Area

274,534 sq km

Population

4.1 million (2011 estimate) -  Europeans (mostly British) 85%, Polynesian (mostly Maori) 14%

Capital

Wellington (conurbation 393,000)

Other towns

Auckland (conurbation 1.377 million) Christchurch (381,000), Dunedin (117,700)

Currency

New Zealand Dollar = 100 cents

Languages

English (official), Maori

Life expectancy

men 73, women 79

GDP

$32,145 per capita (2011 estimate)

Head of state

Queen Elizabeth II represented by Governor General

Head of government

Prime Minister (John Key)