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NEW ZEALAND > FACTS ABOUT THE COUNTRY
HISTORY:
Archaeological remains indicate that long time ago - perhaps around 1,000 years earlier than the Europeans arrival, the islands of New Zealand were inhabited by fishing and hunting people of East Polynesian ancestry. According to the Maori record, the later waves of Polynesians arrived between 952 and 1150. Some of the Maoris called their new homeland "Aotearoa," usually translated as "land of the long white cloud."
In 1642, the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman briefly cruised along the west coast of New Zealand, while English Captain James Cook thoroughly sailed along the shore during three South Pacific voyages beginning in 1769. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, whaling, seal hunting, and lumbering attracted a few European settlers to New Zealand. British and colonial forces eventually overcame determined Maori resistance. During this period, many Maori died from disease and warfare, much of it inter-tribal. In 1840 the United Kingdom established British colonization through the Treaty of Waitangi signed on the same year with Maori chiefs.
Constitutional government arose in the 1850s, while in 1867, Maori won the right to a convinced number of reserved seats in parliament. A royal proclamation in 1907 proclaimed New Zealand as a dominion. Then, by the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act in 1947, the country then achieved full internal and external autonomy.
GEOGRAPHY:
New Zealand stretches squarely in the 'roaring forties' latitude, in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia. The country comprises two main islands of North and South, as well as some smaller islands, such as Stewart Island off South Island, the Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands. Wellington is both the capital city and a major port. Dependencies of New Zealand are the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau and the Ross Dependency in Antarctica. New Zealand is mountainous throughout the North and South Islands. The Southern Alps dominate South Island and North Island is hilly with coastal plains and volcanic mountains.
CLIMATE:
Lying between 34S and 47S, New Zealand sits squarely in the 'roaring forties' latitude, which means a prevailing and continual wind blows over the country from west to east; this can range from a gentle breeze in summer to a buffeting, roof-stripping gale in winter. The climate is temperate with regional variations (sub-tropical in the north to sub-arctic in the higher elevations of South Island). The North Island and South Island, because of their different geological features, have two distinct patterns of rainfall: in the South Island, the Southern Alps act as a barrier for the moisture-laden winds from the Tasman Sea, creating a wet climate to the west of the mountains and a dry climate to the east; while the North Island's rainfall is more evenly distributed without a comparable geological feature such as the Alps. Temperatures are a few degrees cooler in the South Island, and both islands receive snow in winter. Winter falls in the months of June through August and summer from December through February. It is important to remember that New Zealand's climate is maritime, rather than continental, which means the weather can change with amazing rapidity and consequence. The busy tourist season falls in the warmer months between November and April, though ski resorts, such as Queenstown, are full during winter.
PEOPLE:
New Zealand's population is around 3,908,037 (estimated 2002). Three-quarters of the people are of European origin, with pre-dominant inhabitants are of British origin. Around 15% declare origin from the native Maori residents, which is of Polynesian origin. Almost 75% of the people, including the pre-dominant residents of Maori, inhabit the North Island, while about 167,000 Pacific Islanders also live in New Zealand. During the late 1870s, natural increase permanently replaced immigration. This was the main contributor to population growth, whereas it has accounted that 75% of population growth in the 20th century. Around 85% of New Zealanders occupy the urban areas where the service and manufacturing industries are growing rapidly. New Zealanders colloquially refer to themselves as "Kiwis," after the country' native bird.
LANGUAGE:
New Zealand observes English and Maori as the two official languages. English is more widely spoken. Thanks to the revival of Maoritanga, which has brought a mellifluous, poetic language of Maori. It is unexpectedly easy to pronounce if spoken phonetically and each word split into separate syllables.
CULTURE:
The Pakeha and the Maori are the pre-dominant cultural groups in New Zealand. The unique blend of these tribes has given rise to a fresh Pacific personality that exhales vibrancy. New Zealand art is diverse, valuing innovation, integrity and craftsmanship. The carvings of wood, stone, shell and bone carvings are readily available while larger works such as the wood paneling tukutuku can be seen in most local meeting houses, called maraes. Paua shell, greenstone, greywacke and greenwacke pebbles are often shaped into jewellery. The landscape brings much inspiration to the fashion, like necklaces in frangipani-flower shapes, earrings designed like the leaves of a gingko tree, and sunglasses modeled on native fern tendrils. Meanwhile, a common thread that unites the whole inhabitants is its love of sport and outdoor pursuits such as sailing, swimming, cycling, hiking and camping. Once you visit New Zealand, you will realize how people crazy about the national game of rugby union.
RELIGION:
Sixty-seven per cent of the population is Christian; fifteen per cent of these are Roman Catholic. The secular aside, Christianity is the most common religion, with Anglicanism, Presbyterianism and Catholicism the largest denominations. An interesting religious variation is the synthesis of the Maori Ratana and Ringatu faiths with Christianity.
ARCHITECTURE:
The Maori people of New Zealand pay a great respect to art. Their meeting houses usually adorned with intricately carved designs which can still be witnessed up till now. The European and American architectural styles were introduced by the later migrants. Dunedin city hosts a number of Victorian and Edwardian buildings, while the rebuilt Napier owns a wealth of 1930-s-style buildings, comprising some outstanding Art Deco. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust (Pouhere Taonga) maintains a catalog of historic places and encourages owners to preserve them.
ENVIRONMENT:
New Zealand stretches 1600 km from north to south, comprising two large islands and several smaller islands - some clasping its coasts, others hundreds of km away. The two major islands are the North Island (115,000 sq km) and the South Island (151,000 sq km). The next largest island is the Stewart (1700 sq km) which reclines straight below the South Island. The highly active thermal zones and several large volcanoes can be found in the North Island, including the currently active Mount Ruapehu, while the South Island hosts the Southern Alps - a spine of splendid mountains in a row roughly its whole extent. Another remarkable characteristic of New Zealand is its numerous rivers and lakes: notably the Whanganui River, Lake Taupo and the breathtaking lakes Waikaremoana and Wanaka.
FLORA AND FAUNA:
Around 10 to 15 % of the country is covered with native flora which are commonly endemic and its extent is enormous. The rainforest is dominated by rimu, beech, tawa, matai and rata, while other vegetations are the giant gum-producing kauri, kohekohe forest, scrub and tussock, alpine and subalpine herb fields, ferns and flax. One country's famous plant is the pohutukawa, which known as the New Zealand Christmas tree. It detonates with sparkling red flowers around December. On contrary, New Zealand's native fauna is limited. The only indigenous mammals are bats, while the bird life has thrived. Common species are mainly the tui, weak, morepork, and the kea. There are also a clamant and the naughty bird that enjoys swaying up to humans, overturn garbage baskets and tumble down ridged roofs at night. Introduced species - pigs, goats, possums, dogs, cats, deer and the ubiquitous sheep - are found throughout New Zealand, but their abundance in their natural habitat has had a harmful consequence on the environment. Around 10% of the total number of native species - and many native birds are currently endangered with extinction. For years New Zealand's marine mammal - dolphins, seals and whales - have been attracted the nature-lovers from around the world. The country's offshore waters hold a variety of fish, including tuna, marlin, snapper, trevally, kahawai and shark. Conservation is a priority for New Zealand's Ministry for the Environment which overseas thirteen National Parks. Environmental issues include deforestation, soil erosion and problems caused by the introduction of species from outside the island (deer, pigs, goats and rabbits).
ECONOMY:
New Zealand's economy has been supported on a basis of exports from its well-organized agricultural system. Foremost agricultural exports take account of dairy products, fish, and wool, forest products, meat, fruit and vegetables. Economic growth has remained relatively robust in recent years (i.e., around 3%), benefiting from an advance in exports provided by a weak Kiwi dollar, good weather, and favorable international commodity prices. Moreover, the country has significant hydroelectric power and capital of natural gas. Primary industrialized sectors are metal and wood manufacture, food processing, and paper products. Strong economic relations with Australia have supported New Zealand's economy, in which the countries are partners in "Closer Economic Relations" (CER), allowing free trade in goods and most services. New Zealand welcomes and encourages foreign investment without discrimination. However, restrictions and approval requirements are charged to certain investments in land and in the commercial fishing industry. The Overseas Investment Commission (OIC) authority is highly regarded to the national interest determination, though no performance requirements are attached to foreign direct investment after approval is agreed.
GOVERNMENT:
New Zealand is a fully independent member of the Commonwealth with a parliamentary government system but without written constitution. Prime Minister leads the cabinet, and also is the leader of the political party or coalition of parties holding the majority of seats in Parliament. All Cabinet ministers must be members of Parliament and are collectively responsible to it. The Maori play significant role in the Parliament. Six of the House of Representatives' 120 seats are currently reserved for Maori elected on a seprate Maori roll. Yet, Maori also may run for, and have been elected to, non-reserved seats. Parliaments are elected for a maximum term of 3 years, though elections may be carried out earlier. The judiciary consists of the Court of Appeals, the High Court, and the District Courts, while the local government in New Zealand has only the powers conferred upon it by Parliament.
FOREIGN RELATIONS:
New Zealand values the United Nations and its participation in that organization, as the country's principal foreign policy is to develop democratic nations and emerging Pacific economies. It also values its participation in the World Trade Organization (WTO); World Bank; International Monetary Fund (IMF); Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); International Energy Agency; Asian Development Bank; South Pacific Forum; The Pacific Community; Colombo Plan; Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC); INTELSAT; and the International Whaling Commission. New Zealand also is an active member of the Commonwealth. New Zealand has continued the well-established associations with the United States and Australia on an extensive range of international issues, regardless of its 1985 break in the ANZUS alliance.
BANKING AND BUSINESS HOURS:
Numerous businesses and all banks work only Monday to Friday, though stores in major cities are extending their hours through to Saturday and Sunday. Those stores catering largely to visitors are open every day, often with extended hours. Most petrol stations are open every day, while the banking hours are 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and are closed on public holidays.
FOOD:
New Zealand's cooking puts forward the value of fishing, dairy farming and livestock farming. Fish, shellfish, dairy products and meat, including lamb, pork and beef are served up in the people's day-to-day recipes. Pavlova is the favorite dessert, while wine and beer are top wanted drinks. Distinguished style of cuisines brought by the migrants, as a number of restaurants serving recipes from countries such as China and Japan.
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