ABSTRACT
New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy, although its constitution is not codified. Elizabeth II is the Queen of New Zealand and the head of state. The Queen is represented by the Governor-General, whom is appointed on the advice of the prime minister. New Zealand has a unitary structure of government, with its subnational government primarily devolved to local government; local government does not have constitutional status. As at 2013, New Zealand had a population of approximately 4,450,000 and, as experienced in other OECD countries, New Zealand is impacted by an aging population.
