New Zealand is a country in the south-western Pacific Ocean consisting of two large islands (the North Island and South Island) and many much smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. It is called Aotearoa in Maori, which translates as the Land of the Long White Cloud, but this name, while in common usage, has no legal recognition. New Zealand closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga.

Until the arrival of humans, 80% of the land was forested and, barring three species of bat (one now extinct), there were no non-marine mammals. Instead, New Zealand's forests were inhabited by a diverse range of birds including the flightless moa (now extinct), and the kiwi, kakapo, and takahe, all endangered due to human actions. Unique birds capable of flight include the Haast's eagle, which was the world's largest bird of prey (now extinct), and the large kaka and kea parrots. Reptiles present in New Zealand include skinks, geckos and tuatara. There are four endemic species of New Zealand primitive frogs. There are no snakes but there are many species of insects, including the weta, one species of which may grow as large as a house mouse and is the heaviest insect in the world.

The climate throughout the country is mild, mostly cool temperate to warm temperate, with temperatures rarely falling below 0°C (32°F) or rising above 30°C (86°F). Conditions vary from wet and cold on the West Coast of the South Island to dry and continental in the Mackenzie Basin of inland Canterbury and subtropical in Northland. Of the main cities, Christchurch is the driest, receiving only some 640 mm (25 in) of rain per year. Auckland, the wettest, receives a little less than three times that amount.

Christianity is the predominant religion in New Zealand, although nearly 40% of the population has no religious affiliation. The main Christian denominations are Anglicanism, Roman Catholicism, Presbyterianism and Methodism. There are also significant numbers who identify themselves with Pentecostal and Baptist churches and with the LDS (Mormon) church. The New Zealand-based Ratana church has many adherents among Maori. According to census figures, other significant minority religions include Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism and Islam (see Desi).

Contemporary New Zealand has a diverse culture with influences from English, Scottish, Irish, and Maori cultures, along with those of other European cultures and - more recently - Polynesian (including Samoan, Tongan, Niuean, Cook Islands Maori, Tahitian, and Hawaiian), southern Asian (Indian), southeast Asian (Filipino, Malaysian, Cambodian, and Vietnamese), and east Asian (Chinese, Korean, and Japanese) cultures.

There are two types of public holidays in New Zealand:

1. Statutory Holidays, which are legislated by law;
2. Provincial Anniversary Days, which commemorate the founding of the province or an early settlement event.

Under current legislation, workers who work on a public holiday must be given equivalent time off on another day, and be paid time-and-a-half.

New Zealand is a unique land of breathtaking scenery and tourism is on the rise. Visited are drawn by the country's craggy coastlines, sweeping golden beaches, verdant forests, snow-capped alpine mountains, gurgling volcanic pools, flashing fish-filled rivers and glacier-fed lakes, all beneath a brilliant blue sky.

New Zealand is spread over three relatively small islands with modern and efficient transport, quiet roads, plenty of flights and two stunningly scenic rail journeys.

Other pluses are friendly, English-speaking people, a low crime rate, and a trio of rich cultural influences – adventurous Polynesian navigators (Maori), pioneering European settlers who followed a thousand years later, and modern Pacific Rim immigrants.

Enjoy the chance to explore two of the richest New-World wine regions on the planet, taste wonderful cuisine, stroll on moody beaches, tramp through the national parks or over alpine passes.

The county is also perfect for every kind of outdoor activity and not surprisingly, some of the world's most cutting-edge adventure activities originated in New Zealand. Try bungee jumping, caving or whitewater rafting.

If that is not your bag, immerse yourself in culture in the museums and galleries of New Zealand’s main cities – Auckland, Christchurch and the capital Wellington.

New Zealand’s time as an original, fully fledged tourist haven has come and the country’s isolation, once a bane, is now a boon.

New Zealand is the world’s best kept secret; it contains six of the seven climatic regions on the planet, boasts a series of unparalleled golden-sand beaches, protected marine parks to explore from on or beneath the surface, safe-but-active volcanic areas, pristine snow-capped Alps to ski and climb, prehistoric forests and unique flora and fauna.

New Zealand New Zealand is a country where the only stress is that taken on willfully by the adventure-minded tourist (in the form of bungy jumping, parachuting, white-water rafting etc). You can walk for miles in New Zealand without seeing another soul, accompanied by rustling trees, running water and unusual bird song but perhaps the country’s greatest asset is its warm, friendly and hospitable population.

NEW ZEALAND National Bird : Kiwi
NEW ZEALAND National Flower : Kowhai Sophora microphylla
NEW ZEALAND National Game : Rugby Union
National Capital : Wellington
New Zealand Area : Approx. 270,467n Sq Km (104,428 Sq. Mi), 0.18% of total
New Zealand Population : 4,383,800 in 2010 (0.06% in total)
Ethnicity in New Zealand : European 69.8%, Maori 7.9%, Pacific Islander 4.4%, Asian 5.7%, other 0.5%, mixed 7.8%, unspecified 3.8% (2001)
New Zealand Languages : English (official), Maori (official).
Religions in New Zealand: Anglican 15%, Roman Catholic 12%, Presbyterian 11%, Methodist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Baptist 1%, other Christian 9%, none 26% (2001)
Currency : New Zealand Dollar ,NZD
Time Zone :
UTC-11 - Niue
UTC-10 - Cook Islands and Tokelau
UTC+12 - main territory of New Zealand
UTC+12:45 - Chatham Islands

Popular Cities in New Zealand

Wellington

Auckland

Hamilton

Christchurch

Queenstown

Dunedin

Rotorua

Nelson

Napier

Tauranga

Paihia

Te Anau