<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: New Zealand<nl>Economy</hdr><body>
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<item><hi format=bold>Overview:</hi> Since 1984 the government has been reorienting an agrarian economy dependent on a guaranteed British market to a more industrialized, open free market economy that can compete on the global scene. The government has hoped that dynamic growth would boost real incomes, broaden and deepen the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, reduce inflationary pressures, and permit the expansion of welfare benefits. The results have been mixed: inflation is down from double-digit levels, but growth was sluggish in 1988-91. In 1992-93, growth picked up to 3% annually, a sign that the new economic approach is beginning to pay off. Business confidence has strengthened, and the inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world. Unemployment, down from 11% in 1991, remains unacceptably high at 9%.
<item><hi format=bold>National product:</hi> GDP—purchasing power equivalent—$53 billion (1993)
<item><hi format=bold>National product real growth rate:</hi> 3% (1993)
<item><hi format=bold>National product per capita:</hi> $15,700 (1993)
<item>• <hi format=ital>consumption per capita:</hi> 9,250 kWh (1992)
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<item><hi format=bold>Industries:</hi> food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining
<item><hi format=bold>Agriculture:</hi> accounts for about 9% of GDP and about 10% of the work force; livestock predominates—wool, meat, dairy products all export earners; crops—wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; surplus producer of farm products; fish catch reached a record 503,000 metric tons in 1988
<item><hi format=bold>Economic aid:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>donor:</hi> ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $526 million
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<item><hi format=bold>Currency:</hi> 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$)=100 cents