Introduction
The original inhabitants of New Zealand were the Maori. It is estimated that these Polynesians arrived in several migration 'waves' in New Zealand about 1000 years ago. On a voyage of discovery, Dutch navigator Abel Tasman sailed up the West Coast of New Zealand in 1642, but did not stay long after his only attempt at landing on New Zealand's shores was repelled by the Maori. New Zealand was not rediscovered by Europeans until 1769 when the British naval captain, James Cook, and his crew, became the first Europeans to lay claim to New Zealand.
It was not until 1840 that any formal agreement was signed between the Maori people of New Zealand and the European settlers. This agreement, known as the Treaty of Waitangi, is New Zealand's founding document. The signing of the Treaty between over 500 Maori Chiefs and representatives of the British Crown is commemorated annually on February 6 as New Zealand's national day - Waitangi Day.
New Zealand became a self-governing British colony in 1856 and then a Dominion in 1907. It took until 1947 however before New Zealand became fully independent.
Geography
New Zealand is located in the southern Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,600 kilometers (995 miles) south-east of Australia. New Zealand is comprised of two main islands (the North and South Islands) and several smaller islands of which the combined total land area is 270,534 sq. kms (104,454 sq. mls - approximately 36 times less than the US). It is similar in size to Colorado and somewhere in between the size of Japan and the United Kingdom.
New Zealand's geography includes spectacular landscapes incorporating the vast mountain chain of the Southern Alps (larger than the French, Austrian and Swiss Alps combined), the volcano region of the North Island, fiords, glaciers, lakes, rainforests and extensive grassy plains.
Highest point : Mount Cook (3,754 m or 12313 ft)
Deepest lake : Lake Hauroko (462 m 1515 ft)
Largest lake : Lake Taupo (606 km or 234 miles)
Longest river : Waikato River (425 km or 264 miles long)
Largest glacier : Tasman Glacier (29 km or 18 miles long)
Deepest cave: Nettlebed, Mount Arthur (889 m or 2916 ft)
Length of coastline : 15,811 km (9824 miles)
New Zealand experiences summer from December - February
and winter from June - August. The climate is temperate
with little extreme. Any huge variations in temperature
can be accounted for by the combination of the mountainous
geography and prevailing westerly winds. p. Jan Jul
°C Auckland 23.8 15.1 2,071 1,106 Wellington 20.3 11.2
2,024 1,269 Christchurch 22.6 11.1 2,066 645 Dunedin
18.9 9.9 1,595 799
| |
Mean daily maximum Tem |
Bright
Sunshine Hours |
Mean annual
Rainfall mm |
| |
Jan |
Jul |
| |
°C |
| Auckland |
23.8 |
15.1 |
2,071 |
1,106 |
| Wellington |
20.3 |
11.2 |
2,024 |
1,269 |
Population
Estimated Resident population of New Zealand as on today is 4,057,960.
Most of the 3.7 million New Zealanders are of British origin. About 14% claim descent from the indigenous Maori population, which is of Polynesian origin. Nearly 75% of the people, including a large majority of Maori, live on the North Island. In addition, 167,000 Pacific Islanders also live in the New Zealand.
During the late 1870s, natural increase permanently replaced immigration as the chief contributor to population growth and has accounted for more than 75% of population growth in the 20th century. Nearly 85% of New Zealand's population lives in urban areas, where the service and manufacturing industries are growing rapidly.
The largest non-European group of people are the Maori, the first settlers of New Zealand, known as the 'tangata whenua' (the people of the land) who make up around 15 percent of the population. Maori culture, art and traditions are an important part of New Zealand's heritage and culture.
Economic Growth
New Zealand's economy is heavily dependent on overseas trade. Traditionally a large proportion of New Zealand's exports, (mainly agricultural products), went to the United Kingdom.
New Zealand has developed its agriculture and manufacturing industries to suit the needs of niche markets. Dairy and meat exports still make a large contribution to New Zealand's economy. However, industries such as forestry, horticulture, fishing, manufacturing and tourism have become increasingly significant.
The value of merchandise exports to all countries has increased by 141% between 1998 and 2001. Exports to many Asian countries have increased at a faster rate - for example the value of exports to Korea over this period has increased 358% to a total value of $1.4 million in 2001.
For the year ended September 2002, the merchandise exports value is $31,676 million, a decrease of 3.7 % from the previous September year. Gross Domestic Product for the year ended March 2001 totalled $112, 316 million.
The New Zealand currency is the New Zealand dollar. One dollar is equal to 100 cents (50c, 20c, 10c, 5c).
Culture
New Zealanders may have a reputation as being friendly and welcoming to international visitors, but research is showing that they are less enthusiastic when it comes to promoting our cultural and historical offerings to visitors.
New Zealanders have a 'cultural cringe' about New Zealand's culture, seeing it as incomparable to what is found overseas and therefore concluding it is not worthy of mentioning to international visitors.
New Zealand's society reflects many years of migration from all parts of the globe. The majority are of British descent, along with other European cultures such as Greek, Italian, French, Dutch, Dalmatian, Scandinavian and German.
New Zealand has a wide variety of religions, although the country is predominantly Christian in one of many forms including Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian. However many New Zealanders attend church only rarely. Anyone can attend any place of worship they choose. Many ethnic groups also have their own places of worship.
New Zealand is a great country for sports and leisure - its countryside offers limitless possibilities, and New Zealanders enjoy playing sport.
One can explore the outdoors with tramping, skiing and cycling, or take up team sports such as rugby, basketball and netball.
Restaurants, cafés and bars throughout New Zealand, of all nationalities, especially in the larger cities. Wellington has more cafes and bars per capita than New York.
Education
New Zealand has an international reputation as a provider of quality education. It has a progressive education system with many state of the art facilities. It offers a safe learning environment with excellent study opportunities and support services for international students. Courses are available for academic, professional and vocational studies at New Zealand institutions - universities, polytechnics and institutes of technology, colleges of education, secondary schools and private training establishments.
New Zealand produces top graduates who can take their place with confidence in the international arena in many disciplines.
The quality of a New Zealand university education is well recognized internationally. Many New Zealand graduates have gone on to achieve international recognition in their field. Many of the international students from developing Asian nations, who have studies at New Zealand universities, have since served as senior administrators, including cabinet ministers in their own countries
Work hard and play hard is the lifestyle choice of many international students in New Zealand. If you are looking for world-class education and training, and also want new experiences, fun, a relaxed lifestyle and a safe and healthy environment, then you should consider New Zealand as your study destination.
Living
Accommodation and Cost of Living
Some secondary schools offer boarding facilities, while others arrange home stays for international students.
Usually universities and polytechnics offer student accommodation on campus. Some students prefer to live off campus and will seek advice from the student support services, provided by most tertiary institutes, to help with arranging home stays or give advice on finding student flats.
It is generally recommended that international students allow NZ$9,000 to $10,000 per year for living and accommodation costs. This includes accommodation, food, travel, textbooks and limited entertainment.
Opportunities/Benefits
In New Zealand you are entitled to at least the minimum wage if you are 16 years old or over. The minimum wage is set by law, and rates of pay in your employment contract cannot be less than this no matter which field you are working in.
Major industries are located throughout New Zealand, but some parts of the country are better suited than others to industries such as agriculture and viticulture. Others have developed as centres of excellence in particular industries, such as Canterbury and its electronics industry.
Transport & Comunication
Air New Zealand is one of the world's most advanced international airlines. Air New Zealand, Qantas New Zealand and Freedom Air operate in the domestic commercial air travel industry. Tranz Rail provide all commercial train transportation throughout the country and also operate the Cook Strait ferry service (Interislander). The approximate cost per day for Car Rental of a mid-sized car is NZ$80-NZ$110, with competitive rates negotiable for longer hires. New Zealanders drive on the left-hand side of the road.
New Zealand has a fully developed communications infrastructure and the use of the Internet as a means of communication is very popular.
Mobile telephones can be used and are available for hire on arrival in New Zealand, (outlets are available at international airports). Mobile phones from another country need to have an international roam facility covering New Zealand to work in New Zealand.
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