New Zealand is an English-speaking country located approximately 1,500 kilometres east of Australia. The flag features the Union Flag and four red stars representing the Southern Cross constellation. English is the dominant language, though Māori and New Zealand Sign Language are also official. Some key historical events include Polynesians settling between 1000-1300 CE, and European contact beginning in the late 16th century with Spanish explorers who may have discovered New Zealand. Whaling ships from England, France and the US visited waters around New Zealand in the late 18th century, with crews sometimes in conflict with indigenous Māori peoples, while traders and missionaries arrived between 1800-1810.