Welcome to New Zealand Holidays! |
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New Zealand is a country in the southwestern
Pacific Ocean comprising two large islands
(the North Island and the South Island) and
numerous smaller islands, most notably
Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. In
Māori, New Zealand is also known as Aotearoa,
which is usually translated into English as
the Land of the Long White Cloud.
The Realm of New Zealand also includes the
Cook Islands and Niue, which are
self-governing, but in free association;
Tokelau; and the Ross Dependency (New
Zealand's territorial claim in Antarctica).
New Zealand, Hawaii and Easter Island form
what is known by anthropologists as the
Triangle of Polynesia.
New Zealand is notable for its geographic
isolation, being separated from Australia to
the northwest by the Tasman Sea, some 2000
kilometres (1250 miles) across. Its closest
neighbours to the north are New Caledonia,
Fiji, and Tonga.
The population is mostly of European
descent, with the indigenous Māori being the
largest minority. Non-Māori Polynesian and
Asian people are also significant
minorities, especially in the cities.
Elizabeth II, as the Queen of New Zealand,
is the Head of State and is represented, in
her absence, by a non-partisan
Governor-General; the Queen 'reigns but does
not rule', so she has no real political
influence. Political power is held by the
democratically-elected Parliament of New
Zealand under the leadership of the Prime
Minister who is the Head of Government.The
population is mostly of European descent,
with the indigenous Māori being the largest
minority. Non-Māori Polynesian and Asian
people are also significant minorities,
especially in the cities. Elizabeth II, as
the Queen of New Zealand, is the Head of
State and is represented, in her absence, by
a non-partisan Governor-General; the Queen
'reigns but does not rule', so she has no
real political influence. Political power is
held by the democratically-elected
Parliament of New Zealand under the
leadership of the Prime Minister who is the
Head of Government. |
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