New Zealand Society
New Zealand is a highly developed society that is renowned for its progressive and inclusive values. The country is home to a diverse range of people from all over the world, with Māori being the indigenous Polynesian population. New Zealanders are known for their warm hospitality and egalitarian spirit which has created a strong sense of community throughout the nation.
The standard of living in New Zealand is relatively high, with citizens enjoying access to quality healthcare, education, and public services. Additionally, there are various initiatives in place to ensure that everyone has equal access to these services such as free health care for children under six years old and free tertiary education for those aged 25 or younger. Furthermore, New Zealand has some of the strongest anti-discrimination laws in the world which forbid discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and age.
In terms of politics, New Zealand is a parliamentary democracy with a unicameral system where members are elected by popular vote every three years. The country boasts an impressive record when it comes to human rights as it was one of the first nations to introduce universal suffrage in 1893 and was one of the first countries to legalize same sex marriage in 2013.
Overall, New Zealand’s society is considered by many to be one of the most advanced in terms of social progressiveness and equality. Despite this however there are still areas where improvement can be made such as reducing inequality between genders or addressing issues such as poverty or homelessness.
Demographics of New Zealand
New Zealand is a diverse nation made up of people from all over the world. According to wholevehicles.com, the population stood at 4.8 million, with around two-thirds of those living in the North Island and the remaining third in the South Island. The median age of New Zealanders is around 37 years old, and life expectancy for both men and women is approximately 82 years old.
The majority of New Zealanders are of European descent, with 71% identifying as European or Pākehā. This includes people from England, Scotland, Ireland and other parts of Europe. Additionally, 16% identify as Māori which is the indigenous Polynesian population in New Zealand. Other ethnicities include Asian (12%), Pacific Peoples (7%), Middle Eastern/Latin American/African (2%) and Other (1%).
In terms of religion, Christianity remains the dominant faith with 48% identifying as Christian while 28% claim no religious affiliation at all. Other religions practiced in New Zealand include Hinduism (3%), Buddhism (2%), Islam (2%) and Judaism (0.4%).
New Zealand has a highly developed economy which has allowed it to become one of the most prosperous nations in the world with a per capita GDP of $47,186 USD as of 2019. The unemployment rate stands at 4%, while median household income is around $67,000 USD per year.
Overall, New Zealand’s demographics are quite diverse with citizens coming from all over the world to call it home. This diversity has allowed for a unique culture to form that celebrates various cultures and religions while striving for equality for all citizens regardless of race or gender.
Poverty in New Zealand
Poverty is an ongoing issue in New Zealand and one that has a significant impact on the lives of many people. According to Statistics New Zealand, 11% of the population – or 571,000 people – were living in poverty in 2018. This figure has remained relatively consistent since 2012, with only a small decrease in the number of people living below the poverty line over that period.
The main cause of poverty in New Zealand is low incomes. In 2018, around 29% of households had an income below 60% of the median household income, which is considered to be a threshold for relative poverty. This means that these households were unable to meet their basic needs such as food, housing and other necessities. The majority of those below this threshold were either unemployed or working part-time or casual jobs with low wages.
Another major factor contributing to poverty in New Zealand is inequality between different ethnic groups. Māori and Pacific Peoples are disproportionately represented among those living in poverty; according to Statistics New Zealand, 28% and 24% respectively lived below the relative poverty line compared to 8% for Europeans and Other ethnicities. This inequality can be attributed to factors such as lower educational achievements among Māori and Pacific peoples which leads them into lower-paying jobs as well as higher rates of unemployment among these groups compared to other ethnicities.
Finally, skyrocketing housing costs have also contributed to increased levels of poverty in New Zealand over recent years. Housing affordability has decreased significantly since 2017, with house prices increasing by 15%. This has made it increasingly difficult for low-income families to access adequate housing which further exacerbates their financial struggles and increases their risk of entering into a cycle of poverty from which it can be difficult or impossible to escape from without external support or intervention.
Overall, while progress has been made towards reducing levels of poverty in New Zealand over recent years there is still much work that needs to be done if we want all citizens regardless of race or income level to have access to basic needs such as food and shelter.
Labor Market in New Zealand
According to Countryvv, the labor market in New Zealand is a complex and ever-changing environment, with many factors influencing the availability of jobs, wages, and overall economic growth. In recent years, the economy has seen strong growth and low unemployment, with an estimated 4.5% unemployment rate in 2020. This is well below the OECD average of 6.2%.
The labor force in New Zealand consists primarily of full-time employees who work an average of 35 hours per week. Part-time employees are also common and account for around 20% of the workforce. The majority of job opportunities are found in the service sector which makes up around two thirds of all employment in New Zealand. This includes roles such as retail workers, hospitality staff, healthcare professionals, IT workers and more.
As far as wages go, New Zealand has a minimum wage that applies to all employees regardless of age or experience level. Currently this stands at $17.70 per hour as of April 2021 and is due to increase to $18 per hour on 1 April 2022. However, it is important to note that certain sectors such as hospitality tend to pay lower than the minimum wage due to tips from customers or other allowances from employers.
In terms of job security, New Zealand has strict regulations regarding employee rights including protection against unfair dismissal and redundancy payments for those who lose their job through no fault of their own or because their employer is restructuring or downsizing its operations. Employers must also provide adequate rest periods for their staff members as well as allow them time off for holidays and other personal commitments such as caring for family members or attending medical appointments.
Overall, the labor market in New Zealand appears healthy with low unemployment levels and good wages on offer for those seeking employment opportunities within the country’s vibrant economy. The government provides strong protection for workers against unfair dismissal or redundancy while employers are expected to provide fair working conditions including adequate rest periods and time off when necessary which helps ensure that employees have a good quality standard of living when working in New Zealand.
