New Zealand is among the top ten nations in the world when it comes to gender equality, according to a new global report.
New Zealand was ranked ninth in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap report for 2017.
The report measures nations on their progress for women in terms of the gender pay gap, political empowerment, health and survival, and educational attainment.
New Zealand has closed 79 percent of its overall gender pay gap, putting it at ninth place.
The country has raised four places within a year to be ranked 12th for political empowerment, due to an increase in gender parity in ministerial positions and politicians.
The educational attainment gender gap in New Zealand has widened for the first time since 2008, with New Zealand ranked at 43.
When it comes to health and survival, which measures the sex ratio at birth and the gap between men and women's healthy life expectancy, the country is ranked at 115.
The report found that if the current trend continues, it would take 100 years to close the global gender gap, while the gap in political representation would take 99 years.
Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter says the report is a sign that faster action is needed on achieving pay equality, both in New Zealand and globally.
New Zealand hadn't moved from its position of ninth place in the gender pay gap ranking.
"New Zealand can and should be a world leader in ending women being paid less," she says.
Ms Genter wants New Zealand organisations to be "proactive" about closing their gender pay gap.
"The World Economic Forum states that the parity gap across health, education, politics and the workplace on a global scale is widening. Politicians, businesses, community leaders, and families have to consciously take action to end this unfairness."
The top 15 countries on the Global Gender Gap report:
1 Iceland
2 Norway
3 Finland
4 Rwanda
5 Sweden
6 Nicaragua
7 Slovenia
8 Ireland
9 New Zealand
10 Philippines
11 France
12 Germany
13 Namibia
14 Denmark
15 United Kingdom
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