About New Zealand

Information about New Zealand

The small island nation of New Zealand, roughly equivalent to Great Britain in size, is a unique and diverse land located in the South Pacific.

Once part of the ancient super-continent of Gondwana, New Zealand separated off around 80 million years ago. Its subsequent isolation from other land masses has meant that it became home to a collection of flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world - tall tree ferns, ancient tuatara (the sole remaining species of an ancient order of reptile), a huge ground-dwelling nocturnal parrot (kakapo), the kiwi, giant weta or flightless crickets, and many more.

Powerful geological forces have sculpted the land and continue to do so, contributing to the diverse and spectacular scenery for which New Zealand is renowned - fiords, snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, lakes, rivers, beaches, hills, plains, geysers, and rainforests.

New Zealand was first inhabited around 800 years ago by Polynesian navigators (Maori) and they were followed later by Europeans predominantly of British origin (Pakeha). Today New Zealand is a bicultural society which is steadily embracing multi-culturalism as more people from the Pacific Islands and Asia make it their home. Aotearoa or "the land of the long white cloud", as it was referred to by the early Maori, now has a population of just over 4 million, around half of whom live in the three larger cities: Auckland, the capital Wellington and Christchurch. As a result New Zealand has retained vast areas of uncluttered, clean, natural, and in places untouched, environment.

Kiwis (New Zealanders) are a welcoming and friendly people who embrace the outdoors, have abundant enthusiasm for sport and have a unique cultural identity which has evolved from the combination of Maori heritage and colonialism.

Such diversity, both physically and culturally, and the compact nature of the country mean that a great variety of activities, experiences and scenery can be enjoyed within a short distance and time, making New Zealand an ideal travel destination.

Here are some links to web sites where you can find information about New Zealand:

• Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Browse this New Zealand encyclopedia by themes or topics, or simply alphabetically. The web site also has a good search function.
• New Zealand History online. Everything you might want to know about New Zealand culture, society, history, politics and government.
• New Zealand Books. An online store for New Zealand published books. Buy online; they will ship to world wide destinations.
• New Zealand Department of Conservation. This website provides valuable information about New Zealand's national parks, the associated recreation opportunities, and the department's conservation activities.
• Four Corners. This web site is a complete New Zealand Travel and Vacation Guide, with street maps, currency exchange rates, and much more.
• Destination NZ. This is another New Zealand travel guide packed with useful and interesting information about New Zealand.

See our links page for more references to useful information about disability, travel and tourism in New Zealand.