POPULATION
4.500.000 people live in New Zealand, with the north island being the most popular, however, it is one of the least populated countries (density of 16.4 / km2- 200th worldwide). Some cities like Auckland are busy and crowded, but most cities and towns offer plenty of peace and tranquility.
Life in New Zealand is quiet, too quiet sometimes.
Life in New Zealand is quiet, too quiet sometimes.
LOCATION
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean. It’s situated 1,500 kilometres east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and 1,000 kilometres south of Fiji, and Tonga. The capital city is Wellington.
The flag:
The shied:
The flag:
The shied:
The first quadrant depicts the four stars on the flag of New Zealand; the second quadrant depicts a golden fleece, representing the nation's farming industry; the third depicts a sheaf of wheat for agriculture; and the fourth quadrant depicts crossed hammers for mining. The central pale depicts three galleys, representing New Zealand's maritime nature and also the Cook Strait. The Dexter supporter is a European woman carrying the flag of New Zealand, while the Sinister supporter is a Maori Warrior holding a Taiaha(Fighting weapon) and wearing a Kaitaka(flax cloak). The Shield is topped by the Crown of St. Edward, the Monarch of New Zealand's Crown. Below is a scroll with "New Zealand" on it, behind which (constituting the "heraldic compartment" on which the supporters stand) are two fern branches.
LANDSCAPE
The country consists of two major islands and several smaller islands, such as the Bay of Islands in the North Island. The country has very active geothermal activity which offers thermal baths and lakes that are a touristic attraction. The rugged terrain in some areas creates the appearance of a moon landscape. The different climates and landscapes (beaches, tropical forests, lakes, rivers, valleys, mountains) offer a great variety of options for tourists and locals.
WEATHER
New Zealand has a mild and temperate maritime climate with mean annual temperatures ranging from 10 °C in the south to 16 °C in the north. Conditions vary sharply across regions from extremely wet on the West Coast of the South Island to almost semi-arid in Central Otago and the Mackenzie Basin of inland Canterbury and subtropical in the North island
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
The country is famous for its diversity in terrains, making it suitable for the practice of many outdoors activities such as hiking, camping, mountain biking, mountaneering, kayaking, surfing, yatching, sailing and the practice of many alpine and extreme sports. Some of the most famous natural sights include Lake Taupo on the North island and the southern alps on the South island, where some of the landscapes from the movie Lord of the Rings were filmed. Two famous buildings are the Parliament Building in Wellington (locally known as the beehive for it´s odd shape) and the skytower in Auckland (tallest building in the south pacific). The most Famous museum is Te Papa or National Museum of New Zealand, which has a collection of historic paintings, carvings and sculptures from the Maori culture.
FOOD
New Zealand is a nation of islands. Its water contains a lot of seafood and fish. However, the seafood has never been an important part of the diet of New Zealanders, because them usually eat much meat. However the seafood has always been a significant aspect in the diet of the Maori. Certainly many of the names the seafood and fish are of Maori origen.
Lamb is one of the most popular traditional foods. Almost always is baked with potatoes and squash. This is a tradition specially in winter.
Fish and chips is a New Zealand food usual.
MUSIC
New Zealand Modern music has been influenced by genres such as hip hop, rock and roll, country, blues and jazz. These are mixed with folk music from New Zealand and Polynesia. Some performers in Maori songs, which brought the resurgence of Maori tradition hapa haka (song and dance).
New Zealand Modern music has been influenced by genres such as hip hop, rock and roll, country, blues and jazz. These are mixed with folk music from New Zealand and Polynesia. Some performers in Maori songs, which brought the resurgence of Maori tradition hapa haka (song and dance).
SPORTS
New Zealand are the hosts of this years Rugby World Cup. The Kiwi national team (known as the All Blacks) is expected to win the championship, but they will face strong opponents in their Australian neighbors (known as the Wallabes) and other great Rugby nations: England, Ireland, Scotland, Argentina, Wales and the reigning champions, Southafrica (known as the Springboks). The Al lblacks have a particular tradition, known as the Haka, which is a traditional maori war dance that they perform before the beginning of every game to show their opponents their strength and courage.
New Zealand was the winner of the 2011 Rugby World Cup,after winning the final 8-7 France. Australia won the bronze medal by defeating Wales selection.
New Zealand was the winner of the 2011 Rugby World Cup,after winning the final 8-7 France. Australia won the bronze medal by defeating Wales selection.
ARTS
Pre-European Māori visual art has two main types: carving and weaving. Both recorded stories, legends and religious roles. The european brought your artistic traditions, landscape painting mainly, althougt some of the nineteenth century Pakeha artists (Goldie and Gottfried Lindauer Charlie) specialized in portraits. Abstract painting is common in New Zealand. This is a Maori wood sculpture:
Pre-European Māori visual art has two main types: carving and weaving. Both recorded stories, legends and religious roles. The european brought your artistic traditions, landscape painting mainly, althougt some of the nineteenth century Pakeha artists (Goldie and Gottfried Lindauer Charlie) specialized in portraits. Abstract painting is common in New Zealand. This is a Maori wood sculpture:
The government with its magnificent libraries have always encouraged literature and reading and New Zealand's Janet Frame won a Nobel Prize. Katherine Mansfield (1888-1923) dedicated his work to the production of short stories in English. Prominent writers of the twentieth century are John Mulgan (Man Alone), Robin Hyde (The Godwits Fly), Maurice Shadbolt (Strangers and Journeys), and Janet Frame (Owls do Cry). Also films such as "Once Were Warriors" , "Whale Rider" and "The Piano" had a great response from the international audience.
CLOTHESAND FESTIVALDress is informal on most occasions. Althought it is a very postmodern to express the costumes. New Zelana held every year the festival of art-clothing. The call is open almost a year in advance and is thematic. This is un example of the costumes for the festival:
TRANSPORTATION
The transport network comprises 93,906 km New Zealand road . The cities and towns are linked by bus services, but private cars are the predominant mode of transport. Most of the railroad lines carrying passengers instead of cargo. New Zealand has seven international airports.
The transport network comprises 93,906 km New Zealand road . The cities and towns are linked by bus services, but private cars are the predominant mode of transport. Most of the railroad lines carrying passengers instead of cargo. New Zealand has seven international airports.
