New Zealand in 2013

New Zealand in 2013

Area: 270,692 sq km (104,515 sq mi)
Population (2013 est.): 4,461,000
Capital: Wellington
Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae
Head of government: Prime Minister John Key

New Zealand reconfirmed its reputation as the “shaky isles” in 2013 with earthquakes and aftershocks of up to 6.6 magnitude that occurred beneath Cook Strait in July and August. The quakes caused superficial damage in Wellington and destroyed several dwellings in the small South Island community of Seddon, but there were no fatalities. Christchurch continued its NZ$40 billion (NZ$1 = U.S.$0.78) rebuilding program, which was launched after the 2010–11 earthquakes. Prime Minister John Key said that the recovery was “the largest economic undertaking in New Zealand’s history,” equivalent to almost 20% of the country’s annual GDP. In May the government committed NZ$2.1 billion to the rebuilding effort for a total of NZ$15.2 billion to date; that figure amounted to two-thirds of the moneys needed to restore key public buildings, precincts, and infrastructure. The iconic but severely damaged Anglican cathedral was replaced by a temporary 700-seat A-frame cardboard cathedral, designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban.

Economic recovery during the year meant that the government was on target to achieve a NZ$75 million budget surplus by 2014–15. Finance Minister Bill English estimated that the summer’s drought would cost the country up to NZ$2 billion. The government began a controversial program to sell up to 49% of shares in four state-owned energy-generation companies as well as 20% of its shares in Air New Zealand. A public referendum in November–December, spearheaded by the Labour and Green parties, showed that more than twice as many voters were opposed to the sale of assets as supported it, but Prime Minister Key said the government would not deviate from its program.

With an election due in 2014, the same parties also pledged a review of the extended powers being given to the Government Communications Security Bureau (an intelligence agency). Official inquiries found that the agency had spied illegally on the German Internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom—a New Zealand resident—and more than 80 citizens. The House of Representatives enacted a law that legalized same-sex marriage. Parliament approved a new regime to counter the trafficking of illegal immigrants. It also passed antidrug legislation that required purveyors of psychoactive substances to prove clinically that such products posed no more than a low risk of harm.

New Zealand withdrew the last of its forces from Afghanistan, where 3,500 defense personnel in all had served since 2001, mostly on provincial reconstruction. In a NZ$242 million deal, the government purchased eight SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopters and two spare airframes from the U.S. company Kaman Aerospace to replace the navy’s existing fleet of five machines. Prime Minister Key and his family visited England’s Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle in September. In an address to the UN General Assembly later that month, Key urged the reform of various UN bodies, including the Security Council, which he said were “hostage to their own traditions and to the interests of the most powerful” and damaging to the reputation and credibility of the UN itself. Key also announced that New Zealand would open a diplomatic post in Barbados to increase its presence in the Caribbean.

David Shearer resigned as Labour Party leader in August. He was replaced by David Cunliffe in the party’s first-ever leadership primary that involved the caucus, membership, and affiliated trade unions. Finance spokesman David Parker was elected deputy leader. The ACT New Zealand party’s sole MP, John Banks, was ordered by the High Court in Auckland on December 11 to face trial in May 2014 for alleged electoral fraud regarding substantial donations (incorrectly filed) to his unsuccessful campaign for the Auckland mayoralty in 2010. Banks announced that he would step down as ACT leader in March.

In sports Valerie Adams became the most successful shot-putter in history by winning her fourth world title. South Korean-born teenage amateur golfer Lydia Ko won the Canadian Open for the second time and announced that she would turn professional.

by: Neale McMillan