By 1890, parliamentary government along democratic lines was well established, and from then on, New Zealand's social institutions began to assume their present form. The turn of the century saw sweeping social reforms that built the foundation for New Zealand's version of the welfare state, which came to include a large measure of government participation in economic affairs. It achieved full internal and external autonomy by the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act in 1947, although this merely formalised a situation that had existed for many years. Major international airlines serve the International Airport at Auckland, and flights are scheduled almost daily between Australia and Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch. Air, bus, and rail connections between cities are good, and public transportation within cities is ample.
Rental cars are available.