Politics, Economy and Religion

Politics

The government system of New Zealand is very much the same as the United Kingdom. The Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II, and the Prime Minister is Helen Clark. The Prime Minister holds the power, but is assisted by a Cabinet. The Cabinet is the senior policy making body, and is the responsible party to the parliament. All functions of the monarchy is handled by the governor.
There is no written constitution, but New Zealand is fully a member of the Commonwealth act. New Zealand has a mixture of both the Treaty of Waitangi and the constitutional convents("AsiaRooms.com").

Treaty of Waitangi

The Treaty of Waitangi is the agreement of peace and order that was first passed on February 6, 1840. The Maori gave the British Crown rights to the development of British Settlement. In return the Crown promises the Maori to full citizenship rights, and protection of the Maori's status and interest. The Maori were never satisfied with their rights because they were not compensated as the agreement said. The act was rewritten several times over the years, the latest being passed in 1975. This act gave the Maori more recognition and right to their land("Treaty of Waitangi").

Treaty Of Waitangi 1840
Image Found @http://www.xtimeline.com/__UserPic_Large/750/ELT200707222123158182931.JPG, July 20, 2011

Economy

The estimated Gross Domestic Product(GDP) in New Zealand is $101.685 billion. The Human Developmental Index (HDI) ranked New Zealand 20th in the world. New Zealand is dependent on trade, exporting 20% of their total agriculture. New Zealand also exports its horticulture, fishing, forestry, and wool.
New Zealand partnered with Australia in the "Closer Economic Relations" (CER), allowing free trade in most goods and services("AsiaRooms.com").

Religion

New Zealand has a very diverse religious society. Major cities in New Zealand house several different types of religious places of worship. The dominant religion of New Zealand in Christian. The native religion of the Maori is Ringatu and Ratana. Buddhist and Hindu religions are also in New Zealand (Encyclopedia of the Nations).

Works Cited

"New Zealand Economy and Politics." AsiaRooms.com. N.p., 2011. Web. 22 Jul 2011. .

"New Zealand - Religions ." Encyclopedia of the Nations, 2011. Web. 22 Jul 2011. .

"Treaty of Waitangi." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 20 July 2011. Web. .