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New Zealand is a country in southwestern Pacific Ocean is separated from Australia by the Tasman Sea. Economy
New Zealand is a modern and a prosperous country that has an estimated GDP of $101.685 billion. The developed economy of New Zealand has a high standard of living with GDP per capita estimated at $26,400 while Australian figures are $31,900.
The GDP of the country has been estimated at $26,400. The Human Development Index has ranked the country 20th in the world and it is 15th as rated by the Economist's 2005.
New Zealand is heavily dependant on trade. Of the total agricultural produce New Zealand exports almost 20% of the whole. The principal exports include agriculture, horticulture, fishing and forestry.
The country in its initial days experienced a high standard of living but when United Kingdom joined the European Community in 1973 the country saw a major crisis. Since 1984 there were major reforms introduced restructuring the entire economy. A sort of liberalized free economy became the order of the day.
The tertiary sector is the largest sector in the country that is followed by the secondary sector. The primary sector comes at last contributing only 4.7%.
The current economic objectives pursued b y the government is building a 'knowledge economy'. Politics
New Zealand enjoys a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy that closely resembles the pattern of the Westminster system. Though the head of the estate is Queen Elizabeth II, the actual power rests with the Prime minister who is assisted by a Cabinet that is drawn from an elected parliament. In practice the all the official business in run in the name of the queen. All the functions of the monarchy are carried out by the Governor - General who is appointed by the monarch as advised by the Prime Minister.
As there is no written constitution which is based on a mixture of various documents, the Treaty of Waitangi and constitutional conventions.
The cabinet is the senior policy making body and is responsible to the parliament. The Governor General has been bestowed with the power to appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister. He can also dissolve the parliament. New Zealand enjoys a unicameral legislature known as the House of Representatives. it is the system of mixed member proportional voting system that is prevalent in the country. The highest court on New Zealand is the Supreme Court of New Zealand. The High Courts deal with the civil and the criminal matters. There are also Appellate Courts.
The current Prime Minister is Helen Clark who is the leader of the Labour party and the leader of the opposition is National a party leader John Key.
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