| The diverse culture of New Zealand carries | | | | Lord of the Rings trilogy called them home. |
| much tradition and history built on the | | | | |
| customs of the indigenous people known as the | | | | New Zealand has a population of about 4.1 |
| Maori. Legend holds that the Maori traveled | | | | million people mostly of European descent |
| by canoe from their mythical ancestral island | | | | with Maori being the largest minority. |
| of Hawaiki over 1,000 years ago. These | | | | Non-Maori Polynesian and Asian peoples are |
| Polynesian settlers traveled in open boats | | | | also significant minorities, especially in |
| (or in canoes) that are not too different | | | | the nation's cities. Officially, Elizabeth II |
| from the traditional crafts found in | | | | is the Queen of New Zealand and is |
| Polynesia today. | | | | represented in the country by a non-political |
| | | | governor-general; however, the Queen has no |
| New Zealand is a country comprised of two | | | | real political influence. Political power is |
| large islands and many smaller islands in the | | | | held by the Prime Minister (currently Helen |
| southwestern Pacific Ocean and is noted for | | | | Clark) who is leader of the Government in the |
| its geographic isolation. The Tasman Sea | | | | democratically elected Parliament of New |
| separates Australia to the northwest; to | | | | Zealand. |
| north are Fiji and Tonga. The total area of | | | | |
| New Zealand is 268670 sq. km, which is | | | | Since 1984 the government has be |
| slightly less than Japan but a little more | | | | restructuring the economy to lean more |
| than the United Kingdom. The country has | | | | towards an industrialized free market and |
| extensive marine resources and the fifth | | | | less of an agrarian economy that was |
| largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world. | | | | dependant on the British market. Leading |
| Meaning New Zealand can claim over four | | | | agricultural exports include meat, dairy |
| million km2 or more than 15 times its land | | | | products, forest products, fruit and |
| area for exploration and use of marine | | | | vegetables, fish, and wool. |
| resources. | | | | |
| | | | The culture, contemporary and diverse, has |
| The climate is mild, mostly cool temperate to | | | | influences from British, Irish, and Maori |
| warm temperate, with temperatures rarely | | | | cultures. New Zealand is one of the most |
| falling below 0°C (32°F) or rising | | | | recently settled major landmasses. Polynesian |
| above 30°C (86°F). The South Island is | | | | settlers arrived in their waka some time |
| the largest mass, mountainous, wet and cold. | | | | between 800 and 600 years ago to establish |
| It is divided length-wise by the Southern | | | | the indigenous Maori culture. Among the |
| Alps. The North Island, dry and continental, | | | | British settlers, many people were from |
| is marked by volcanism. The tallest mountain | | | | Scotland giving New Zealand more bagpipe |
| on the North Island Mount Ruapehu (9,176-ft) | | | | bands than in Scotland! |
| is an active cone volcano. Although the | | | | |
| island landscapes are impressive, they became | | | | What exactly is a Kiwi? |
| a lot more popular when the production the | | | | |