The stunning islands of New Zealand were originally settled by the wandering Polynesian Maori. The initial 18th century settlers were mostly farmers and whalers from Australia, and many brave souls that journeyed all the way from Britain. As the Dutch began to lose their supremacy at sea, New Zealand was subsequently claimed by Britain in 1840. It proudly became a self-governing (independent) Dominion in 1907.

Comprised of two major islands (North and South), Stewart Island, Chatham Island and numerous smaller specs of land, New Zealand is a very mountainous country with some large coastal plains. In this rugged home of fjords, glaciers, rain forest, geysers, unspoiled beaches and more, it's obvious why tourism is the largest growth industry.

Population
4,035,461 (July 2005 est.)

Capital City
Wellington

Languages
English, Maori

Official Currency
New Zealand Dollar

Religion
Christian, other

Climate
Temperate with sharp regional contrasts from north to south.  Seasons are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere.

National Overseer
Dennis Casey

Ministry Stats