NZ was first discovered for more than 1000 years ago by the Maoris. The Maoris was a Polynesian tribe who migrated from the central pacific islands. They developed a separate Maori culture with leaders similar to a royal family. They named their new land Aotearoa – “The Land of the Long White Cloud”. In 1642 the Dutch navigator, Abel Tasman, saw the land and called it New Zealand. It was only in 1769 that NZ was explored by the Brit, James Cook, which later resulted in British Sovereignty in 1840, February 6th, which is now a national holiday.
Unlike the Europeans that invaded the Australian Aborigines, the British recognized the Maoris as the owners of New Zealand. The Treaty of Waitangi was first breached later, and conflict arose in the 1860’s and 70’s.
Although the New Zealand policy towards the Maori no longer is discriminating, racial bias can still be found, and many Maoris are poor and uneducated.
NZ is located 110 km outside the coast of Australia, and is similar to Britain, Italy or Japan in size.
There are 3 million people in New Zealand, 86 percent of which lives in cities. The four biggest cities are: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
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