New Zealand consists of two main islands located southeast of Australia. It has a varied landscape ranging from tropical to Antarctic regions. Wellington is the capital city, and the largest cities are Auckland and Christchurch. The indigenous Maori people first arrived around 950-1150 AD and have cultural traditions like the hongi greeting. Key geographical features include Aoraki/Mt. Cook as the highest mountain and the Waikato River as the longest.

1. New Zealand

2. ~ Geographical Location ~ New Zealand, about 1,250 mi (2,012 km) southeast of Australia, consists of two main islands and a number of smaller outlying islands so scattered they range from the tropical to the Antarctic. The country is the size of Colorado. Capital : Wellington Largest Cities : Auckland, 369,000 (metro area) 359,000 (city proper); Christchurch, 334,100. The highest mountain peak standing at 3,754m (12,319 ft) is Aoraki/Mt. Cook.; longest river is the Waikato River at 425km.

3. ~ History ~ Maoris were the first inhabitants of New Zealand, arriving on the islands in about 950 A.D. and 1150 A.D . Maori oral history maintains that the Maoris came to the island in seven canoes from other parts of Polynesia. In 1642, New Zealand was explored by Abel Tasman, a Dutch navigator. British Captain James Cook made three voyages to the islands, beginning in 1769. Britain formally annexed the islands in 1840.

4. ~Maori Traditions~ Hongi (Maori Greeting) The pressing of noses is the customary greeting at a formal Maori occasion (the Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand). Learning something about this indigenous culture is suggested.

5. Blue & White The Catlins

6. Castle Rock Farewell Spit

7. Tongariro Crossing Tongariro

8. Cloud’s rest Fiordland

9. Rainbow Valley Manapouri, Fiordland

10. Emerald Lake Tongariro Crossing

11. Hell’s Gate Rotorua

12. Flow The Catlins

13. Green Falls The Catlins

14. Mclean Falls The Catlins

15. Whanganui River Whanganui

16. Fiord Doubtful Sound

17. The Cloud Piercer Mt. Cook

18. Day’s End Westport

19. Standing Tall Dunedin

20. The Present Westport

21. Sun Saddle Westport

22. Yin & Yang Nelson Infrared Photography

23. Zen Garden Nelson Infrared Photography

24. Friendsheep Sheep

25. Show Off Sea Lion, Male Curio Bay

26. Family Hooker’s Sea Lion, Male, Female and Cub Curio Bay

27. Lion’s Roar Hooker’s Sea Lion, Female Curio Bay

28. Young One Hooker’s Sea Lion, Male Cub Curio Bay

29. Pondering Fur Seal, Young Milford Sound

30. Playful Dusky Dolphin Kaikoura

31. Glistening Common Dolphin Bay of Plenty

32. Jump Common Dolphin Bay of Plenty

33. Surfing Dolphin Hector Dolphin Curio Bay

34. Facing New Zealand Sperm Whale Kaikoura

35. Tail Sperm Whale Kaikoura

36. Love Australiasian Gannet Kidnappers Cape

37. Lunch Time Australiasian Gannet Kidnappers Cape

38. Landing Australiasian Gannet Kidnappers Cape

39. LAAAAA!! Bellbird Kapiti Island

40. Looking at my kingdom Kea Aspiring

41. She’s got the Look Kea Aspiring

42. The Friendly Fantail Fantail Port Levy

43. “ Don’t Feed the Penguins” Yellow-Eyed Penguin Moeraki

44. Nesting New Zealand Pigeon, Kereru Kapiti Island

45. Baby Kiwi Kiwi Whangarei