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About New Zealand
New Zealand, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, comprises two large islands (the North Island and the South Island) and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. In Maori, the language of the indigenous people of the country, New Zealand is known as Aotearoa (translated in English as "Land of the Long White Cloud"). New Zealand is notable for its geographic isolation – its closest neighbour is New Caledonia, 1,500 km to the northeast.
The Realm of New Zealand also includes the Cook Islands and Niue, which are self-governing, but in free association; Tokelau; and the Ross Dependency (New Zealand’s territorial claim in Antarctica).
Elizabeth II, as the Queen of New Zealand, is the Head of State and is represented, in her absence, by a non-partisan Governor-General; the Queen "reigns but does not rule", so she has no real political influence. Political power is held by the democratically-elected Parliament of New Zealand under the leadership of the Prime Minister who is the Head of Government.
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and is the country’s second largest urban area. Auckland is the largest urban area with over a quarter of the country’s population which totals just over four million. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world.
The population of New Zealand is mostly of European descent, with the indigenous Maori being the largest minority. Non-Maori Polynesian and Asian people are also significant minorities, especially in the cities.
The spectacularly beautiful and diverse landscape of New Zealand includes vast mountain chains, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines, deeply indented fiords and lush rainforests. It has a temperate climate with relatively small seasonal variation.
New Zealand has a vibrant culture with European, Maori, Pacific and Asian influences. It is a culture that celebrates the many different lifestyles the people live, and the stories they have to tell. The culture of its Maori people affects the language, the arts, and even the accents of all New Zealanders. Their place in the South Pacific and their love of the outdoors, sport, and the arts make New Zealanders and their culture unique in the world.
With over a thousand years of human settlement, New Zealand has a colourful and dramatic history, dominated by the relationship between Maori and Pakeha (a term generally used to describe New Zealanders of Anglo/European extraction). Polynesian settlers arrived in their waka some time between the 11th and 13th centuries to establish the indigenous Maori culture. The first Europeans known to have reached New Zealand were led by Abel Tasman, who sailed up the west coasts of the South and North Islands in 1642. Captain James Cook began extensive surveys of the islands in 1769, leading to European whaling expeditions and eventually significant European colonisation.
Further information at www.tourismnewzealand.com
