1、New Zealand IntroductionNational Flag of New Zealand: the Union Jack and the stars of the Southern Cross 南十字星座南十字星座GeographyIntroduction Official name New Zealand (Another name is “Aotearoa”,meaning “land of the long white cloud”) Capital Wellington Area 270,534 sq km (The size of the country is sim
2、ilar to Britain Isles or Japan.)It has two main islands: North Island and South Island.And theyre separated by Cook Strait.There is about 2000 km long from north to south.The South Island is the largest land mass of New Zealand, and is divided along its length by the Southern Alps. There are 18 peak
3、s over 3,000 metres (9,800 ft), the highest of which is Aoraki / Mount Cook at 3,754 metres (12,316 ft). Mt Cook库克山:the highest peak, 3,754 meters highThe North Island is less mountainous but is marked by volcanism. The highly active Taupo Volcanic Zone has formed a large volcanic plateau, punctuate
4、d by the North Islands highest mountain, Mount Ruapehu (2,797 meters ). The plateau also hosts the countrys largest lake, Lake Taupo, nestled in the caldera of one of the worlds most active super volcanoes.Mount Ruapehu, the highest active volcano in New Zealand Lake Taupo sits in central North Isla
5、nd. It covers 606 sq km; it is 40 km long and 27 km wide. In the surrounding area are numerous geysers and hot springs.The Clutha : the largest river, 336 km long in the South Island. Lady Knox Geyser: The north central region of New Zealands North Island is an area of active volcanism. In addition
6、to three active volcanoes, there are geysers, like the Lady Knox Geyser, mud pools, and hot springs.Famous Cities:Wellington, the capital of the New Zealand.Auckland, the largest and most populous urban area in the country. Animals and plantsA rich variety of trees, treeferns, ground ferns, mosses a
7、nd other plants make up “the bush”, as New Zealanders call their forests. Besides, New Zealand has 250 species of birds including the kiwiTree Fern: New Zealands impressive tree fern can grow to a towering height of 15 meters. With more than 150 fern species growing in New Zealand, the plant has bec
8、ome a national symbol.Kiwi FruitHistory3 periodsBefore 1840The first people to settle New Zealand were the ancestors of the Maori 毛利人, who are thought to have called the islands Aotearoa (“Land of the Long White Cloud”). Who is Maori?The Maori were part of the spread of Polynesian peoples 玻利尼西亚人 acr
9、oss the far-flung islands of the Pacific Ocean between 1,000 and 3,000 years ago. The European history begins in the 17th century. Abel Tasman: a Dutch navigator, the first European to visit New Zealand in 1642Captain James Cook: the first Englishman to visit New Zealand in 1769The Treaty of Waitang
10、i 1840The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on 6th February, 1840.In the Treaty, Great Britain formally proclaimed sovereignty over the island and agreed to respect the landownership rights of the Maori, who placed themselves under the protection of the British government. February 6th is now celebrated
11、 as New Zealands National DayWaitangi Day 威坦哲日, 怀唐伊日。Waitangi DayAfter 1840The European population of New Zealand grew from about 1,000 in the 1830s to nearly 60,000 in 1858, and then rocketed to 500,000 by the early 1880s. More women worked outside home, and equal pay is introduced in 1972. Inflati
12、on and unemployment grew in 1970s and government spending on social welfare increased with the introduction of National Superannunation in 1976.In the mid-1980s, New Zealand declared its antinuclear policy and became a nuclear free zone. This policy led to Americas suspension of the ANZUS security g
13、uarantees to New Zealand in 1986. Waitangi National Maori Reserve: This site on the Northland peninsula is considered the birthplace of modern New Zealand. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed here between the Maori and the United Kingdom on 6 February 1840. The restored Waitangi Treaty HouseReligionsN
14、ew Zealand government advocates liberty of belief.Nearly 66% believe in Protestant and Catholic Christianity9% do not have belief25% other beliefs Government and Politics Form of governmentParliamentary democracyHead of stateGovernor-general, representing the British monarchHead of governmentPrime m
15、inisterLegislatureUnicameral legislatureHouse of Representatives: 120 members (for three years) The GovernmentPolitical PartiesTwo-party system: the National Party and the Labor Party First-level political divisions12 regions and 4 unitary authoritiesHelen Clark In 1999 Helen Clark, leader of the La
16、bor Party, became the first female prime minister in New Zealand. She won her third election in September, 2005 (three years for one term).Voted for Change: John Key celebrates National Partys victory during New Zealand General election in Auckland, Nov. 8, 2008. John KeyEconomy The economy of New Z
17、ealand largely relies on overseas trade because it lacks many mineral resources and has only discovered small reserves of oil. It needs to import minerals to keep its economy running. Other imports include manufactured goods, heavy machinery, petroleum, chemicals, iron and steel, plastic materials a
18、nd textiles. In recent years New Zealand has developed its agriculture and manufacturing industries to suit the needs of the international markets. It is one of the worlds largest exporters of meat, dairy products and wool. Industries such as forestry, horticulture, fishing, manufacturing, and touri
19、sm have also become increasingly significant.CultureCulturevNew Zealands culture is rich and diverse due to the blending of Polynesian and European cultures. The influence of Maori, Pacific Island, European and Asian cultures makes New Zealand a colourful and vibrant place with many different custom
20、s and food to enjoy. MAORI CULTURE The Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, they are Polynesian and comprise about 14 percent of the countrys population. Maori and Pakeha alike may study Maori language. Maori is the second official language, and it is recognized in parliament and in court
21、s of law.Maoritanga Maoritanga means Maori culture, the Maori way of life and view of the world. Traditional Maori culture is expressed in song, dance, oratory, woodcarving, weaving, and architecture. In the 1980s they initiated a revival of their language and other traditions. By that time many Mao
22、ri had assimilated into the predominant European culture. The majority of Maori had become urban dwellers, and most younger Maori did not know the Maori language. Today Maori culture thrives in both traditional and reinvented traditionsEducation Primary and secondary schooling is compulsory for chil
23、dren aged 6 to 16, with the majority attending from the age of 5. There are 13 school years and attending public schools is free. Three types of schoolsState schoolsPrivate schoolsState integrated schoolsThere are five types of government-owned tertiary institutions: Universities Colleges of educati
24、on Polytechnics Specialist colleges Private training establishmentsTraditions & Celebrations New Years Day Jan 1 Day after New Years Day Jan 2 Waitangi Day Feb 6 Good Friday Apr 2 Easter day Apr 4 ANZAC Day -Apr 25 Queens Birthday -the 1st Monday in Jun Labour Day - the 4th Monday in Oct Christmas D
25、ay - Dec 25 Boxing Day -Dec 26MediaNewspapers 140( kinds ) a. Daily newspapers 29 New Zealand Herald (best-sell daily ) New Zealand Chinese Herald Dominion Evening Post Straits Times Auckland Star Magazines 4700+sports Rugby a. All Blacks b. Rugby World Cup (2011) X-sports &adventure sports Edmund Percival Hillary (the 1st person climbed on Qomolangma )
