New Zealand’s performance in various global and domestic metrics reveals a mixed picture for 2025. While the nation excels in civil liberties and security, challenges persist in areas such as climate change and mental health. The report card, which assesses New Zealand across 28 key rankings, underscores the need for ongoing dialogue and collective resolutions as the year draws to a close.
Highlights of New Zealand’s Achievements
In the realm of civil liberties, New Zealand received high praise from Freedom House, achieving a near-perfect score of 99 out of 100. This places the country second equal with Norway, just behind Finland. The Global Peace Index also showed New Zealand moving up two places to third globally, indicating a robust safety and security environment, with minimal domestic and international conflict.
Transparency International’s latest survey recorded New Zealand’s position at fourth for corruption, a decline from its previous top spot in 2021, but still reflecting a relatively corruption-free environment. Gender equality remains a strong point, with the country ranked fifth in the Global Gender Gap Report, maintaining its status as the top nation in the Pacific region.
Moreover, the World Justice Project acknowledged New Zealand’s improvements, ranking it fifth in the Rule of Law Index. The Economist Global Liveability Index placed Auckland as the seventh most liveable city worldwide, showcasing the country’s overall quality of life.
Areas of Concern and Opportunities for Improvement
Despite notable achievements, several areas require attention. The Index for Economic Freedom ranked New Zealand at 11th, a drop from sixth last year, indicating a need for enhancements in property rights and financial freedoms. Happiness levels also saw a decline, with the nation slipping to 12th in the World Happiness Report.
The Global Innovation Index highlighted a slight decrease in innovation, as New Zealand fell to 26th place. Economic performance, as reported by The Economist, ranked New Zealand 31st, a modest improvement from 2024. Additionally, overseas development aid saw an increase to an estimated US$780.8 million, which represents 0.32% of gross national income, ranking the country 17th among OECD members.
On the other hand, the Global Terrorism Index showed a significant improvement, with New Zealand moving up 42 places to rank 94th, classified as having a “very low” risk of terrorism. While the national threat level remains low, this progress is a positive development for overall security.
Regrettably, challenges in employment and economic stability have surfaced. The unemployment rate rose to 5.3% in the September quarter, surpassing the OECD average. Inflation has also fluctuated, currently at 3%, lower than the expected OECD average of 4.2%.
Mental health and homelessness continue to be pressing issues. UNICEF’s ranking placed New Zealand at 32nd for youth mental health, reflecting worsening rates. The estimated number of individuals experiencing homelessness is now over 5,000, highlighting a critical area for intervention.
In summary, while New Zealand has demonstrated strengths in civil liberties, security, and quality of life, the nation faces significant challenges in areas such as climate change, mental health, and economic performance. As the year concludes, the findings prompt a call for collective action to address these pressing issues.
Alexander Gillespie, an academic not affiliated with any organization that could benefit from this report, emphasizes the importance of these rankings as a tool for discussion and future improvement.
