Guide to New Zealand/New Zealand guide book
New Zealand is known throughout the world for its space, its natural beauty and tranquillity. It is a friendly, multicultural nation of just over 4 million people. Wellingtons sits at the southern end of the North Island.
Geography
New Zealand (Aotearoa) is a South Pacific country located midway between the Equator and the South Pole, and approximately 1600 kilometres east of Australia. The country consists of two main islands, the North and South Islands, which are together similar in size to Japan or Britain. New Zealand’s climate is oceanic, without extremes of hot or cold. Most parts of the country enjoy ample sunshine and rainfall, although the weather is changeable.
There are more than 4 million New Zealanders of all races, but predominantly of European and Polynesian origin. The Maori population is around 13% of the total. 75% of all New Zealanders live in the North Island. English is the common language of business and everyday usage, but Maori is an official language recognised in the courts and of increasing significance nationally.
Politics
New Zealand is an independent parliamentary democracy within the British Commonwealth. The formal head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented by a New Zealander as Governor-General.
The legislature is a single-chamber House of Representatives, with 120 members. Elections are held every three years and all people 18 years and over have the right to vote.
Some members are elected to represent geographic constituencies, while others win seats as representatives of their parties, in proportion to the percentage of the popular vote their party receives.
The head of government is the Prime Minister (leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives) who is assisted by a Cabinet of about 20 Ministers chosen from the elected members of Parliament. The capital city and seat of government is Wellington
Economics
New Zealand has a worldwide reputation for agricultural products. Meat and wool are produced from 53 million sheep, and meat and dairy products from more than 8 million cattle. Almost half of New Zealand’s export earnings are derived from farming. Other major exports are timber and timber products, fish and horticultural produce. Tourism and education have increased dramatically in significance over the past decade and are now major earners for New Zealand.
Other growth areas include the application of new technology, particularly information technology, genetics and biochemistry, biomedical science, industrial chemistry and areas of high-tech physics.
The New Zealand dollar is stable and has a very favourable exchange rate with most countries. This, coupled with the reasonably low cost of living, gives most visitors high purchasing power.
Leisure
New Zealand is often considered an adventure playground and mountain biking, surfboarding, bungy jumping, snowboarding, skiing and hiking are popular ways to enjoy the great outdoors. Common sports include rugby, netball, cricket, squash, sailing and soccer.
New Zealand has a reasonably temperate climate but with prominent mountains can offer skiing and snowboarding in the winter, while in the summer allows for swimming and other outdoor pursuits.
Visit www.newzealand.com to learn more about life in New Zealand.