New Zealand

Natural Features

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Land

• North Island – 3 major volcanic peaks – eruptions are

common– Hills and coastal plains

• South Island – Mountains - Southern Alps

• Thick forests, lakes, glaciers

– Coastal plain on eastern side


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Climate

• Mainly marine coast climate – very humid– Lots of rain– Southern Alps – snow– Northern Island has a more tropical climate


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Wildlife

• Endemic species – Kiwi – a flightless bird– Bats


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Resources

• Fertile land– More than ½ of New Zealand is pastures &

farms

• Few mineral resources

History


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1st Settlers

• First settlers came from other Pacific islands more than 1,200 years ago

• Came to be called the Maori


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Maori

• They were fishers & hunters

• Unlike Aborigines, they were also farmers

• Lived in small settlements


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European Contact

• British sailor Captain James Cook explored New Zealand in 1769

• Large numbers of British settlers arrived in the early 1800’s

• When the British signed a treaty with the Maori in 1840, New Zealand became a British colony

• Fighting continued between the Maori & the British


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Independence

• New Zealand was granted independence in 1907

• Became part of the British Commonwealth of Nations

New Zealand Today

Government


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Parliamentary Democracy

• Citizens elect members to represent them in a parliament.

• British Monarch is the head of state• Prime Minister is the “leader” of the country

Culture


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People

• Almost 80% are of British ancestry

• The Maori make up only 10%

• Asian and Pacific Islanders have been growing in numbers since the 1970’s

• 80% live in urban areas or cities

• Majority of the population lives on North Island


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Economy

• Rich, economically developed country• Agriculture very important

– Wool– Meat– Dairy products

• Banking• Insurance• Tourism• Has become more industrialized: factories –

processed food, paper products, clothing


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Religion

• Most New Zealanders are Christians


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Interests

• Sports, especially rugby, are popular

• Maori traditional culture remain important


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Challenges

• Improving the economic and political status of the Maori

• Environmental Issues

New Zealand

Education

Transcript of New Zealand