NEW ZEALAND

NEW ZEALAND (PART II)

The economy of New Zealand has long depended on farming and foreign trade. The sale of butter, cheese, meat, and wool to other countries provides much of the nation's income. But manufacturing has been increasing rapidly, and about twice as many New Zealanders work in factories as on farms. Tourism has also become an important source of income.

New Zealand's greatest natural resource is its land. About 55 per cent of the land consists of cropland and pastureland. The country has few mineral resources. The most important include coal, gold, iron ore, limestone, and natural gas. Water power provides about 75 per cent of the nation's electricity.

New Zealand produces enough meat and dairy products to feed its own people as well as millions of people in other countries. The high farm production results from the country's mild climate the year around and the use of modern machinery and scientific farming methods.

New Zealand has about 71 million sheep and about 74 million cattle. Sheep are raised both for meat and for wool. The country's chief crops include barley, potatoes, and wheat. New Zealand is the world's largest producer of kiwi fruit. Farmers also raise apples, grapes, onions, peas, and pears. Citrus fruits, avocados, and many other subtropical fruits are also grown in the country.

Processed foods are New Zealand's most valuable manufactured goods. Milk is made into butter, cheese, and dried milk. Factories freeze lamb and beef for export, and process wool and weave woolen carpets.

Other manufactured items include aluminum, chemicals, iron and steel, machinery, metal products, motor vehicles, paper, textiles, and wood products. Auckland is the country's largest manufacturing center.

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