New Zealand in 2014

New Zealand in 2014

Area: 270,692 sq km (104,515 sq mi)
Population (2014 est.): 4,474,424
Capital: Wellington
Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae
Head of government: Prime Minister John Key

In 2014 New Zealand became one of the first developed countries to return to normal economic performance following the 2008 global financial crisis. Prior to the September 20 elections, Prime Minister John Key’s administration projected a modest $NZ 297 million ($NZ = about U.S.$0.84) budget surplus for 2014–15. New Zealand rated fifth highest in the OECD, with 3.1% economic growth in 2013, and was ranked seventh of 187 countries in the UN Development Programme’s human development index for life expectancy, access to education, and per capita gross national income.

The government’s budget, presented in May, projected a record $28 billion in spending on education and health, including the provision of free doctors’ visits and medications for children up to age 13. The budget also anticipated the government’s contribution of $15.4 billion toward the rebuilding of Christchurch following that city’s 2010–11 earthquakes.

After 10 years’ lobbying New Zealand secured a seat on the UN Security Council for a two-year term beginning in 2015. The country signed a free-trade agreement with the Republic of Korea in mid-November. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping each visited in November. New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel were deployed on military operations and UN missions in 10 countries around the world. In November Key outlined New Zealand’s possible contributions to the international coalition against ISIL/ISIS. (See Special Report.) He ruled out sending forces into combat, however, but extended the deployment of a maritime surveillance aircraft through the end of 2015. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) signed contracts with U.S. Beechcraft Corp. for 11 military training aircraft. The “father of the air force,” Air Marshal Sir Richard Bolt, died at age 91. He joined the RNZAF in 1942, served with the Royal Air Force Bomber Command during World War II, and was chief of New Zealand’s Defence Staff from 1976 to 1980.

In New Zealand’s biggest corporate fraud case to date, lawyer Edward Sullivan, former director of South Canterbury Finance, was convicted in October on five counts, including having made false statements and having misused a document for pecuniary advantage. Sitting MP and former Auckland mayor John Banks was found guilty in Auckland High Court of having filed a false statement of electoral expenses.

Three weeks before the general election, Justice Minister Judith Collins resigned amid a scandal regarding her connection to a conservative blogger who had attempted to undermine the Serious Fraud Office. Prime Minister Key announced that there would be a postelection inquiry into her conduct. The election campaign was conspicuous for allegations of dirty politics and claims by U.S. journalist Glenn Greenwald and CIA whistle-blower Edward Snowden that New Zealanders had been put under mass surveillance. German Internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom—wanted by U.S. authorities on copyright-infringement charges and previously spied upon illegally by a New Zealand intelligence agency—sponsored the formation of the Internet Party in March. It contested the election in conjunction with the populist Mana Movement as Internet MANA, but the joint party did not win any seats.

Key’s New Zealand National Party won 60 seats under the mixed member proportional electoral system, and Key was returned for a third term. His party gained a narrow majority in the 121-member House of Representatives by negotiating deals with the Maori Party (2 seats) and ACT New Zealand and United Future (1 each). The New Zealand Labour Party had its worst election result in 92 years, winning only 32 seats; party leader David Cunliffe subsequently quit his post and was succeeded by former trade-union official Andrew Little. The Green Party gained 14 seats and New Zealand First 11.

Natural disasters during the year included a tornado in the Westland region of the South Island and flooding in the Northland region of the North Island. Speleologists discovered the deepest cave system in the Southern Hemisphere in Kahurangi National Park near Nelson, connecting with two existing caves to create a system 36 km (22 mi) long and 1,200 m (3,900 ft) deep.

At the Commonwealth Games, held in Glasgow, Scot., New Zealand competitors achieved sixth place overall, winning 14 gold, 14 silver, and 17 bronze medals—including 15 in cycling and 5 each in athletics and judo. Gold medalist Valerie Adams (shot put) had remained unbeaten internationally since August 2010 and was named the IAAF Woman Athlete of the Year in November.

by: Neale McMillan