New Zealand - An Introduction

New Zealand is a beautiful island country situated in the south-western Pacific Ocean. It is known as Aotearoa in the indigenous Maori language meaning Land of the Long White Cloud. It comprises two landmasses called North Island and South Island. There are several smaller islands in the region, the most famous of them being Stewart Island and Chatam Islands.

New Zealand is a developed country and ranks highly in international comparisons on human development, literacy, quality of life, life expectancy, public education, economic freedom, peace and prosperity, ease of doing business, press freedom, lack of corruption,  and the protection of civil liberties and political rights. It is also ranked as one of the world's most livable cities.

Timeline

• 1350 Supposed year of the 'Great Migration' in which a large fleet of Maori arrived in NZ from Hawaiki.
  
  
• 1769 Captain James Cook lands at Gisborne and claims New Zealand for Britain.
  
  
• 1772 Marion du Fresne lands in the Bay of Islands and, yet again, claims the country for France, calling it France Australe (South France)
  
  
• 1837 The colonization of New Zealand Begins.
  
  
• 1840 The Treaty of Waitangi is signed on February 6th.
  
  
• 1841 New Zealand officially declared a crown colony.
  
  
• 1842 Settlement at Nelson formed. Auckland proclaimed capital city.
  
  
• 1846 The country is divided into two provinces.
  
  
• 1857 Potatau I becomes the first Maori King.
  
  
• 1860 Second of the Maori wars fought at Waireki.
  
  
• 1861 Truce arranged with Taranaki Maori. More gold discovered in Central Otago
  
  
• 1863 Waikato Wars rage until 1864.
  
  
• 1868 New Zealand becomes first country in the world to let its native people vote.
  
  
• 1876 Provinces abolished.
  
  
• 1893 NZ becomes first country in the world to give women the vote.
  
  
• 1907 New Zealand constituted as a Dominion.
  
  
• 1914 WWI - New Zealand troops land at Anzac Cove in Turkey to try and knock the Turkish out of the war.
  
  
• 1931 Napier earthquake hits, killing 255 people.
  
  
• 1950 British Empire Games held in Auckland.
  
  
• 1951 ANZUS Pact established between NZ, Australia and the US.
  
  
• 1953 Sherpa Tenzing and New Zealander Edmund Hilary conquer Mt Everest.
  
  
• 1974 Xth Commonwealth Games held in Christchurch.
  
  
• 1985 The world watches NZ as it refuses port entry to a US Nuclear Warship, breaking the ANZUS Pact, and establishing itself as the world's first Anti-Nuclear country.
  
  
• 1990 XIVth Commonwealth Games held in Auckland.
  
  
• 2000 New Zealand successfully defends the Amercica's Cup, making NZ the only country to do so outside of the US.

Fast Facts Capital: Wellington Largest City: Auckland Official Languages: English, Maori Currency: NZD (New Zealand Dollar) Time Zone: NZST7 (UTC+12) Calling Code: +64 Major Religion: Christianity National Bird: Kiwi

Transport

The bets ways of exploring New Zealand is through cycling, biking and driving. New Zealand's rail network is well managed and is a great way to experience New Zealand especially remote areas where roadways are not that great.

The North and South Islands are connected by modern ocean-going ferries that carry passengers and vehicles. Vehicular ferries operate on the Hokianga Harbour in Northland to historic Russell in the Bay of Islands. The ferries to Stewart Island carry passengers and light freight only.


Climate

New Zealand experiences mild temperatures, with moderate rainfall, and many hours of sunshine throughout most of the country. The climate is dominated by the mountains and the sea. Temperatures vary greatly in the southern and the northern hemispheres. While far north experiences subtropical weather during summer, parts of South Island can be as cold as —10°C in winter.

Season	Months	Climate
Summer	December-February	High temperature and sunshine
Autumn	March to May	Excellent weather conditions and cool climate
Winter	June to August	Cold weather and snow-covered mountains
Spring	September to November	Weather can range from being cold to frosty or warm and hot

Clothing

Summer: Rainproof jacket and coat
Winter: Warm garments

Time Zones

There are two time zones in New Zealand - New Zealand Standard Time (NZST)  and Chatham Islands. The New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) is used in the main islands and is 12 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) while Chatham Standard Time (CHAST) is 12 hours 45 minutes in advance of UTC.

Click on the links below for further information on studying in New Zealand:

Education System in New Zealand	New Zealand as a Higher Education Destination
Postgraduate Studies	Undergraduate Programs
Grading System	Scholarships
MBA in New Zealand	Why MBA in New Zealand
Universities	Student Visa
Tourism Courses	List of Exams in New Zealand
Application Process	Environmental Studies
Working in New Zealand	Education Bodies
Manners and Etiquette	Cost of Living
Student Accommodation	Eating and Shopping in New Zealand
Opening a Bank Account	Important Cities
Important Phone Numbers	Embassy Contacts
Things to pack

Check out this video to have more information on New Zealand