New Zeeland

History Introduction
While New Zealand is a relatively young country, it has a rich and fascinating history, reflecting both our Maori
and European heritage. Amazing Maori historic sites and taonga (treasures), some dating back almost a
thousand years, are a contrast to many beautiful colonial buildings. A walk around any New Zealand city today
shows what a culturally diverse and fascinating country we have become.
First Arrivals
First Maori were the first inhabitants of Aotearoa/New Zealand (meaning Land of the Long White Cloud).
After arriving from their ancestral Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki, probably about 1000 years ago, they set up
a thriving society based on the iwi (tribe), which flourished for hundreds of years.

Arriving in Aotearoa
According to Maori, the first explorer to reach New Zealand was Kupe. Using the stars and ocean currents as
his navigational guides, he ventured across the Pacific on his waka hourua (voyaging canoe) from his ancestral
Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki. It is thought that Kupe made landfall at the Hokianga Harbour in Northland,
around 1000 years ago.
Where is Hawaiki?
You will not find Hawaiki on a map, but it is believed Maori came from an island or group of islands in
Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean. It is not known exactly which place, but there are distinct similarities
between the Maori language and culture, and others of Polynesia including the Cook Islands, Hawaii, and
Tahiti.
Going Fishing
Maori were expert hunters and fishermen. As mostly coastal dwellers, fishing was vitally important to them. It
also played a part in their mythology - the god, Maui, was believed to have fished up the North Island. Maori
wove fishing nets from harakeke (flax), and carved fishhooks from bone and stone. Maori considered whales as
kaitiaki (guardians), and used their flesh for food and their hard, strong bones for weapons. A Maori tradition
that remains today is to throw back the first fish caught. This is a way of thanking Tangaroa, god of the sea, for
his bounty.
Colonial Wave
With the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, New Zealand became a British colony. This saw a great
increase in the number of British migrants coming to New Zealand. Many had their passage paid for by colonial
companies. The systematic colonial settlement of New Zealand was largely based on the ideas of Edward
Gibbon Wakefield, who believed the colonial settlements should be modelled on the structures of British
society. Many New Zealand cities and towns were established and populated in this way. These settlements
were intended to be civilised and self-sufficient, with small farmers cultivating their land, and living in peace
with the native people.
Colonial Ties
Throughout the 19th and much of the 20th century, the homeland of Britain had an enormous influence on
New Zealand. Government administration, education, and culture were largely built on British models. New
Zealand troops fought, and suffered severe casualties in the Boer War and the two World Wars. As Prime
Minister Michael Savage said about England in 1939, where she goes, we go, where she stands, we stand.
Towards a Republic?
While New Zealand is still heavily influenced by its colonial heritage, the country now has its own strong sense
of identity. While still a member of the British Commonwealth, and maintaining close, friendly relations with
the USA, New Zealand now has a far more independent trading and foreign policy. Since the mid 1980s, New
Zealand has been a nuclear free zone, with its armed forces primarily focused on peacekeeping in the Pacific

region. Today, even conservative politicians talk openly about New Zealand eventually becoming a republic -
something unheard of until quite recently.
Climate
Climate - Land of the Long White Cloud
Since the Maori people named New Zealand Land of the Long White Cloud, climate has been of paramount
importance to the people of New Zealand - many of whom make their living from the land. New Zealand has
mild temperatures, moderately high rainfall, and many hours of sunshine throughout most of the country. Its
climate is dominated by two main geographical features - the mountains and the sea.
Four Seasons in One Day
New Zealand does not have a large temperature range, lacking the extremes one finds in most continental
climates. However, the weather can change unexpectedly - as cold fronts or tropical cyclones quickly blow in.
Because of this, you should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature if youre going hiking
or doing other outdoor activities.

Culture
New Zealand has a unique and dynamic culture. The culture of its indigenous Maori people affects the
language, the arts, and even the accents of all New Zealanders. Their place in the South Pacific, and their love
of the outdoors, sport, and the arts make New Zealanders and their culture unique in the world.
People
Today, New Zealanders are largely sophisticated and highly educated urban dwellers. Members of a unique and
vibrant multicultural society, New Zealanders are embracing 21st century technology and culture in record
numbers. But New Zealanders also have a background of quiet but rugged individualism, self-reliance, and a
genius for invention qualities still evident in the population today.
Unique in the World
New Zealand has a diverse population but with some uniting features that make it unique in the world. Our
relatively isolated South Pacific location and rugged landscapes still makes many New Zealanders quiet and
independent, yet resourceful and self-reliant, with a famous Kiwi ingenuity.
New New Zealanders
In the 1970s, large numbers of Pacific Island immigrants settled in New Zealand, followed in the 80s and 90s
by Asians, Europeans, and many others. These new arrivals contributed, along with technological and economic
changes, to a totally new national identity. In the last twenty years or so, New Zealanders have embraced the
global economy and the latest technology. Per head of population, New Zealanders are some of the highest
mobile phone and Internet users in the world. They also read the most newspapers.
Taming the Land
Despite recent changes, New Zealand still has a sizeable rural population and farming is a major export earner.
While the traditional exports of wool, meat, and dairy products are still very strong, new products, including
Cervena (New Zealand venison), flowers, fruit, biotechnology, and wine are now also contributing greatly to
our exports. Like the rest of the population, the farming sector have diversified and embraced technology,
making New Zealand one of the most productive and efficient agricultural producers in the world.
Nature
Natural Environment
With vast open spaces filled with stunning rugged landscapes, gorgeous beaches, often spectacular geothermal
and volcanic activity, a temperate climate and fascinating animal and plant life, and it is no surprise that New
Zealands pure natural environment is so attractive to visitors from other countries. And the great advantage of
New Zealand is there are many different landscapes, environments, and ecosystems so close to each other.
New Zealands Awesome Landscape
Youll find a variety of awesome landscapes in New Zealand, all within easy reach of each other. Spectacular
glaciers, picturesque fiords, rugged mountains, vast plains, rolling hillsides, subtropical forest, volcanic plateau,
miles of coastline with gorgeous sandy beaches its all here. No wonder New Zealand is becoming so
popular as a location for movies!