New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometres (900 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans.

1. NEW ZEALAND

4. The Maoris were the first inhabitants of New
Zealand, arriving on the islands around 950 CE.
The word 'Maori' means 'the original people'.
Legend says that the Maoris came in seven canoes
from the eastern parts of Polynesia.
They called New Zealand Aotearoa which means,
'the land of the long white clouds'.

9. The Dutch sea captain Abel Tasman discovered New
Zealand in the late seventeenth century.
But it was only in 1769 that Captain James Cook of the
British Navy explored several islands of New Zealand.
The British proclaimed their sovereignty over the islands in
1840. There was a series of land wars between the Maoris
and the British between 1843 and 1872.
The British colony of New Zealand finally became an
independent dominion in 1907.

18. New Zealand lies in the South Pacific Ocean, between
34°S and 47°S latitudes and 166° E and 178°E
longitudes. The country covers a total area of 268,680 sq
km, approximately.
North island
South island
SEPARATED BY
COOK STRAIT

19. MOUNTAIN
RANGES
ROLLING
GRASSLAND
LUSH
FORESTS
SANDY
BEACHES
PHYSICAL FEATURES

20. The North Island, which was formed as a result of volcanic
activity under the sea, contains the world's maximum
concentration of active volcanoes.
The Taupo Volcanic Zone has been very active in the past
sixteen years. Mount Ruapehu is an active volcano of this
region.
The Auckland Volcanic Field is currently dormant but it
has been estimated to contain at least forty dormant volcanoes
that may erupt any time.
NORTH ISLAND

21. The North Island contains a number of mountain ranges and hills.
Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu are the
three highest peaks.
Lake Taupo, the largest lake of New Zealand, is a volcanic crater
lake. It gives rise to the Waikato River which is the longest in the
country.
The Waikato River has formed a large fertile plain in the north-
western part of North Island. This is called the Waikato plain. This
region is heavily populated.

22. In the North lies New Zealand's thermal region, around the
town of Rotorua.
This region is famous for hot springs.
It has fertile soil which is good for pastoral farming.

23. SOUTH ISLAND
Dominated by the Southern Alps, a long mountain
chain that runs
along the west coast of the island.
The highest peak of New Zealand, Mount Cook
(3,754 m), is located here.
These mountains, though not very high, have a
number of glaciers.

24. LATITUDE
NEARNESS TO
THE SEA
WINDS
LOCATION OF
MOUNTAIN
RANGES
CLIMATE

25. Situated in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand
experiences summer in December and winter in June.
The country experiences a cool temperate climate

26. WILD LIFE

29. WALLABIES

30. TUATARA- NATIVE OF NZ

31. WEASELS

33. BELL BIRD

34. TUI

36. Temperate climate and plentiful rainfall make
New Zealand ideal for farming.
The Canterbury Plains on the east coast of the
South Island is the most fertile region of the
country.
Farming is highly mechanised due to the
shortage of farm labour.

42. Pastoral farming is a major economic activity in New Zealand.
Merino sheep are raised here for their fine wool.
Sheep and cattle are also reared for their meat.
SHEEP REARING

43. Dairy farming is a very important occupation of the people of New
Zealand.
The important area is the Waikato Plain which is one of the most
productive grass growing areas of the world.
.
Co-operative societies are a special feature in New Zealand and the
dairymen are probably the most efficient producers of milk in the world.
Highly developed refrigeration facilities help in transporting dairy
products over long distances.
New Zealand earns a lot of foreign exchange by exporting butter,
cheese and milk powder.

44. MINERALS

49. WATER POWER
Eight dams have been constructed across the Waikato River in North
Island.
90% of the country's electricity requirements are fulfilled by HYDEL
POEWR

50. About 9% of the total electricity generated in New Zealand comes from
the geothermal plants situated in the volcanic plateau of North Island.
These plants utilise the heat energy of the hot springs and geysers. Hot
springs are produced by the emergence of heated groundwater from
the Earth's crust.
The Wairakei Geothermal Plant, which has been built beside the
Waikato River, lies on an active volcanic zone.

52. INDUSTRIES
AGRO
BASED
MINERAL
BASED

53. INDUSTRIES
AGRO BASED
FOOD , MILK, MEAT ,
WOOL,
PAPER, WOOD
MINERAL BASED
CHEMICAL, IRON AND
STEEL , MACHINERY ,
AUTOMOBILE
INDUSTRIES

54. TRADE
IMPORT
, IRON AND STEEL ,
MACHINERY , AUTOMOBILE
AND CONSUMER GOODS
EXPORT FOOD , MILK, MEAT , WOOL,

55. New Zealand has an excellent transport system. Roads and highways
connect the interiors of the country to the coastal areas.
Railways link all the main cities.
Water transport is very important. Ferries carry goods and
passengers between the two islands. Auckland and Wellington are the
busiest ports.
New Zealand is connected by air to all the important cities of the world.
Air New Zealand is the official airline of New Zealand.
TRANSPORT

57. PEOPLE
MAORIS
9%
ASIANS
3%
EUROPEANS
88%
ENGLISH IS AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

58. CITIES
AUCKLAND
OLD CAPITAL
WELLINGTON
NEW CAPITAL
CHRISTCHRUCH