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New ZealandLoading...
OVERVIEW
The flag of New Zealand
The current flag of New Zealand was officially adopted on June 12, 1902. It consists of the British Blue Ensign ( the blue background), and a representation of the Southern Cross constellation, one that uses only four stars.
The Coat of Arms
European woman and Maori chieftain: These two figures represent the tie between the native Maori and the European settlers.
St. Edward’s crown: This crown was used in the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II and signifies that she still reigns as Queen of New Zealand.
The weighed lamb or fleece: Represents the farming industry.
The hammers: Represent the mining industry.
The stars: Are the stars of the Southern Cross. The most famous constellation in the Antipodes.
The bushel of wheat: Symbolises the agricultural industry.
The three ships: They represent the importance of sea trade for New Zealand.
The right and left sides of the shield: Represent the North and South Islands.
The plain strip down the centre: Symbolises the Cook Strait that divides the two islands.
The current flag of New Zealand was officially adopted on June 12, 1902. It consists of the British Blue Ensign ( the blue background), and a representation of the Southern Cross constellation, one that uses only four stars.
The Coat of Arms
European woman and Maori chieftain: These two figures represent the tie between the native Maori and the European settlers.
St. Edward’s crown: This crown was used in the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II and signifies that she still reigns as Queen of New Zealand.
The weighed lamb or fleece: Represents the farming industry.
The hammers: Represent the mining industry.
The stars: Are the stars of the Southern Cross. The most famous constellation in the Antipodes.
The bushel of wheat: Symbolises the agricultural industry.
The three ships: They represent the importance of sea trade for New Zealand.
The right and left sides of the shield: Represent the North and South Islands.
The plain strip down the centre: Symbolises the Cook Strait that divides the two islands.
Biggest city: Auckland
National animal Kiwi – often used as a nickname for New Zealanders
National plant and flower Silver fern and Kōwhai
The word kōwhai is also used in the Māori language for the colour yellow, because of the colour of the flowers.
The word kōwhai is also used in the Māori language for the colour yellow, because of the colour of the flowers.
National anthems
“God defend New Zealand”
“God save the Queen”
Both are official, but mostly “God defend New Zealand” is used as the national anthem.
Official languages English, Maori and the sign language
Currency New Zealand dollar ( NZD)
Capital city Wellington
National colours Black, red ochre and white / silver
“God defend New Zealand”
“God save the Queen”
Both are official, but mostly “God defend New Zealand” is used as the national anthem.
Official languages English, Maori and the sign language
Currency New Zealand dollar ( NZD)
Capital city Wellington
National colours Black, red ochre and white / silver
Current Prime Minister: Jacinda Ardern
Monarch: Elisabeth II
GEOGRAPHY
New Zealand lies 1,600 km from Australia and Polynesia. It consists of the North Island, South Island (in the middle there is Cooks Channel) and Stewart Island (Rakiura), lying south of the South Island. New Zealand lies on a touchpoint of the Pacific and Indo-Australian plate, where the South Alps and volcanoes appeared on the North Island. All little islands around the two biggest islands have hills and they are very randomly formed. The mountains of New Zealand contain many volcanoes, geysers and holes with sources of very hot gas. Some volcanoes are: Ruapehu, Tongariru, Ngauruhoe, Mount Agmont. The highest peak of the Southern Alps and also the highest peak of New Zealand is Mount Cook (3764 meters above sea level). The mountains on the South Island are shaped by glaciers. The biggest glacier is the Tasmanian glacier (27 meters long). In the western parts of the island (Westland) there are many rivers which flow from the mountains on the west coast. The higher parts of the island are made of flint and have many grass on them. On the lower mountains there is a lot of sand and clay. There is an old mountain which spreads through the whole island, it is built out of paleozoic, metamorphic stone and also from triatic, jurassic sedimens. In the south - east there are fiords and because of them there is a national park called Fiordland. There are many mountains, volcanic activity and earthquakes because New Zealand is in a part of the Pacific called “Ring of Fire”.
All locations on New Zealand are 130 km from the sea. Its long coastline has a range from 15,000 to 18,000 km. When it was separated from other land masses (100 million years ago), ancient plants and animals survived and evolved into unique species. New Zealand's landscape is very unique. There are: mountains, beaches, rainforests, glaciers and active volcanoes. But, because of Maori and European settlers new plants and species were introduced. This began to overpower the natural species of New Zealand. In New Zealand there is a hill (305 m) with one of the longest names in the world, called Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauo
tamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu.
In the northern parts of the North Island there is a tropic climate with gentle winters and warm summers and rainfalls about 1200 mm a year. All other parts of New Zealand have moderately warm ocean climate. In the south-east there is subantarctic climate. In the western parts of the South Island there are many rainfalls with cloudy and rainy weather. But, in the eastern parts of the South Island the sun shines almost all day.
tamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu.
In the northern parts of the North Island there is a tropic climate with gentle winters and warm summers and rainfalls about 1200 mm a year. All other parts of New Zealand have moderately warm ocean climate. In the south-east there is subantarctic climate. In the western parts of the South Island there are many rainfalls with cloudy and rainy weather. But, in the eastern parts of the South Island the sun shines almost all day.
CLIMATE
The climate of New Zealand is diverse because of the country's diverse landscape. Most regions of New Zealand belong to the temperate zone with a mild climate. Conditions vary from extremely wet on the West Coast of the South Island to almost semi-arid in Central Otago and subtropical in Northland.
Sunshine
Most places in New Zealand have over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, with the sunniest areas - Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Nelson/Marlborough.
Rain
New Zealand's average rainfall is high and evenly spread throughout the year. In the northern and central areas of New Zealand more rain falls in winter than in summer, whereas in the southern part of New Zealand, winter is the season of least rainfall.
Snow
Snow typically falls during the months of June through October. Most snow in New Zealand falls in the mountainous areas, like the Central Plateau in the north, and the Southern Alps in the south. It also falls heavily in inland Canterbury and Otago.
Sunshine
Most places in New Zealand have over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, with the sunniest areas - Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay and Nelson/Marlborough.
Rain
New Zealand's average rainfall is high and evenly spread throughout the year. In the northern and central areas of New Zealand more rain falls in winter than in summer, whereas in the southern part of New Zealand, winter is the season of least rainfall.
Snow
Snow typically falls during the months of June through October. Most snow in New Zealand falls in the mountainous areas, like the Central Plateau in the north, and the Southern Alps in the south. It also falls heavily in inland Canterbury and Otago.
