New Zealand information
In this section
Quick facts
New Zealand geography
New Zealand history
New Zealand people and culture
New Zealand language
Quick facts
| Human population | 4 million |
| Sheep population | 40 million |
| Favourite sport | rugby (the All Blacks) |
| National symbols | kiwi (a small flightless bird) Silver Fern (emblem for national sporting teams) |
| Capital | Wellington |
| Official languages | English, Maori |
| Leader | Prime Minister John Key |
| National parks | 14 |
New Zealand is strongly focussed towards tourists and travellers. Tourism contributes around 10% of New Zealand's GDP.
New Zealand geography
New Zealand lies in the south-west Pacific Ocean, 1,600 km east of Australia. It is made up of the North and South Islands and a number of smaller islands, with a total land area of 268,021 sq km. It is about the size of Colorado.
Mountain ranges and hill country dominate New Zealand's landscape. One of the most striking physical features is the Southern Alps (Ka Tiritiri o te Moana). This mountain range, along with fiords, glaciers and lakes, and the coastal plains of Canterbury and Southland, add to the variety of the South Island scenery. In the North Island, the volcanic interior contains New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo, and most of the country's active volcanoes (Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro) all usually quiet, although Ruapehu has had major eruptions in 1995, 1996, and 2007. Hot springs, geysers and mudpools also form part of the volcanic system surrounding Rotorua1.
| Highest mountain | Aoraki/Mt Cook (3,754 m) |
| Deepest lake | Lake Hauroko (462 m) |
| Longest river | Waikato river (452 km) |
| Longest glacier | Tasman glacier (27 km long) |
| Deepest cave | Nettlebed2 (NW Nelson, 889 m) |
New Zealand history
Polynesian settlers arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand about the 10th Century, and by the 12th Century settlements were scattered around the coastline. New Zealand was visited briefly by the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman in 1642. However, it was not until 1769 that the British naval captain James Cook and his crew became the first Europeans to explore New Zealand's coastline thoroughly3.
New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the vote, a battle lead by Kate Sheppard in the 1890s, and it gained its independence from Great Britain in 1907. During the 1980s, free-market economic reform led to the creation of today's modern New Zealand.
New Zealand people and culture
New Zealand's people are renowned for their friendliness, their 'can do' attitude, and their accomplishments. The population is mainly of European descent but the indigenous Maori and their culture is prevalent throughout much of New Zealand society. There are also large Asian and Pacific Island communities with Auckland being classified as the largest Polynesian city in the world.
New Zealand has in recent years undergone a cultural renaissance, from classical diva Dame Kiri te Kanawa to the urban rap of Scribe. Karen Walker is our best known designer in the fashion world, who keeps up with the best of them in New York, Milan and Paris. Prominent film directors include Nicki Caro, director of Whale Rider and Jane Campion, director of films such as The Piano, Portrait of a Lady and Holy Smoke. Not to forget our most famous director, Peter Jackson, director of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa on the waterfront of the capital Wellington combines Maori, colonial and contemporary cultures into a unique experience reflective of New Zealand society.
Sport and outdoor pursuits plays a large role in New Zealand society. The All Blacks are New Zealand's world recognised national rugby team. They inspire fear and admiration in their opponents with the haka, a Maori war dance at the beginning of each match. The gold medal tally at every Olympic Games is eagerly watched by millions of Kiwis. Another famous New Zealander, Sir Edmund Hillary, was the first person to climb Mount Everest in the Himalayas.
New Zealand language
New Zealand English
New Zealanders have their own accent which is similar to but possibly less pronounced than the Australian accent. As in any country there is a wide diversity in the way individuals speak but in general terms New Zealanders are quick talkers who are able to achieve this increased pace by not fully pronouncing the vowels or, indeed, some of the consonants as well. Hence New Zealand becomes 'Noozilan'. If you can't understand what someone is saying just ask them to repeat what they have said more slowly.
New Zealanders naturally also have a few words all of their own, such as: to be crook (to be ill); a dairy (a convenience store); a do (a party or occasion); and a bach (pronounced 'batch' - a holiday home).
Maori
Maori is the native language of New Zealand's indigenous people (the Maori) and although it is not commonly spoken as a first language, Maori can be seen every day in place names and heard on the radio and television, on marae (a Maori meeting house), and increasingly in schools and kindergartens.
Here are a few Maori words you may see or hear during your time in New Zealand.
| haere-mai | welcome |
| haere-ra | goodbye |
| kai | food |
| kia ora | hello |
| kumara | sweet potato |
| mana | prestige, respect |
| pa | fortified village |
| tapu | sacred |
| wai | water |
| whanau | family |
| whare | house |
2 Not an official name. Table supplied by Statistics New Zealand.
