New Zealand lies about 1,600 km from both Australia and Polynesia. Its three main islands are the North and South islands and Stewart Island, or Rakiura, located down south of the South Island. The South Island (150,437 sq km), often referred to as ‘the mainland’ by its inhabitants, is larger than the North Island (113,729 sq km). Stewart Island is 1,680 sq km. Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand and it’s also known as the arts and culture capital.

New Zealand is an archipelago with over 700 offshore islands. Most are small and lie within 50 km of the coast. The islands are the visible surface of an extensive submarine plateau, and enable the country to enjoy a huge exclusive economic zone (fishing grounds).

Discovery and migration

New Zealand has a shorter human history than any other country. The precise date of settlement is a matter of debate, but current understanding is that the first arrivals came from East Polynesia in the 13th century. It was not until 1642 that Europeans became aware the country existed.
The original Polynesian settlers discovered the country on deliberate voyages of exploration, navigating by ocean currents and the winds and stars. The navigator credited in some traditions with discovering New Zealand is Kupe. Some time later the first small groups arrived from Polynesia. Now known as Māori, these tribes did not identify themselves by a collective name until the arrival of Europeans when, to mark their distinction the name Māori, meaning ‘ordinary’, came into use.

New Zealand as a colony

In 1840 Britain made New Zealand initially a dependency of New South Wales, and at the end of that year it became a separate colony. As a colony, it adopted institutions of government and political practices from the ‘mother country’.
To rule the country the government of the United Kingdom appointed governors, advised by appointed executive and legislative councils, but accountable only to the Colonial Office in London.

Location

New Zealand is situated in the South Pacific Ocean, between latitudes 34’S and 47’S, about 2,000 km (1250 miles) southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and its closest neighbors to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. Its two main islands (North and South) cover 266,200 sq km (103,735 sq miles), about the size of Japan or California and slightly larger than Great Britain.

Land area

Total: 267,710 sq km
Land: 267,710 sq km

Climate
The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC and in winter between 10-15ºC.
Source of information:

Ministry for Culture and Heritage (NZ Govt) (http://www.teara.govt.nz)
New Zealand Tourism Board (http://www.newzealand.com) & World Fact Book

Population
The estimated resident population of New Zealand was 4 million at May 2011.

Source: Statistics New Zealand (http://www.stats.govt.nz)

Religion
In censuses, about half New Zealanders give Christianity as their religion. The largest denominations are Anglican, Catholic and Presbyterian. In all regions except Auckland and Otago–Southland, Anglicans are the largest denomination.

Recent immigrants have given other religions a stronger foothold. Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam have grown, but there are fewer than 50,000 adherents of each in New Zealand.

Māori religions

Two indigenous Māori religions draw on elements of Christianity. The larger, Rātana was founded by a 20th-century faith-healer and the other, Ringatū, by a 19th-century prophet.

Source of information:
Ministry for Culture and Heritage (NZ Govt) (http://www.teara.govt.nz)

Over the past 20 years the government has transformed New Zealand from an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market access to a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally.

This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes - but left behind some at the bottom of the ladder - and broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector. Per capita income rose for ten consecutive years until 2007 in purchasing power parity terms, but fell in 2008-09.

Debt-driven consumer spending drove robust growth in the first half of the decade, helping fuel a large balance of payments deficit that posed a challenge for economic managers. Inflationary pressures caused the central bank to raise its key rate steadily from January 2004 until it was among the highest in the OECD in 2007-08; international capital inflows attracted to the high rates further strengthened the currency and housing market, however, aggravating the current account deficit.

The economy fell into recession before the start of the global financial crisis and contracted for five consecutive quarters in 2008-09. In line with global peers, the central bank cut interest rates aggressively and the government developed fiscal stimulus measures.

The economy posted a 1.7% decline in 2009, but pulled out of recession late in the year, and achieved 2.1% growth in 2010. Nevertheless, key trade sectors remain vulnerable to weak external demand. The government plans to raise productivity growth and develop infrastructure, while reining in government spending.

GDP (Purchasing power parity): $119.2 billion (2010 est.)
GDP (Real growth rate): 2.1% (2010 est.)
GDP – per capita (PPP): $28,000 (2010 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6.5% (2010 est.)

Source: CIA The World Fact Book (May 17' 2011)

New Zealand corporate tax rate
The company tax rate will fall from 30% to 28% from the 2011/12 income year. In addition, the top tax rate for most portfolio investment entities (PIEs) will drop from 30% to 28% and other PIE rates will drop to align with the new personal tax rates.

Accessibility
Many destinations in New Zealand are just hours from each other. An extensive network of air, train and road services means most places can be reached by public transport.
If you want to relax and see as much as possible, buses and coaches link up with rail and ferry operators to take you the length of the country. Air travel is available to many destinations, and there are airport shuttles, taxis and even limousines to ferry you to your point of departure.
Visitors on a tight schedule may find that a fly/drive combination is the best travel solution or if you want the ultimate in relaxation, you can cruise from port to port in a luxury liner.

By Cruise
Cruise ships tend to arrive into New Zealand from Australia or the Pacific Islands, and expedition ships also tend to visit New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands. There are many options for you to cruise to New Zealand, whether it's coastal New Zealand, via Australia or the Pacific Islands or a round-the-world cruise.

By flights
New Zealand has a comprehensive network of international and domestic airports. While Auckland Airport serves the largest number of international arrivals and departures, airports in Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Queenstown also receive flights from other countries.
Domestic airports make every part of the country accessible, from Kaitaia Airport in the far north to Ryan’s Creek Aerodrome on Stewart Island. Airport facilities vary according to the size of the local population.

By Buses/Coaches
Daily scheduled passenger services are available throughout the country. There’s also a multitude of coach companies serving the main tourist routes.

Hop on & hop off traveler’s networks, where you buy a pass for unlimited travel, lets you move around New Zealand’s major destinations very effectively. In Auckland, there are buses that circulate around key attractions, allowing you unlimited travel for a fixed price.

If you’re travelling with a group, charter coach companies have the flexibility to adapt to your itinerary. The drivers are also guides, so you’ll have the added benefit of a commentary if you want one.

Currency
New Zealand's unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$).

Electricity
230V/50Hz (Australian plug)

Country dialing code: 64

Time zone
12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In summer New Zealand uses ‘daylight saving’, with clocks put forward one hour to GMT+13.
Source of information:
New Zealand Tourism Board (http://www.newzealand.com)

Visas
You do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand if you are:

• A New Zealand citizen or Resident Permit holder
• An Australian citizen travelling on an Australian passport
• An Australian resident with a current Australian resident return visa
• A British citizen and or British passport holder who can produce evidence of the right to reside permanently in the UK (you can stay up to six months)
• A citizen of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand (you can stay up to three months)

Transit visas will be needed for all people travelling via New Zealand, unless they are specifically exempted by immigration policy.
For more detailed information check out the Visa free countries section of the Immigration New Zealand website.

Source of information:
New Zealand Tourism Board (http://www.newzealand.com)
Immigration New Zealand (http://www.immigration.govt.nz)

Customs & Immigrations
Duty free
If you are 17 years or older, your duty free allowance is:

• 4.5 liters of wine or beer (six 750ml bottles)
• Three bottles (or other containers) each containing no more than 1125ml bottle of spirits, liqueur or other spirituous beverages.
• 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco or 50 cigars, or a mixture of all three weighing no more than 250 grams.
• Other goods to a combined value of NZ$700. Please have purchase receipts available.

Customs prohibited and restricted goods
You should not bring the following items into New Zealand:

• Firearms and weapons (including sporting firearms), unless a permit is obtained from New Zealand Police on arrival at the airport. The New Zealand Police website has more information on importing firearms.
• Prescription medicines, unless accompanied by a doctor’s prescription.
• Pirated copyright goods.
• Objectionable (indecent) articles, such as DVDs and publications.

Bio security risk goods that must be declared include:

• Any food including cooked, uncooked, fresh, preserved, packaged or dried goods
• Plant or plant products including fruit, vegetables, leaves, nuts, parts of flowers, seeds, bulbs, fungi, cane, bamboo, wood or straw.
• Animals, animal medicines or animal products including meat, dairy products, fish, honey, bee products, eggs, feathers, shells, raw wood, skins, bones or insects
• Biological cultures, soil or water
• Equipment used with animals, plants or water
• Articles with soil attached, outdoor sport or hiking shoes, and tents

Learn more about New Zealand's bio security policies restricted goods on the MAF Bio security New Zealand website.

Source of information:
New Zealand Tourism Board (http://www.newzealand.com)