GENERAL INFORMATION:

New Zealand is an island nation in the South-West Pacific Ocean. It is comprised of two main islands that are separated by a narrow strait, the South Island and the North Island. The total land area of New Zealand is over 268,000 sq.kms. The physical characteristics of New Zealand are quite varied from lowland coastal areas to mountains. The backbone of North and South Island is a chain of mountain ranges.

The official language is English. Major religion is Christianity and literacy is 100%. Land under cultivation is 176 thousand sq.kms and land under forests is 40 thousand sq.kms. Main crops are wheat, barley, root crops, clover and lucerne and major minerals are coal, natural gas, crude petroleum, gold, iron, sands and limestone. Major harbors are Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin and Bluff.

ECONOMY:

New Zealand is one of the leading agricultural countries of the world. Over nine-tenth of export earnings come from the sale of pastoral farm products. Meat Wool, and dairy products are New Zealand's principal exports. The country is the world's largest commercial exporter of meat and diary products and second biggest exporter of wool. The extensive forests supply raw materials for a staidly expanding industry producing sawn timber, plywood, wood pulp and variety of pulp products, chiefly paper, newsprint, cardboards, and building board. In recent years increased diversification in manufacture, together with an expansion programme aimed at widening New Zealand's industrial base, has helped to make manufacturing the fastest growing sector of the economy. Significant advances have been made in light engineering, especially in the field of electrical goods. Other industries showing growth include the manufacture of agricultural and metal-working machinery, industrial heating appliances, textile and leather goods, plastics, paints and rubber goods.

IMPORTING ENVIRONMENT:

With the phasing out of import licensing system, approval of imports is generally no longer required. However approval or specific permits are required for certain items for reasons such as quarantine and public safety and these items include ozone depleting substances and related technology, any plant product for feeding livestock, seeds used for agricultural purposes, coconut meal and copra cake, cottonseed meal, crushed linseed meal, soyabean cakes, and proceed or unprocessed grain for feeding stock.

There are no tariff quota controls imposed by Government. However, as part of plant and animal quarantine and in the public interest, Government imposes some import prohibitions for reasons of public health and safety. Some prohibitions are absolute, but a number of them are conditional In cases where prohibition are absolute, applications can be made to the appropriate ministry for special permission to import.

The following organizations can offer advice on Commercial information:

High Commission of INDIA
180, Moesworth Street, P.O.Box 4045, Wellington, New Zealand.
TEL: 00-64-4-4736390 to 391
Fax :00-64-4-4990665
E-mail : hicomind@clear.net.nz