Fast Facts About NZ

Motto: None. Formerly "Onward"

Anthem: God Defend New Zealand

Capital : Wellington - the southern most national capital in the world.

Largest City: Auckland (367,734)

Official Language (s) English, Maori

Government:  Parliamentary Democracy

Ethnic Groups: New Zealand European 74.5%, Maori 9.7%, other European 4.6%, Pacific Islander 3.8%, Asian and others 7.4%

Area: 268,680 sq km

Population:

May 2006 est. 4,137,400

2001 Census 3,737,277

Religions: None 40%, Anglican 17%, Roman Catholic 14%, Presbyterian 11% (2002)

National Holiday: Waitangi Day

Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand, 6 February 1840

 

 How much milk does New Zealand produce?

• • In the year ending June 2012 New Zealand dairy companies processed 19.1 billion litres of milk.

• How many dairy cows are there in New Zealand?

  • In 2012 there were 4.6 million cows being milked.

• How many cows do farmers milk?

  • The average herd size in New Zealand is 393 (year ending June 2012)

• Is it true that herd sizes are getting bigger?

  • Yes 25% of New Zealand herds have more than 500 cows and over 490 of these herds have more than 1,000 cows (year ending June 2012).

• How much land is used by dairy farming?

  • In 2012 there were approximately 1.6 million hectares used for dairy farming.

• How much milk does a dairy cow produce?

  • On average New Zealand dairy cows produce 4,100 litres per head per year.

• Where are the majority of New Zealand dairy farms?

  • Seventy-five percent of dairy herds are in the North Island, with 34 percent in the Waikato.

• Do all farmers own their own farms?

  • In 2012 65% of dairy farmers who invest in farm businesses were owner operators. The remaining 35% have a part share or equity partnership.

• What is New Zealand's main dairy export?

  • 42% of revenue came from whole milk powder in 2012 with the rest comprising of skim milk, butter, cheese and other dairy products.