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| Capital city: |
Wellington |
| Surface area: |
271,000 sq km |
| Population: |
4.3 million |
| Official language(s): |
English |
| Head of State: |
H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General HE The Hon Sir Anand Satyanand |
| Head of Government: |
Prime Minister Hon John Key |
| Australian exports to New Zealand: |
A$8,546 million |
| Australian imports from New Zealand: |
A$7,050 million |
| New Zealand's principal export destinations: |
Australia, USA, Japan |
| New Zealand's principal import sources: |
Australia, China, USA |
(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet)
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New Zealand is an independent state within the Commonwealth, with a parliamentary democracy political system. Unlike Australia, there is no upper house. There are two main parties, the Labour Party and the National Party and a number of smaller parties. Voting is on a proportional representation system. The present government is a coalition of National, ACT and the Maori Party.
New Zealand enjoys very close ties with Australia both politically and economically. It has a modern welfare system, and is politically and economically stable.
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Trade relations and statistics
New Zealand has free trade agreements with Australia, Canada and Singapore and is negotiating with Hong Kong, Chile and Thailand.
Preferential duties are offered to Pacific nations (under SPARTECA), to less developed countries such as Romania and Philippines and least developed countries (in the third world) such as Zambia and Rwanda.
Please see the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade country economic fact sheet for key trade statistics.
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