 NEW ZEALAND |
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New Zealand was settled by Polynesians sometime around 1300 a.d. The first European to come to New Zealand was Dutchman Abel van Tasman who sailed to New Zealand from Australia in 1642. In 1769 Captain Cook claimed New Zealand for Britain. Many of the sealers and whalers who came to New Zealand to seek game stayed and became the first European settlers. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on 6 February 1840 by Captain William Hobson, several English residents and approximately forty-five Mäori chiefs. The Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti O Waitangi) lays the foundation for the way Mäori and other New Zealanders share responsibility for this country and is considered the founding document of the nation of New Zealand. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. ... Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia - note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands - Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts - Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains - highest point: Mount Cook 3,764 m - Natural resources: natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone - about 80% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world - Population: 3,864,129 - Ethnic groups: New Zealand European 74.5%, Maori 9.7%, other European 4.6%, Pacific Islander 3.8%, Asian and others 7.4% - Religions: Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist - Languages: English (official), Maori (official)
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