New Zealand

Leissa Bianca, Romero Padilla Micaela, Utrera Paola

New Zealand is located in the south-west of the Pacific Ocean. It is formed by two main Islands,
which are North Island and South Island. New Zealands capital city is Wellington. The country
was named by Abel Tasman as New Zeeland (new land of sea).

History
The Maori were the first ones to come to New Zealand. The country officially became a British
colony in 1840, but the first contact between the Maori and the foreign world took place in
1642 in the Golden Bay which is in the North of the South Island.

The contact between the Maori and Europeans was restored in 1769 by the arrival of English
and French explorers supervised by James Cook of Surville. The relationship gained in warmth
and exploration continued to be dominated by scientific profits and a great struggle for power
between them. Most of the wars happened between Maories tribes, as the terrible Wars of the
Muskets of 1818-1836.

In 1893, New Zealand turned into the first country of the world in granting the female vote and
in 1898 they introduced the pensions for the people who lived there. [1]

The New Zealands flag is the symbol of the United Kingdom, government and people of the
country. The dark black blue background characterizes the blue sea and the clear sky
surrounding them. The constellation of the Southern Cross emphasizes the location of this
country in the Pacific Ocean. The flag of the United Kingdom in the first canton recognizes the
historical origins of New Zealand as a British colony.

Culture
With a history that combines Maori, European, Asian and Pacific Islander cultures, New
Zealand has become a mixed population with characteristics that make it unique in the world.
[2]

This culture adopted many aspects of Western culture as their own and a growing number of
New Zealanders share the richness of Maori heritage. This culture has several rites besides the
haka, which is one of the most important dance, the traditional facial tattoo, Tamoko for which
the Maories are distinguished. They also have a Hongi Greeting, it is made by pressing ones
nose and forehead at the same time with another person. [3]
Geography
New Zealand has glaciers, rugged mountains, vast plains, subtropical forest, volcanoes and
miles of coast with wonderful beaches. The North Island has a backbone formed by
mountainous chains in the center with arable lands to both sides. New Zealand is a land of
great contrasts and diversity. Active volcanoes, spectacular caves, deep glacier lakes, verdant
valleys, dazzling fjords, long sandy beaches, and the spectacular snowcapped peaks of
the Southern Alps on the South Islandall contribute to New Zealands scenic beauty. New
Zealand also has a unique array of vegetation and animal life, much of which developed during
the countrys prolonged isolation. [4]

During the summer, the country reaches the maximum temperature, it is between 20 and 30C.
Meanwhile in winter the minimum varies between 10 and 15C. [5]

Economy
New Zealand enjoys a stable economy and it is recognized as one of most remarkable countries
in the world to do business. This countrys economy depends to a large extent on trade with
larger countries such as Australia, China, the United States and Japan. What is more, its
economy is mainly based on tourism and primary industries such as agriculture and the main
export products are dairy goods, meat, wool and wood products.

Education
The education system in this country is three-level model which includes primary and
intermediate schools followed by secondary schools or high schools and tertiary education at
universities and polytechnics. The academic year in New Zealand varies between institutions,
but generally runs from early February until mid-December for primary schools and January to
November for secondary schools.

State schools are funded and operated. Also, the most important aspect is that education is
free for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents. Although students and parents are not
expected to pay for uniforms, textbooks and school trips as schools ask for donations to
supplement their government funding.

State - integrated school are former private schools which have chosen to integrate into the
state education system. They were stablished in 1975 after the collapse of the private catholic
school system which had run into financial difficulties to the state school system. In addition to
this, typical attendance is between 240 pounds to 740 pounds per year for Catholic schools.

Private schools received a small amount of government funding, but nearly all of them rely on
tuition fees paid by students parents to operate. [7]
References
1. https://www.lonelyplanet.es/destino-oceania-nueva-zelanda-82-historia.html
Lonely Planet- History of New Zealand.
2. http://www.newzealand.com/mx/feature/new-zealand-people/
100% Pure New Zealand- New Zealands people.
3. http://www.whitewolfpack.com/2013/08/maori-elders-explain-meaning-of-
hongi.html
White Wolf Pack- Hongui Greeting.
4. https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Zealand
EncyclopediaBritannica- New Zealand.
5. http://www.newzealand.com/in/feature/new-zealand-climate-and-weather/
100% Pure New Zealand- Climate and Weather.
6. http://www.lae-edu.com/destino/nueva-zelanda/economia-vida

LAE. International Education- New Zealand Economy.

7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_New_Zealand
Wikipedia- Education of New Zealand