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Experience NZ Travel Ltd
travel@experiencenz.com
Level 8, AMP Chambers
187 Featherston St
Wellington 6001
New Zealand

PO Box 25434
Panama Street
Wellington 6146

Tel. +64 (4) 473 4470*
Fax. +64 (4) 473 4471

*Office hours are 9:00a.m. to 5:30p.m. NZ time is currently: 7:44AM (Thursday)

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New Zealand Statistics

GEOGRAPHY OF NEW ZEALAND

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 the State of Colorado.

Mountain ranges and hill country dominate New Zealand’s landscape; one of the most striking physical features is the Southern Alps/Kä Tiritiri o te Moana. These, 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 been active since September 1995. Hot springs, geysers and mudpools also form part of the volcanic system centred around Rotorua.¹

» New Zealand map

Highest mountain	Aoraki/Mt Cook (3,754 m)
Deepest lake	Lake Hauroko (462 m)
Longest River	Waikato river (452 km)
Largest glacier	Tasman Glacier (28.5 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. Aotearoa 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 thoroughly.³ New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the vote, a battle lead by Kate Sheppard in the 1890's; and it gained it's independence from Great Britain in 1907. During the 1980's free market economic reform led to the creation of todays modern New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL INFORMATION

New Zealand is strongly focussed towards tourists and travellers. Tourism contributes to around 10% of New Zealand's GDP. For the year ended January 2004, there were 2.13 million international visitor arrivals, up 68,600 or 3.3% on the previous year.⁴ Many are drawn by the excitement of tourist attractions like the Shotover Jet.

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NEW ZEALAND PEOPLE

New Zealand's people are renowned for their friendliness, their 'can do' attitude and their accomplishments. Some would almost say they have the character traits of certain small inhabitants of the Lord of the Rings. The population is mainly of European descent but the indigenous Maori and their culture is prevalent through out much of New Zealand society. There are also large proportions of Pacific Island and Asian peoples as well, Auckland being classified as the largest Polynesian city in the world.

Auckland Restaurant - dngn14

New Zealand has in recent years undergone a cultural renaissance, from the classical Dame Kiri te Kanawa to the urban South Auckland sound of Nesian Mystik. 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 man of the moment, 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 thousands of Kiwis. Another famous New Zealander, Sir Edmund Hillary, was the first person to climb Mount Everest in the Himalayas.

NEW ZEALAND QUICK FACT FILE
Human population	4 million
Sheep population	40 million
Favourite sport	Rugby - The "All Blacks"
National symbols	The Kiwi, a small flightless bird. The Silver Fern, emblem for national sporting teams.
Capital	Wellington
Official languages	English, Maori
Leader	Prime Minister Helen Clark
Number of National Parks	14

Have a quick glance through our client comments for a better picture of traveller's impressions of the New Zealand travel experience.

¹Statistics New Zealand
²Not an official name. Table supplied by Statistics New Zealand
³Statistics New Zealand
⁴Tourism Research Council New Zealand

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