New Zealand - Government
Based on the etymolgy of New Zealand, it was Dutch explorer Abel TASMAN was the first European to reach New Zealand in 1642; he named it Staten Landt, but Dutch cartographers renamed it Nova Zeelandia in 1645 after the Dutch province of Zeeland; British explorer Captain James COOK subsequently anglicized the name to New Zealand when he mapped the islands in 1769. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 16 regions and 1 territory*; Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Chatham Islands*, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wellington, West Coast
National symbols

Southern Cross constellation (four, five-pointed stars), kiwi (bird), silver fern; national colors: black, white, red (ochre).

The flag
The National flag of New Zealand has blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation.
The National Anthem
Title "God Defend New Zealand"
Lyric/music Thomas BRACKEN [English], Thomas Henry SMITH [Maori]/John Joseph WOODS
More about the government of New Zealand
Date of Independence 26 September 1907 (from the UK)
National holiday Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840); Anzac Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915)
Legal system common law system, based on English model, with special legislation and land courts for the Maori
International law organization participation accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitution
History New Zealand has no single constitution document; the Constitution Act 1986, effective 1 January 1987, includes only part of the uncodified constitution; others include a collection of statutes or "acts of Parliament," the Treaty of Waitangi, Orders in Council, letters patent, court decisions, and unwritten conventions
Amendments Proposed as bill by Parliament or by referendum called either by the government or by citizens; passage of a bill as an act normally requires two separate readings with committee reviews in between to make changes and corrections, a third reading approved by the House of Representatives membership or by the majority of votes in a referendum, and assent of the governor-general; passage of amendments to reserved constitutional provisions affecting the term of Parliament, electoral districts, and voting restrictions requires approval by 75% of the House membership or the majority of votes in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2020
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth no
Citizenship by descent only at least one parent must be a citizen of New Zealand
Dual citizenship recognized yes
Residency requirement for naturalization 3 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Dame Cindy KIRO (since 21 October 2021)
Head of government Prime Minister Christopher LUXON (since 27 November 2023)
Cabinet Executive Council appointed by the governor-general on the recommendation of the prime minister
Elections/appointments the monarchy is hereditary; governor-general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor-general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor-general
Legislative branch
Description Unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (121 seats for 2023-26 term); 72 members directly elected in 65 single-seat constituencies and 7 Maori constituencies by simple majority vote and 49 directly elected by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 3-year terms)
Elections Last held on 14 October 2023 (next scheduled for October 2026)
Election results Percent of vote by party - National Party 38.1%, Labor Party 26.9%, Green Party 11.6%, ACT Party 8.6%, New Zealand First 6.1%; Maori Party 3.1%; seats by party - National Party 48, Labor Party 34, Green Party 15, ACT Party 11, New Zealand First 8, Maori Party 6; composition - 67 men, 56 women; percentage of women 45.5%
Judicial branch
Highest court(s) Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices, including the chief justice); note - the Supreme Court in 2004 replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) as the final appeals court
Judge selection and term of office Justices appointed by the governor-general upon the recommendation of the attorney- general; justices appointed until compulsory retirement at age 70
Subordinate courts Court of Appeal; High Court; tribunals and authorities; district courts; specialized courts for issues related to employment, environment, family, Maori lands, youth, military; tribunals
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission Ambassador Rosemary BANKS (since 17 June 2024)
Chancery 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone [1] (202) 328-4800
FAX [1] (202) 667-5277
Email address and website
[email protected]

https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/americas/united-states-of-america/
Consulate(s) general Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission Ambassador Thomas Stewart UDALL (since 1 December 2021); note - also accredited to Samoa
Embassy 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington 6011
Mailing address 4370 Auckland Place, Washington DC  20521-4370
Telephone [64] (4) 462-6000
FAX [64] (4) 499-0490
Email address and website
[email protected]

https://nz.usembassy.gov/
Consulate(s) general Auckland
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites 3 (2 natural, 1 mixed)
Selected World Heritage Site locales Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand (n); Tongariro National Park (m); New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands (n)
Key Political parties and their leaders in New Zealand
    • International organization participation
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    • All Important Facts about New Zealand

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    New Zealand is found in Australia and New Zealand