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Government in New Zealand
Extract from the
Government website:
A parliamentary democracy
New Zealand is a modern parliamentary democracy.
Although its style of government still follows the Westminster cabinet
model, there are important distinctions. The national Government comprises
a single legislature, the House of Representatives, which is elected
every three years rather than the five-year cycle customary in the Westminster
(British) system.
In 1993, New Zealand also adopted a new electoral system based on proportional
representation. The traditional Westminster system requires that all
Members of Parliament (MPs) represent a geographical electorate and
are elected solely on the basis of the vote within that electorate.
This is known as the 'first past the post' system and means that to
be elected, an MP must obtain the highest number of votes in the electorate.
Under New Zealand's MMP system (Mixed Member Proportional), the 120
MPs are elected either as Electorate MPs or as List MPs. The electoral
process for Electorate MPs follows the Westminster system. However,
the process for electing list MPs is quite different. List MPs do not
contest a particular electorate. Future List MPs are first selected
as candidates by their political party and then appointed on the basis
of their party's proportion of the national vote.
After an election, the new Government may be formed in several ways.
If one party wins over 50% of the national vote, it can form a Majority
Government. When no single party commands a majority, the largest party
may either form a Minority Government, with support from parties outside
the Government, or form a Majority Coalition Government, with the support
of one or more other parties. The Prime Minister leads the party or
coalition which has majority support in the House of Representatives.
Cabinet is the decision-making hub of Government. It is headed by the
Prime Minister, comprises Ministers chosen from the Members of Parliament
and is supported by junior Ministers outside of Cabinet.
Queen Elizabeth II remains constitutional Head of State but plays no
active part in Government. The public responsibilities of the Crown
are carried out by a New Zealand appointed and politically neutral Governor-General."
Extract from the
Government Statistics Website:
Economic Indicators
Economic indicators provide information about the
performance of the economy based on data gathered from a range of business
and industry sectors. The following datasets are available.
The Balance of payments dataset records New Zealand's
transactions in goods, services, income and transfers with the rest
of the world.
The quarterly data also shows changes in New Zealand's
assets and liabilities.
The Capital goods price index dataset collects quarterly
price changes for capital assets bought by producers of goods and services.
The Consumers price index dataset records quarterly
price changes in goods and services bought by private households.
The Electronic card transactions dataset records
the number and value of debit (eftpos), credit and charge card transactions
with New Zealand-based merchants.
The Food price index dataset records monthly price
changes in foods bought by private households.
The Labour cost index dataset collects quarterly
price changes in wage and non-wage related labour costs.
The National accounts and GDP dataset records the
nation's financial transactions. Gross domestic product (GDP) measures
the value added from all economic activity in New Zealand. GDP is published
quarterly.
The Overseas trade indexes dataset measures quarterly
and annual changes in prices and volumes of imports and exports.
The Producers price index dataset measures quarterly
changes in prices of inputs and outputs for the production sector.
The Retail trade dataset records monthly stock and
sales data for the retail trade sector.
The Wholesale trade dataset records quarterly stock
and sales data for the wholesale trade sector.
New Zealand's official statistics agency. Please
feel free to contact our Information Centre. Phone: 0508 525 525 (toll
free within New Zealand) Fax: +64 4 931 4079 Email: info@stats.govt.nz
Extract from
business.govt.nz:
New Zealand has an internationally competitive, market-oriented
economy. There is a strong focus on international trade, with exported
good and services accounting for a third of total output.
A stable political environment, educated workforce
and the absence of corruption make New Zealand an easy place to do business.
The country underwent radical economic restructuring in the 1980s and
1990s to increase competitiveness.
Reforms included the removal of subsidies, tariffs
and price controls; the floating of the exchange rate; the abolition
of controls on capital movement; and the privatisation of many state
assets. In recent times government policy has shifted to a focus on
encouraging growth through innovation and creativity.
As one of the world's most open economies, New Zealand
is a vocal advocate of trade liberalisation. A comprehensive and successful
free trade agreement means businesses operating from New Zealand can
gain duty-free access to Australia.
Historically, New Zealand's economy was built on
the farming sector, and our primary producers are among the world's
best.
Companies like Fonterra, the world's largest exporter
of dairy products, have combined traditional strengths with modern technology
and business practices. New Zealand's currency is the New Zealand Dollar.
In the last three years it has been valued at between 45 and 60 US cents.
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Business in New Zealand