sthpacific.html

The Ross Dependency consists of the land, permanent ice-shelf and islands of Antarctica between 160° east to 150° west. The land is almost entirely covered by ice, and is uninhabited except for people working on scientific research programmes. New Zealand has exercised jurisdiction over the territory since 1923.

An Antarctic scientific research programme is maintained in the Ross Dependency, with New Zealand operating Scott Base on Ross Island as a permanent base.

The Chief of Naval Staff exercises command and control of the Royal New Zealand Navy and is assisted by the naval staff.

http://www.navy.mil.nz

The Chief of General Staff commands the army, supported by the army general staff.

The army comprises regular, territorial, and reserve elements and provides the following operational options:

http://www.army.mil.nz

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) provides forces for maritime surveillance and reconnaissance, offensive air support and air transport in New Zealand's area of interest. The Chief of Air Staff, supported by the air staff, commands the RNZAF.

http://www.airforce.mil.nz

The External Assessments Bureau (EAB) is part of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. It produces intelligence assessments of events and trends overseas to support informed decision-making by the government on events or trends likely to influence New Zealand's foreign relations and external interests. The staff prepare assessments and reports on political, economic, biographic, strategic and scientific matters.

The functions of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service are to obtain, correlate, and evaluate intelligence relevant to security and to advise ministers on security matters. It is not a function of the service to enforce measures for security or to further the interests of any political party. The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Act 1969 (amended in 1977 and 1996) does not limit the right of persons to engage in lawful advocacy, protest or dissent in respect of any matter and the exercise of that right shall not, of itself, justify the service in instituting surveillance of any person or entity within New Zealand.

The service reports directly to a minister (the Minister in Charge of the Security Intelligence Service) and is subject to oversight and review by the Inspector-General and the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliamentarians, both of which were established by acts passed in 1996.

During the year ended 31 March 1998, three warrants were issued for the detection of activities prejudicial to security (section 4A (1) (a) (i) of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Act 1969). A further three warrants had been issued for the purpose of that sub-paragraph before but remained in force at some time during the year ended 31 March 1998. The average term for each warrant was four months and eight days. The methods of interception used were listening devices and the copying of documents.

http://www.knowledge-basket.co.nz/gpDrint/acts/reprint/text/1969/an/024.html

Responsible to the Prime Minister, the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) provides information, advice and assistance to the New Zealand government, government departments and organisations. The GCSB is subject to oversight and review under two acts: the Intelligence and Security Committee Act 1996, and the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1996. Its functions are communications security and computer security-protecting information that is processed, stored or communicated by electronic or similar means and including:

The GCSB head office is in Wellington, and it operates two communications stations, the Defence Communications Unit, Tangimoana, and the Defence Satellite Communications Unit, Waihopai, Blenheim.

Changes in the first 150 years of European settlement in New Zealand reflected international social and economic trends. Depression and recovery, along with gold rushes, world wars and assisted immigration schemes, saw population growth rates fluctuate regularly.

The population reached 500,000 in 1880, boosted by government-assisted immigration. The first million was surpassed in 1908 following the Depression of the 1880s and 1890s. After World War II the growth rate climbed dramatically (compared with the early 1930s) as the baby boom and increased immigration made their impact. The second million of population was reached in 1952 and the third in 1973. Almost one-fifth of this growth came from net immigration. Since 1974 New Zealand's population increased by over 500,000 to reach 3.68 million at the 1996 Census.

Over the past 20 years significant fluctuations in population growth were caused by external migration. New Zealand's population grew by a record 266,752 during 1971–76, only 46,354 during 1976–81, 131, 347 during 1981–86, 127,866 during 1986–91 and 246,596 over the latest intercensal period, 1991–96.

5.1

For data used in this graph click the Excel icon at the end of this chapter.

The latest resident population estimates show New Zealand's total population has grown since the 1996 Census to reach 3,803,900 at 31 December 1998 (provisional).

National Population Estimates - Statistical release

From the end of the gold boom in the South Island in the 1870s, the proportion of New Zealanders in the South Island began to decrease. From the 1896 Census onward the North Island population has exceeded that of the South.

Since that time the North Island's population has continued to expand. In 1956, 69 percent of the population resided in the North Island; by 1996 it was almost 75 percent.

New Zealanders are a mobile people and, while the majority of movement is within regions, there is a significant traffic of people between regions.

During 1986–91, regions in the north of each island gained more people from internal migration than did other regions, with the highest growth areas being Auckland and Bay of Plenty in the North Island and Nelson-Marlborough and Canterbury in the South Island.

Population Structure and Internal Migration - 1996 Census of Population and Dwellings - Reference report. free sample table

Eighty-five percent of New Zealanders lived in urban areas at the 1996 Census. Cities have increased in importance over time. In 1911 half the population was found in urban areas, rising to more than three-quarters by 1961.

While 85 percent of the population lived in urban areas at the time of the 1996 Census, 69 percent lived in “main urban areas” (places with 30,000 people or over).

In 1996, 29 percent of New Zealand's population lived in Auckland, compared with only 14 percent 70 years earlier.

Between 1991 and 1996, most main urban areas experienced population growth. However, almost half of the secondary urban areas either lost population or grew very slowly. While the New Zealand population increased by 7 percent between 1991 and 1996, the population of main urban areas grew by 8 percent, secondary urban areas by 3 percent and minor urban areas by almost 4 percent.

Regional Summary - 1996 Census of Population and Dwellings - Reference report, free sample table

Subnational Population Estimates - Statistical release

5.5

For data used in this graph click the Excel icon at the end of this chapter.

Fertility, the actual reproductive performance of a population, is measured by the number of live births per 1,000 women aged between 15 and 49 years.

At present the New Zealand population contains slightly more females than males. This contrasts with early colonial days when there was a large surplus of males, especially young males.

Each census saw the sex ratio draw closer to parity, with two exceptions when there was a temporary excess of females-during World Wars I and II.

In 1968 for the first time in the country's demographic history, females outnumbered males, and since then their advantage has increased steadily. The 1996 Census shows that there were 1,809,309 males and 1,872,237 females in New Zealand representing a sex ratio of 97 males per 100 females. The shift largely reflects more females among the elderly population (65 years and over) which carried a sex ratio of 76 males per 100 females in 1996. At ages below 65 years, women now outnumber men by a small margin.

Changes in the age structure of New Zealand's population largely reflect the “roller coaster” movements in the birth rate. However, migration gains/losses (dominated by younger and middle working-aged people) have added significantly to these structural changes.

The recent sharp decline in fertility, increased longevity, and the movement of the baby boom “bulge” into working ages has caused a major alignment of the age structure as well as incipient ageing. The median age of the population has risen by 7.5 years since 1971, from 25.6 years to 33.1 years in 1996.

At the 1996 Census, there were 835,830 children under the age of 15 in New Zealand (down from 909,623 in 1971). They made up just under 23 percent of the population. The working-age population has risen considerably since 1971 (by over half a million) to 2,413,190 at the 1996 Census. Despite this numerical increase, the proportion of the population in the working ages has declined slightly since the late 1980s. The greatest change in the age structure of the population is at the older ages. Since 1971 the number of people aged 65 years and over has increased by more than one-and-a-half times and the number aged 80 years and over has doubled.

New Zealand Now: 65 Plus - Publication, free sample chapter

New Zealand Now: Children - Publication, free sample chapter

New Zealand Now: Young New Zealanders - Publication, free sample chapter

New Zealand has been ethnically and culturally connected to Polynesia for at least 1,000 years. Less than 200 years ago, its population and cultural heritage was wholly Polynesian, but now New Zealand is dominated by cultural traditions that are mainly European, coming especially from Britain.

About four-fifths of New Zealanders are of European origin, predominantly from the British Isles, but also including people from the Netherlands, Yugoslavia, Germany and other nations. The indigenous Māori population makes up the next largest group of the population, about 14.5 percent in 1996. The third main ethnic group is the Pacific Islands people, who made up 5.6 percent of the population at the time of the 1996 Census.

Settlers from non-European sources have also added to the wider ethnic diversity of New Zealand.

Asian Population Projections - Statistical release

Ethnic Groups - 1996 Census of Population and Dwellings - Reference report, free sample table

The number of dwellings occupied on census night increased from 1,185,396 in 1991 to 1,283,991 in 1996, a rise of 98,595, or 8.3 percent.

6.2

For data used in this graph click the Excel icon at the end of this chapter

The average number of usual household members per private dwelling was 2.7 in both 1991 and 1996. The percentage of private dwellings with one occupant increased by 12 percent between the two censuses. While part of this increase is due to more people at the ages when living alone is most common, it also reflects lifestyle changes.

At the 1996 Census 55.6 percent of New Zealand Māori dwellings had three or fewer usual household members, whereas only 39.9 percent of Pacific Islands dwellings did. This can be partly explained by the lower average size of New Zealand Māori families and the tendency for Pacific Islands dwellings to house more than one family.

At the 1996 Census 1,073,721 households, or 88.0 percent of households, had the use of one or more motor vehicles for private transport. This was 64,635 more households than at the 1991 Census.

The New Zealand Household Economic Survey is conducted continuously by Statistics New Zealand with the results presented applying to the year 1 April to 31 March. It provides information on the expenditure patterns and income levels of private households.

In the 1997–98 year, 2,876 private households (comprising 7,796 people) participated in the survey, each household containing an average of 2.71 people. The survey included questions on household structure, income and expenditure.

Household Economic Survey - Statistical release

Household Spending - Standard tables

Household Spending on Culture - Publication

The rate of marriage is continuing to decline, meanwhile the number of people living in “de facto” relationships is increasing. At the 1996 Census 236,397 people were living in de facto relationships, an increase of 74,541, or 46.1 percent since 1991.

6.5

For data used in this graph click the Excel icon at the end of this chapter.

The average ages of those marrying rose to 33.7 years and 31.1 years for men and women respectively in 1997. This rise is a continuation of the upward trend in average age at marriage evident since the early 1970s. The increase in the average age at marriage is largely a reflection of a trend towards delayed marriage, increasing numbers of people remaining single, cohabitation before marriage and a growing number of people living in de facto unions.

The rise in the average age at marriage for both men and women has been mainly driven by the rise in age at first marriage. The average age for people marrying for the first time in 1997 was the highest since the mid-1920s for men and since figures have been collected for women.

6.8

For data used in this graph click the Excel icon at the end of this chapter.

There is only one ground on which an order dissolving a marriage can be made-that is, that the marriage has broken down irreconcilably. The Family Proceedings Act 1980 provides the legal framework for the dissolution of marriage. To establish that a marriage has broken down irreconcilably, the parties must be living apart, and have done so for the previous two years.

Since 1981, applications for dissolution of marriage have been made to Family Courts, which are less formal and have more simplified procedures than other courts.

6.9

For data used in this graph click the Excel icon at the end of this chapter.

Marriage and Divorce statistics - Statistical release

The Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body. Its primary function is to protect human rights in New Zealand in accordance with United Nations human rights covenants and conventions.

An important function of the commission is the investigation and conciliation of complaints of unlawful discrimination in public life, which includes the areas of employment, access to public places, vehicles and facilities, provision of goods and services, accommodation and education.

It is illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of sex, marital status, religious belief, ethical belief, colour, race, ethnic or national origins, disability, age, political opinion, employment status, family status or sexual orientation. If complaints are not resolved by the commission's private and non-adversarial investigation and conciliation process they can be taken to the Complaints Review Tribunal.

http://www.hrc.co.nz

The Race Relations Conciliator (who is, ex officio, a Human Rights Commissioner) has responsibility for conciliating in complaints of racial discrimination, racial harassment and excitement of racial disharmony, and for the promotion of positive race relations in New Zealand.

The office of the Race Relations Conciliator is established by the Human Rights Act 1993. The act lays down a list of prohibited grounds of discrimination which include colour, race, ethnic or national origin (which includes nationality or citizenship).

The act entitles the conciliator to inquire generally into any matter, including any enactment or law, or any practice, or any procedure, whether governmental or non-governmental, if it appears to the conciliator that race relations are, or may be, infringed.

If there appears to be a breach of the act all attempts are made to conciliate between the complainant and respondent and to reach a settlement agreed to by both parties. If that is not possible the Complaints Division which includes the conciliator considers the case. The division can attempt further conciliation or recommend outcomes such as compensation, an apology or an agreement not to repeat the action complained of. If necessary, the complaint can be referred on to the Complaints Review Tribunal which has the ability to have the Complaints Division judgement enforced. The complainant or respondent can also apply to the tribunal for any decision to be reviewed.

The Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Trust was established in 1991 by the government and the private sector. It promotes to New Zealand employers the business benefits of valuing diversity.

The trust has developed a number of resources and services for New Zealand business. In 1997 it launched the annual EEO Trust Index, a stocktake of both the context in which New Zealand organisations operate and the current level of EEO activity. The index offers insights into the emerging issues in diversity that will have an impact on New Zealand organisations in the future.

Another resource available to employers is the trust's EEO Referral Database which has over 2,500 listings of EEO resources such as books, booklets, videos, pamphlets and posters. It also contains over 200 relevant consultants, trainers and training programmes.

http://www.eeotrust.org.nz

Women comprise 51 percent of New Zealand's population. While men and women have equal status under the law, women have yet to achieve full equality with men in terms of economic and social status, freedom from discrimination and access to decision-making processes.

Publication: New Zealand Now: Women

Fewer people are identifying with the major Christian denominations, while more people are identifying with the major non-Christian religions. The latest census information shows that the number of people with no religious affiliation is also growing. Pentecostals were the only major Christian group to experience significant growth between 1991 and 1996, with their numbers increasing by 55 percent. Anglicans, however, remained by far the largest religious denomination, accounting for 18 percent of the population in 1996.

Among non-Christian religions, the numbers of Buddhists and Muslim more than doubled while the number of Hindus increased by almost half between 1991 and 1996, although each of these groups still make up less than 1 percent of the population.

The number of people who indicated that they had no religious affiliation increased markedly between 1991 and 1996, rising by 33 percent to make up over a quarter of the population in 1996.

At the 1996 Census, when asked to choose one ethnic group, three-quarters of New Zealand's population specified that they belonged only to the European ethnic group. This group not only declined as a proportion of the population between 1991 and 1996 but also fell in numbers. Over the same period the other major ethnic groups increased in size and as proportions of the population. In 1996 the New Zealand Māori population made up 15 percent of the population, with Pacific Islands people and Asian people each making up 5 percent. The highest rate of growth between 1991 and 1996 was among the Asian population which grew by 71 percent, primarily due to increased immigration.

People who were born in New Zealand made up 82.5 percent of New Zealand's resident population at the 1996 Census, a slight decrease from 1991. Between 1991 and 1996 New Zealand's overseas-born population increased by almost 78,000 people, with 72 percent of that number having been born in Asia.

People born in the United Kingdom and Ireland remain New Zealand's largest immigrant group, making up 6.7 percent of the total population in 1996. Apart from the United Kingdom, the only individual countries to provide more than 1 percent of New Zealand's population in 1996 were Australia (1.6 percent) and Western Samoa (1.2 percent).

6.13

For data used in this graph click the Excel icon at the end of this chapter.

New Zealand Now: People Born Overseas - Publication, free sample chapter

The general requirements for a grant of citizenship are that an applicant must:

The Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 provides primarily for the grant of citizenship to any person who can establish that he or she is a Western Samoan citizen or that he or she comes within the specified degrees of association with Western Samoa; and who either:

People aged 14 years and over who are approved for the grant of citizenship by the Minister of Internal Affairs are required to swear allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II, as Head of State, at a private or public ceremony to make the grant effective.

People who wish to emigrate to New Zealand are usually considered by the New Zealand Immigration Service under one of four main categories of government residence policy. They are General Skills (often called the “points system”), Business Investor, Family and Humanitarian.

As well as the four main residence categories, up to 1,100 Western Samoan citizens may be granted residence in New Zealand each year under a quota system for those with a job offer in New Zealand. There is also a special quota for up to 750 people each year to be granted residence under the Refugee Quota Programme. Refugees resettled in New Zealand under this programme are nominated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In 1999 allowance was made for up to 600 Kosovo Albanian refugees to be granted residency in addition to the quota of 750.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz

Statistics on the New Zealand Māori population from the 1996 Census are based on the concept of “ethnicity”. People are described as having New Zealand Māori ethnicity if they have given this response as any one of their ethnicities.

NB. While statistics based on ethnicity are widely used for analysing Māori population growth and distribution, it should be noted that legislation pertaining to New Zealand Māori and the concept used to measure the Māori electoral population is based on Māori ancestry.

Life expectancy at birth for the Māori ethnic group was 71.6 years for females and 67.2 years for males. Māori women can therefore expect to outlive Māori men by 4.4 years. For the non-Māori population, life expectancy at birth was 80.6 years for female and 75.3 years for males, giving females a longevity edge of 5.3 years over males. Based on the 1995–97 experience, a new-born non-Māori girl can expect to outlive her Māori counterpart by 9.0 years. For new-born boys the non-Māori advantage is 8.1 years. The 1995–97 life tables for Māori and non-Māori have been constructed using data drawn from new birth and death registration forms, and therefore are not comparable with earlier series.

Māori - 1996 Census of Population and Dwellings - Reference report, free sample table

New Zealand Now: Māori - Publication, free sample chapter

Iwi Affiliation - Statistical release

Māori-Only Ethnicity - 1996 Census of Population and Dwellings - Standard Tables

The ministry is the Crown's principal adviser on the Crown's relationship with iwi, hapu and Māori, and on key government policies as they affect Māori.

In carrying out this role, the ministry's functions are:

The ministry aims to achieve parity between Māori and non-Māori in key social and economic outcomes, as well as progress the fair and durable settlement of Treaty grievances.

http://www.tpk.govt.nz

The government is increasingly channelling communications and resources through tribal organisations to the “flax roots” of Māoridom. Runanga or trust boards play a key role in the implementation of development schemes, the development of a comprehensive Māori fisheries policy, the administration of Māori language boards and cultural wananga, and other activities.

As a result of this trend traditional institutions and networks have been revitalised and new runanga and trust boards have been established in areas where they did not previously exist. This strong tribal infrastructure is a key element in the emerging biculturalism in New Zealand, Māori economic development, and the adaptation of traditional strengths to meet contemporary needs, which are features of Māori society today.

New Zealand Māori, a Polynesian language closely related to Cook Islands Maori, Tahitian and Hawaiian, is the language of the tangata whenua of Aotearoa. There are some 10,000 native speakers of Māori and a further 152,000 people who possess varying degrees of fluency.

In August 1987, Māori was declared an official language of New Zealand. The Māori Language Act became law and the Māori Language Commission, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, came into existence.

The past decade has been one of remarkable challenge and change. Major steps have been taken to cement the Māori language as an ordinary, everyday means of communication.

The 1996 Census provides the most recent and complete data on New Zealand's Pacific Islands population. This population includes the categories of Samoan, Cook Islands Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan, and other Pacific Islands groups e.g., Hawaiian, Tahitian.

At the 1996 Census of Population and Dwellings, the Pacific Islands population was considerably younger in age structure than the total usually resident New Zealand population with 39.2 percent of Pacific Islands people under 15 years of age, compared with 23.0 percent of the total population. In contrast only 3.0 percent of Pacific Islanders were 65 years of age and over at that time, the corresponding figure for the total population being 11.7 percent.

All regional councils experienced growth in their Pacific Islands populations between the 1991 and 1996 Censuses. Auckland experienced the greatest increase (19,989) or 56.9 percent of the national increase of 35,160 between the two censuses.

Pacific Islands Profiles - Media release.

Pacific Islands People in New Zealand - Publication

Pacific Islands People - 1996 Census of Population and Dwellings - Reference report

The ministry exists to promote the development of Pacific peoples in New Zealand in a way that reflects Pacific cultural values and aspirations, so that Pacific peoples can participate and contribute fully to New Zealand's social, cultural and economic life.

The ministry contributes to this through the provision of policy advice on key issues; encouraging government agencies to take responsibility for meeting the aspirations of Pacific people; influencing and monitoring the implementation of policies; and disseminating information and consulting with Pacific people.

http://www.minpac.govt.nz

6.18

For data used in this graph click the Excel icon at the end of this chapter.

New Zealand currently has eight overseas social security agreements: with the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Greece, Ireland, Australia, the States of Jersey and Guernsey, Denmark, Canada and Italy.

The main purpose of social security agreements is to encourage free movement of labour and to ensure that when a person has lived or worked in more than one country, each of those countries takes a fair share of the responsibility for meeting the costs of that person's social security coverage.

By entering into agreements, New Zealand is better able to attract skills, specialist knowledge and technical know-how from overseas when they are not available here.

One of the roles of the Department of Social Welfare is to provide financial and other support to non-government organisations and groups providing social services in the community.

http://www.dsw.govt.nz/dsw/dswl.htm

The office has three main functions:

http://www.retirement.org.nz

New Zealand Council of Social Services: Te Kaunihera Ratonga Tauwhiro o Aotearoa The New Zealand Council of Social Services (NZCOSS) is the national association of Councils of Social Services, of which in 1997 there were 51. Each local Council of Social Services brings together a broad spectrum of voluntary sector groups. They may include employment, church, youth and service groups, schools and health and welfare organisations.

It is an advocacy organisation which makes submissions on legislation, writes consultative documents, lobbies and provides training.

The ministry provides policy advice to the government on health and disability support services. It also negotiates, manages and monitors funding agreements with the Health Funding Authority and service providers, and provides services to Ministers.

The government's goals for the health and disability sector are:

Goal 1 : to improve the health of people in New Zealand

Goal 2 : to put people at the centre of service delivery

Goal 3 : to make the best use of resources available for health and disability services.

http://www.moh.govt.nz

The Health Funding Authority is New Zealand's only national funder which funds personal health, disability support and public health services.

The three primary functions of the Health Funding Authority are:

http://www.hfa.govt.nz

New Zealand residents are entitled, at a small cost to themselves, to a wide range of medicines, approved appliances and materials which are included in the pharmaceutical schedule, and prescribed by medical practitioners, midwives or dentists.

The pharmaceutical schedule is a list of the drugs and services subsidised by the government.

PHARMAC is the Crown agency owned by the Health Funding Authority (HFA), which manages the country's pharmaceutical schedule. The schedule is the list of almost 3,000 subsidised prescription drugs and related products available in New Zealand.

http://www.pharmac.govt.nz