17. Lecture 16-17

18. Plan:

19. 1. Brief overview of New Zealand 

20. 2. Weather

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (commonly called the North Island and the South Island), and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands. The indigenous Māorinamed New Zealand Aotearoa, commonly translated as The Land of the Long White Cloud.

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (commonly called the North Island and the South Island), and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands. The indigenous Māori named New Zealand Aotearoa, commonly translated as The Land of the Long White Cloud.

New Zealand is a developed country that ranks highly in international comparisons on human development, quality of life, life expectancy,literacy, public education, peace, prosperity, economic freedom, ease of doing business, lack of corruption, press freedom, and the protection of civil liberties and political rights. Its cities also consistently rank among the world's most liveable.

Similar in size to Japan or the British Isles, New Zealand occupies a land area of some 270,500 square kilometres. Cook Strait separates the North and South Islands. Three quarters of the population lives in the North Island. New Zealand has three official languages: Māori, English and New Zealand Sign Language. English is the most commonly spoken language.

New Zealand is notable for its geographic isolation: it is situated about 2000 km (1250 miles) southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and its closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. During its long isolation New Zealand developed a distinctive faunadominated by birds, a number of which became extinct after the arrival of humans and the mammals they introduced.

The population of New Zealand is mostly of European descent; the indigenous Māori are the largest minority. Asians and non-Māori Polynesians are also significant minority groups, especially in urban areas. The most commonly spoken language is English.

Elizabeth II, as the Queen of New Zealand, is the country's head of state and is represented by a ceremonial Governor-General who holdsreserve powers. The Queen has no real political influence, and her position is essentially symbolic. Political power is held by thedemocratically elected Parliament of New Zealand under the leadership of the Prime Minister, who is the head of government.

Geography

Mountain ranges and country dominate New Zealand's landscape; one of the most striking physical features is the Southern Alps. To add to the variety of the South Island scenery, there are fiords, glaciers and lakes, and the coastal plains of Canterbury and Southland.

Mountain ranges and country dominate New Zealand's landscape; one of the most striking physical features is the Southern Alps. To add to the variety of the South Island scenery, there are fiords, glaciers and lakes, and the coastal plains of Canterbury and Southland. In the North Island is New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo.  The country's most active volcanoes, Ruapehu, Ngaurahoe, Tongariro and Taranaki, are also found in the central North Island. These are usually quiet, although Mount Ruapehu erupted in 1995 and 1996. Hot springs, geysers and mud pools are found in Taupo and Rotorua.

There are spectacular mountainous regions for some of the best skiing in the world, miles of coastlines with incredible beaches for surfing and swimming, and tramping trails throughout the country.

You can explore the following websites for more information on New Zealand: