Maturita Card 24: New Zealand

zz What basic facts do you know about New own civilization based around tribal communities.
Zealand? The Dutchman Abel Tasman was the first European
New Zealand is an island nation located / found in to reach the island. The British explorer James Cook
the South Pacific. The country / island is quite isolated. visited the island in the second half of the 18th century.
It lies / is situated 2,000 km from Australia. About In the late 18th century whalers and sealers from Britain,
4 million people live there. The Maori name for New France and the USA would visit the island and trade with
Zealand is Aotearoa, which is commonly translated as the Maoris. In the early 19th century a series of inter-tribal
“land of the long white cloud”. English and Maori are conflicts left many Maori dead. These battles were called
both the official languages of New Zealand. the Musket Wars because the Maori went to war with
newly acquired muskets. In 1840, Maori chiefs and British
zz What do you know about the country’s officials signed the Treaty of Waitangi. From the British
geography? point of view it gave sovereignty to the British Crown.
New Zealand is comprised / made up / consists of This is still disputed by Maori people today. New Zealand
two main islands and several small islands. The North became the first country in the world to give women
Island has a sub-tropical climate, which means that the vote, in 1893. In 1907, New Zealand gained
there are warm to hot summers and cool mild winters. dominion status, so it was no longer a colony of
Summer lasts from December to February and Britain. New Zealand participated in both World Wars.
winter from June to August. Most of the rain falls in
winter. The North Island has a lot of volcanic activity. zz What do you know about New Zealand’s
There are volcanoes, hot mud springs and hot water wildlife?
springs. The South Island is much more mountainous. New Zealand has many species that are unique to the
The Southern Alps run through the middle. This islands. / For millions of years New Zealand has been
mountain range includes New Zealand’s highest peak isolated and unique birds, animals and plants have
/ mountain Mount Cook (Aoraki), which is 3,754 m developed there. The most well-known are flightless
high. The South Island is larger than the North Island birds such as the kiwi. This bird is the symbol of
but has only one quarter of the country’s population. the country. The kakapo is another unique flightless
/ Most of New Zealand’s population live on the North bird. It is the only type of parrot which is unable to
Island. The South Island is much colder and snow and fly. The tuatara lives only in New Zealand. It looks like
glaciers are found in the mountain ranges. The country a lizard but is actually separate type of reptile. This
suffers a lot from earthquakes. animal is born with a partial third eye which is covered
over by scales after about six months after birth.
zz What do you know about New Zealand’s cities?
The North Island boasts two of the country’s most zz Who are famous people connected with New
important cities: Auckland in the north and Wellington Zealand?
in the south. Wellington is the country’s political capital The Flight of the Conchords is a musical comedy
and the third largest city by population. The parliament duo. Actors Russell Crowe and Sam Neill come from
of New Zealand is found / located here. Auckland is New Zealand. Lucy Lawless is the actress who played
New Zealand’s largest city. It has about 1.4 million Xena. Peter Jackson is a famous director who made
people, almost 30% of the country’s population. It is The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Jane Campion is a critically
the economic centre of New Zealand. Christchurch is acclaimed director of films like The Piano and Bright
the second largest city in New Zealand and the largest Star. Edmund Hillary was a mountaineer who was the
on the South Island. Dunedin is the second largest city first to climb Mount Everest.
on the South Island. It is a university town, with almost
zz What are popular sports and pastimes in New
a fifth of people being students or staff.
Zealand?
zz What do you know about New Zealand politics? Rugby Union is the most popular sport. New Zealand
New Zealand is a part of the British Commonwealth. is one of the top rugby nations in the world. Cricket is
It is a constitutional monarchy and the head of state a popular summer sport. New Zealanders also play netball,
is the monarch of the United Kingdom. His / her basketball and tennis. The country is also a very strong
representative is the Governor General. The head of sailing nation and has won the America’s Cup twice.
government is the prime minister. The New Zealand
zz Why would you like to visit New Zealand?
parliament is unicameral / single-chambered.
I’d like to visit / go to New Zealand because... it has
zz What do you know about New Zealand’s history? very beautiful nature / wilderness areas... the people
Maori first settled in New Zealand in the 13th century. are very friendly... it is a great place for extreme
Before that, there was no human settlement. sports... it is said to be the "Adventure Capital of
The Maori came by canoes and soon established their the World"... I’m interested in Maori culture.
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img 05 Wellington img 06 Mount Cook
(Aoraki)

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Christchurch

Auckland
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Sam Neill

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Jane Campion