New Zealand

FULL COUNTRY NAME : New Zealand
CAPITAL: Wellington
TOTAL AREA: 269,000 sq.km
POPULATION: 4,182,000 people
PEOPLE: 88% Europeans, 125 Maori and Polynesian
LANGUAGES: English and Maori
RELIGION: Predominantly Christian (81%)
HEAD OF STATE: Queen Elizabeth II represented by Governor-General
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Constitutional monarchy
LONGEST RIVER: Waikato (425 km)
LARGEST LAKE: Taupo (606 km)
HIGHEST POINT: Mount Cook (3,754 m)
NATIONAL DAY: Waitangi Day , 6 February ( since 1840)
MAJOR INDUSTRIES: wood and paper products, wool, textile, iron, steel
CURRENCY: NZ dollar
NATIONAL SYMBOLS: Kiwi
NATIONAL ANTHEM: “God Defend New Zealand”
Some facts

New Zealand is a country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two large islands – the North Island and the South Island – and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island. The Realm of New Zealand also includes the Cook Islands and Niue Tokelau; . New Zealand, a wealthy Pacific nation, is dominated by two cultural
groups: New Zealanders of
European descent, and the minority Maori, whose Polynesian ancestors arrived on the islands around 1,000 years ago.
New Zealand has diversified its export markets and has developed strong trade links with Australia, the US, and Japan.

Flag of New Zealand - one of the official symbols of New Zealand. Officially approved March 24, 1904. The flag is based on the UK flag. Depicted on the flag four red five-pointed star, symbolizing the country's geographical position and represent the brightest stars of the constellation of the Southern Cross. The flag has three colors: red ,blue and white.

The kiwi bird was named so for the sound of its chirp. This flightless bird, about the size of a domestic hen, has an extremely long beak and plumage more like hair than feathers. It has no tail, almost no wings. It weights about 2 kg. The female kiwi lays only one egg, but it is about 1/5th of her own weight. After laying it she leaves her husband to hatch the egg out. The New Zealand dollar is frequently called the Kiwi. The dollar coin features a kiwi bird on one side.
National Emblem

The Maori people are the indigenous people of New Zealand. Maoritanga is the native language. It is believed that the Maori migrated from Polynesia in canoes about the 9th century to 13th century AD. The Maoris lived in tribes called ‘iwi’. They lived in villages and were fishermen, hunters and framers. The present Maori population has increased to about 250,000 and the Maori live in all parts of New Zealand, but predominately in the North Island where the climate is warmer.
Maori

The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand. The island is 113,729 sq. km in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island. It has a population of 3,148,400. Several important cities are in the North Island: Auckland, and Wellington, the capital. Approximately 76% of New Zealand's population lives in the North Island.
North Island

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, the country's second largest urban area and the most populous national capital in Oceania. The population is about 449,000 people.
Wellington is New Zealand's political centre, housing Parliament and the head offices of all government ministries and departments, plus the bulk of the foreign diplomatic missions based in New Zealand.
Te Papa Museum
Wellington Parliament
Wellington

The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand. The South Island has an area of 151,215 sq. km, making it the world's 12th-largest island. It has a population of 991,100. Along its west coast runs the mountain chain of the Southern Alps with Mount Cook being the highest point, 3,754 m.
South Island

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island, it is also the second largest city and third largest urban area of New Zealand. The Population is about 367,700 people. The city is named after the Christ Church cathedral, which is itself named after Christ Church, a college at the University of Oxford, and the Cathedral of Oxford. The city was originally known as Christ Church, the written form consolidating by the 1880s.
College
Museum
Cathedral
Christchurch

Queenstown is a picturesque tourist destination located in the South Island. The population of the Queenstown is 9,251. The town is built around an inlet on Lake Wakatipu. Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world. Many tourists flock to the area year round to indulge in activities such as white water rafting, kayaking, jet boating, tandem sky-driving.
Queenstown

New Zealand’s 3rd largest island, Stewart Island is a very special place. The only town is Oban with population about 400 people. It is a heaven for native birds’ life. The kiwi, rare in both the North and the South Island, is common over much of the island, particularly around beaches. The weather is changeable on the island. Tramping the many tracks, see kayaking, fishing, walking on the bird sanctuary, Ulva Island is some of the exiting things people can do on this island.
Oban
Stewart Island

New Zealand is known as the seabird capital of the world and is also home to a number of forest birds that live nowhere else on Earth.
Weka
Moa
Kakapo
Takahe
Birds

New Zealand is one of the world’s richest bio-diverse flora areas on earth. It is endemic and its extent is enormous. Native trees include Rimu, Totara, Matai, Kahikatea, Rata, Tawa and many species of ferns including some giant tree ferns. Other notable trees include the Cabbage Tree, the Nikau Palm which is New Zealand's only palm tree, and the Giant Kauri, which hold the record for the greatest timber volume of any tree. One of the most noticeable plants is the Pohutukawa which detonates with brilliant red flowers around December.
Cabbage Tree
Nikau Palm
Pohutukawa
Fern
Rata
Plants

There are many animals on the isolated islands of New Zealand, including some native animals and others that have been introduced. Some of the animals native to New Zealand include: a few primitive frogs, two species of bats, a few reptiles , and many birds. The only poisonous animal native to New Zealand is the katipo, a red-black spider, one of the deadliest spiders in the world. There are no snakes native to New Zealand. Many of New Zealand's native species are on the decline and some, like the kakapo, are on the verge of extinction.
Katipo
Tuatara
Animals

Abel Tasman NP
Mount Aspiring NP
Whanganui NP
Paparoa NP
National Parks