history of new zealand

NEW ZEALAND

The Maoris were the first inhabitants of New

Zealand, arriving on the islands around 950 CE.

The word 'Maori' means 'the original people'.

Legend says that the Maoris came in seven canoes

from the eastern parts of Polynesia.

They called New Zealand Aotearoa which means,

'the land of the long white clouds'.

The Dutch sea captain Abel Tasman discovered New

Zealand in the late seventeenth century.

But it was only in 1769 that Captain James Cook of the

British Navy explored several islands of New Zealand.

The British proclaimed their sovereignty over the islands in

1840. There was a series of land wars between the Maoris

and the British between 1843 and 1872.

The British colony of New Zealand finally became an

independent dominion in 1907.

New Zealand lies in the South Pacific Ocean, between

34°S and 47°S latitudes and 166° E and 178°E

longitudes. The country covers a total area of 268,680 sq

km, approximately.

North islandSouth island

SEPARATED BY COOK STRAIT

MOUNTAIN RANGES

ROLLING GRASSLAND

LUSH FORESTS

SANDY BEACHES

PHYSICAL FEATURES

The North Island, which was formed as a result of volcanic

activity under the sea, contains the world's maximum

concentration of active volcanoes.

The Taupo Volcanic Zone has been very active in the past

sixteen years. Mount Ruapehu is an active volcano of this

region.

The Auckland Volcanic Field is currently dormant but it

has been estimated to contain at least forty dormant volcanoes

that may erupt any time.

NORTH ISLAND

The North Island contains a number of mountain ranges and hills.

Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu are the

three highest peaks.

Lake Taupo, the largest lake of New Zealand, is a volcanic crater

lake. It gives rise to the Waikato River which is the longest in the

country.

The Waikato River has formed a large fertile plain in the north-

western part of North Island. This is called the Waikato plain. This

region is heavily populated.

In the North lies New Zealand's thermal region, around the

town of Rotorua.

This region is famous for hot springs.

It has fertile soil which is good for pastoral farming.

SOUTH ISLANDDominated by the Southern Alps, a long mountain

chain that runs

along the west coast of the island.

The highest peak of New Zealand, Mount Cook

(3,754 m), is located here.

These mountains, though not very high, have a

number of glaciers.

LATITUDENEARNESS TO

THE SEA

WINDSLOCATION OF MOUNTAIN

RANGES

CLIMATE

Situated in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand

experiences summer in December and winter in June.

The country experiences a cool temperate climate

WILD LIFE

WALLABIES

TUATARA- NATIVE OF NZ

WEASELS

BELL BIRD

TUI

Temperate climate and plentiful rainfall make

New Zealand ideal for farming.

The Canterbury Plains on the east coast of the

South Island is the most fertile region of the

country.

Farming is highly mechanised due to the

shortage of farm labour.

Pastoral farming is a major economic activity in New Zealand.

Merino sheep are raised here for their fine wool.

Sheep and cattle are also reared for their meat.

SHEEP REARING

Dairy farming is a very important occupation of the people of New

Zealand.

The important area is the Waikato Plain which is one of the most

productive grass growing areas of the world.

.

Co-operative societies are a special feature in New Zealand and the

dairymen are probably the most efficient producers of milk in the world.

Highly developed refrigeration facilities help in transporting dairy

products over long distances.

New Zealand earns a lot of foreign exchange by exporting butter,

cheese and milk powder.

MINERALS

WATER POWER

Eight dams have been constructed across the Waikato River in North

Island.

90% of the country's electricity requirements are fulfilled by HYDEL

POEWR

About 9% of the total electricity generated in New Zealand comes from

the geothermal plants situated in the volcanic plateau of North Island.

These plants utilise the heat energy of the hot springs and geysers. Hot

springs are produced by the emergence of heated groundwater from

the Earth's crust.

The Wairakei Geothermal Plant, which has been built beside the

Waikato River, lies on an active volcanic zone.

INDUSTRIES

AGRO BASED

MINERAL BASED

INDUSTRIES

AGRO BASED

FOOD , MILK, MEAT , WOOL,

PAPER, WOOD

MINERAL BASED

CHEMICAL, IRON AND STEEL , MACHINERY ,

AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRIES

TRA

DE

IMPORT, IRON AND STEEL ,

MACHINERY , AUTOMOBILE AND CONSUMER GOODS

EXPORT FOOD , MILK, MEAT , WOOL,

New Zealand has an excellent transport system. Roads and highways

connect the interiors of the country to the coastal areas.

Railways link all the main cities.

Water transport is very important. Ferries carry goods and

passengers between the two islands. Auckland and Wellington are the

busiest ports.

New Zealand is connected by air to all the important cities of the world.

Air New Zealand is the official airline of New Zealand.

TRANSPORT

PEOPLE

MAORIS

9%

ASIANS

3%

EUROPEANS

88%

ENGLISH IS AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

CITIES

AUCKLAND

OLD CAPITAL

WELLINGTON

NEW CAPITAL

CHRISTCHRUCH