1. New Zealand. Paradise in the Pacific Ocean. Part I
New Zealand or Aotearoa [aəu'tea'rəu] (Maori word: means "land of the long white cloud") is
situated midway between the Equator and the South Pole in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is located
southeast of Australia. The countries are separated by the Tasman Sea.
The area of New Zealand is 270.534 sq. kilometers. It is a small, quiet and green country with
only 3,5 million people. It is a little larger than the United Kingdom. It consists of the North Island,
the South Island (the largest ones), the Stewart Island, the Chatham Island and several small island
groups. The two main islands are long and narrow.
New Zealand has a temperate wet ocean climate without marked variations in temperature or
rainfall, without extremes of heat or cold.
New Zealand is dominated by Nature, with magnificent beaches, blue lakes and majestic
mountains. It is a mountainous country. The snow-capped peak of Mount Cook (12,349 feet) is called
"Cloud in the Skies" by the Maoris. Nature has assembled active volcanoes, subtropical rainforests,
geysers, trout streams, fiords, glaciers and over two dozen peaks higher than 3,000 meters. Of the three
highest mountains two are active volcanoes.
New Zealand rivers are short and swift but only few are navigable. There are many clear blue
lakes there. The biggest of the lakes, the Taupo in the North Island, is volcanic in its origin.
Earthquakes, although usually not severe, are frequent here. Every year there are over 100
earthquakes.
Like other regions that were cut off from the rest of the world for a long period, New Zealand
has developed plants with unique characteristics. There are few native animals in the country. Among
the non-flying birds the most interesting is the kiwi. It is found only in New Zealand and has become the
national emblem.
New Zealand - Country at the Crossroads. Part II
The flag of New Zealand has 2 main features: the red, white and
blue Union Jack in the upper left quarter and the four- star Southern Cross
in the right half. On the blue state flag the stars are red, outlined in white.
The national anthem is "God Defend New Zealand"(1977).
The official New Zealand coat of arms (1956) depicts a white woman and a Maori man standing on
leaves of fern and looking at each other over a shield with five badges.
English is the universal language, although Maori, a language of the Polynesian group is still
spoken among the Maori population and is taught in the Maori schools.
About 73% of the population of New Zealand is of European (mainly British) descent but there are
small groups of Chinese and Indians. About 12% are Maori, whose ancestors migrated to New Zealand
in the 9 -14th centuries.
Abel Tasman, the famous Dutch navigator became the first European to sight the land (1642),
but Maoris refused to allow him to land and he sailed away without landing.
Captain James Cook became the first European to set foot on New Zealand (1769). He explored
the coast and took possession in the name of the British crown. This was followed by British
colonization. Maoris fought desperately, but they were overwhelmed by a superior enemy. Maori Wars
ended in 1872. In 1907 New Zealand became a Dominion of the British Empire. Now New Zealand is an
independent state (a parliamentary monarchy) and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It has
close links with Britain and formally the head of state is King or Queen of England represented by the
Governor - General.
The Parliament consists of one House only, the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister is
the head of the government.
Two-thirds of the total area of New Zealand are devoted to agriculture and animal husbandry.
The country is the largest exporter of dairy products in the world and is the second only to Australia in
the export of wool. Other important exports include kiwi fruit, fish, lamb, mutton and beef. The most
significant feature of its industry in recent years is the establishment of heavy industry.
The capital of New Zealand is Wellington, which is also a financial, commercial
and transportation centre of the country (350,000 people). The chief cities are
Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Nelson.