Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter summary
New Zealand is a Pacific island nation of 4.49 million people,
predominantly of New Zealand European ethnicity (68%), with significant
Māori (15%), Pacific island (7%) and Asian (9%) populations. About 20% of
the population is aged 0–14 years, while the proportion of the population
aged over 65 years (13%) is growing slowly.
New Zealand is heavily reliant on foreign trade and, in common with the
rest of the world, has been experiencing a period of economic downturn
since 2008. In addition, the economy has been affected by two major
earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 centred around the country’s second
largest city, Christchurch.
New Zealand is a democracy with a parliament elected every three years
under a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) representation system. The
National Party (centre-right) leads the current coalition government.
Local government consists of a large number of regional and local
territorial authorities.
New Zealanders generally enjoy a high health status by international
comparisons. Current life expectancy is about 82 years for women and 78
years for men (2009 data). The primary causes of morbidity and mortality
are noncommunicable diseases. Māori and Pacific island peoples’ health
status is lower overall than that of New Zealanders of European ethnicity.