Welcome to New Zealand

  • Maori warriors at Waitangi

    © Patricia Hofmeester/Shutterstock

    Photo of Maori warriors with face paintings at Waitangi

  • Wellington – the capital of New Zealand

    © 4FR/iStockphotos

    Photo of Wellington – the capital of New Zealand

  • Auckland – New Zealand’s largest city

    © ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock

    Photo of Auckland – New Zealand’s largest city

  • The Kiwi – a national icon

    © Stephan Zabel/iStockphotos

    Photo of kiwi – a bird native to New Zealand

  • Fiordland National Park, South Island

    © Katarina S/Shutterstock

    Photo of Fiordland National Park on the South Island

  • Rotorua Geothermal Park, North Island

    © ullstein bild/Getty Images

    Photo of Rotorua Geothermal Park on the North Island
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Welcome to New Zealand

Welcome to New Zealand

CE – Common/Current Era (alternative to AD)

New Zealand is closer to the South Pole than to the Equator. The first people here came from islands in the Pacific Ocean in about 1300 CE. They called the country ‘Aotearoa’, which means “the land of the long white cloud”. These tribes developed a culture and language called Maori.

The first European to come to New Zealand was a 17th century Dutch explorer. The British came next. In 1840 the British signed the Treaty of Waitangi with Maori chiefs, and New Zealand became a British colony. However, the treaty also said that the Maori could still have their own way of life, and control the resources where they lived.

Thousands of settlers came from Britain. They needed land for farming, but selling land was not part of Maori tradition. This resulted in two wars. Some land was stolen by the colonists, and some was sold to them. Gradually more and more Maoris moved into towns and cities.

Modern New Zealand is an independent democracy. Wellington is the capital, but the largest city is Auckland. The population is 4.5 million. More than 70% are of European descent, and 15% are Maori. There are also immigrants from Asia and the Pacific Islands.

For some years there has been a debate about changing the national flag. Many people feel the New Zealand flag looks like the Australian flag. Some do not like the fact that it shows the country was once a colony. And most importantly, it does not reflect Maori culture. A new flag will be chosen in 2016.

As well as its Maori heritage, the country is known for its dramatic landscapes. There are fjords, geysers, and active volcanoes. The highest mountain is Aoroki/Mount Cook, which is 3,724 metres high. Because the country has been so isolated, it also has animals and plants you will not find anywhere else in the world. All of this has made it very popular both with tourists and filmmakers. If you’ve seen The Lord of the Rings, you’ve already experienced some of the magic of New Zealand.

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