Oceania
Living in New Zealand
Photo: Hooker Valley and Aoraki / Mount Cook · Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0 · source
Two main islands of mountains, lakes and coast with a mild climate, small cities and an outdoor lifestyle. Editorial
The numbers
Main city climate11° to 20°CColdest and warmest month averages, Auckland · 2020
Average temperature15.7°CAuckland (whole country 10.5°C) · 2020
Price level89%Of US prices for everyday goods and services · 2025
Average spending$2,568Per person per month (international $, PPP) · 2024
Income per person$57,400GDP per person a year (international $, PPP) · 2025
Unemployment5.1%Of the labour force · 2025
Homicides1.5Per 100,000 people a year · 2022
Life expectancy82.0 yearsAt birth · 2024
Clean air7 µg/m³Average fine-particle pollution (WHO guideline: 5) · 2023
Forest39%Of the land area · 2024
City dwellers84%Of people live in cities and towns · 2025
Tax revenue29.5%Of GDP · 2024
Language and getting around Editorial
- Languages: English, Māori. English is an official language.
- Public transport: Limited: daily life mostly needs a car or taxis.
- Geography: Has a coastline, with mountain areas. Capital: Wellington.
Moving to New Zealand
Visa and residence rules depend on your nationality, job, studies and family, and they change often. Start with the government's own website: www.immigration.govt.nz.
- New Zealand student visa guide
- New Zealand tourist / visit visa guide
- New Zealand work visa guide
- Study in New Zealand
- Scholarships in New Zealand
Sources
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP per person (PPP) | 57,350.36 international $ | 2025 | World Bank WDI |
| Unemployment | 5.08 % of labour force | 2025 | World Bank WDI (ILO estimate) |
| Intentional homicides | 1.46 per 100,000 people | 2022 | World Bank WDI (UNODC) |
| Political stability and absence of violence | 1.18 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Government effectiveness (public services) | 1.87 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Life expectancy at birth | 82.01 years | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Health spending per person | 5,022.03 US$ per person | 2024 | World Bank WDI (WHO) |
| Tax revenue | 29.52 % of GDP | 2024 | World Bank WDI (IMF) |
| People living in cities and towns | 84 % of population | 2025 | World Bank WDI (UN) |
| Forest area | 38.87 % of land | 2024 | World Bank WDI (FAO) |
| Fine-particle air pollution (PM2.5) | 6.88 µg/m³, annual mean | 2023 | World Bank WDI |
| Price level of household goods and services | 0.89 ratio, United States = 1 | 2025 | Calculated: PPP conversion factor (private consumption) / official exchange rate, World Bank WDI |
| Average household spending per person | 2,567.8 international $ per person per month | 2024 | Calculated: household consumption (PPP) / population / 12, World Bank WDI |
| Average temperature, whole country 1991-2020 | 10.5 °C | 2020 | World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CRU TS 4.08, 1991-2020) |
| Average temperature, main city | 15.7 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Coldest month average, main city | 11.4 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Warmest month average, main city | 20.4 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Rainfall, main city | 1,015 mm per year | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
Data checked 2 November 2026. National averages hide differences between cities and regions. Climate figures for Auckland are 2001–2020 averages.
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