• New Zealand is an island country located in the south-western Pacific Ocean. It is made up of 2 larger islands and several small ones. Its closest neighbors to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga, while its closest neighbor to the south is Australia.

• Fast Facts

  1. Capital: Wellington
  2. Largest city: Auckland
  3. Government: Parliamentary Democracy & Constitutional Monarchy
  4. Prime Minister: Helen Clark
  5. Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II
  6. Population: 4,268,795 (July 2008 estimate)Statistics New Zealand: Population Clock
  7. Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
  8. Official Language: English, Maori
  9. Country Code: +64
  10. Climate: Warm subtropical in the north, cool temperate in the south, severe alpine in mountainous areasNational Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research: Overview of New Zealand Climate

• Demographics

  The indigenous people of New Zealand, the Maori, named the country Aotearoa. Maori people make up the second largest percentage of the population of New Zealand, behind those of European descent.Statistics New Zealand: Ethnic population projections: issues and trends

• Early History

  The first Europeans known to have explored New Zealand were the Dutch in 1642, but violent conflicts with the Maori led them to leave the islands. In 1840, British representatives negotiated with the Maori and signed The Treaty of Waitangi on February 6, 1840.New Zealand in History: The history of New Zealand

• Related Mahalo Pages

  New Zealand Tours | Auckland Vacation | Wellington Vacation | Australia | Pacific Ocean | Waitaha Penguin | Christmas in July

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