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Geographical Location New Zealand is a long narrow country lying roughly north south. Consisting of the North and South Islands (and a number of smaller islands), it covers 166,940 kilometers and is 1,600 kilometers long. It covers an area slightly larger than the United Kingdom. New Zealand is situated in the South Pacific, approximately 10,400 kilometers south west of North America and 2,250 kilometers east of Australia. Click Here For Map States and Territories The capital of New Zealand is Wellington, situated at the southern tip of the North Island. Other major cities and towns are: Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Click Here For Map New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day, 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In summer New Zealand uses 'daylight saving', with clocks put forward one hour to GMT+13. Daylight saving begins on the first Sunday in October and ends on the third Sunday of the following March, when clocks are put back to GMT+12. Live New Zealand Time New Zealand population reached 4,173,460 people as on July 2008. New Zealand has a population of about 4.1 million, of which approximately 78% identify with European ethnic groups New Zealand immigration policy is relatively open; its government is committed to increasing its population by about 1% annually. In 2008–09, a target of 45,000 was set by the New Zealand immigration Service (plus a 5,000 tolerance). Twenty-three percent of the population was born overseas, one of the highest rates in the world. While New Zealand is a relatively young country, it has a rich and fascinating history, reflecting both Maori and European heritage. Amazing Maori historic sites and taonga (treasures), some dating back almost a thousand years, are a contrast to many beautiful colonial buildings. A walk around any New Zealand city today shows what a culturally diverse and fascinating country they have become. New Zealand is a land of extreme beauty and sports. The mountains provide the perfect conditions for parapenting, a sport that puts you on the flight path to euphoria. Fast running rivers deliver a torrent of white water activities, which will leave you gasping for more. And man made structures, such as the historic Kawarau River Bridge and the Nevis Highwire, are the leaping point for bungy thrills that begin with a knee tremble and end with an exhilarating dunk in the river. 'Long slow burn' adventures include drifting through cave systems in your own personal raft, climbing peaks in the Southern Alps or abseiling hundreds of feet straight down into a huge underground cavern. News New Zealand’s communications and media services are world class.. A range of network, cable television stations, magazine titles and newspapers will keep you informed. Language English is common and everyday language of New Zealanders. New Zealand is a multi-cultural society and you may hear many other languages including Maori, which is also an official language of New Zealand Culture New Zealand scenery sets it apart from the rest of the world while its people have a reputation for friendliness, strength and independence. There is abundant beauty and diversity in scenery, lifestyle and culture. New Zealand is primarily a European culture, which has absorbed many of the rich and historic cultural elements from the Maori and Pacific Island heritages, and now from its rapidly growing multi-cultural Asian communities. Landmark Three areas of New Zealand have been awarded prestigious UNESCO World Heritage status: New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands, Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand, Tongariro National Park
Natural Resources Even though well over 80% of New Zealanders live in towns and cities, agricultural product is the basis of New Zealand's economy and is the biggest export earner. It is not surprising that one third of the countries total area pasture and that sheep out number people by twenty-five to one! |
