Key facts about New Zealand . . .
POPULATION
New Zealand has a total population of over 4.5 million people. Over a third of New Zealand’s population lives in Auckland – a city of 
more than 1.3 million people. Our capital, Wellington city, is home to around 365,000 people. Christchurch is our second largest city. It’s often referred to as the gateway to the South Island. Currentlyover 99,000 international students are living and studying in New Zealand.
HISTORY
The ancestors of the Maori were a Polynesian people originating from South East Asia. The exact date of settlement of the islands of New Zealand is unknown but some say between 950 – 1150.
In December 1642, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sighted a new land which he described as mountainous and covered in cloud in the south, but more barren in the north. He had discovered New Zealand. The islands were named after the Dutch province of Zeeland.
6th February 1840 – The Treaty of Waitangi was signed. This is New Zealand’s founding document. It was signed in Waitangi, Bay of Islands. The 6th February is now a public holiday in New Zealand. The Treaty is an agreement in Maori and English between the British Crown and about 540 Maori Chiefs. In the agreement Maori ceded the Sovereignty of New Zealand to Britain. Maori gave the Crown an exclusive right to buy lands they wished to sell and in return were guaranteed full rights of ownership of their lands, forests, fisheries and possessions. Maori were in return given the rights and privileges of British subjects.
NATIONAL ICONS
New Zealand has many different aspects that make our country special and unique. The scenery, the friendly people, our exports of dairy products and fruit . . . However, our national icons are quite special. The Kiwi, the Silver Fern and the Sheep.
CULTURE
New Zealanders – or ‘Kiwis’ – are famous for their warm hospitality. We’re friendly, welcoming, enjoy meeting people from other cultures and love sharing food and conversation. In daily life, we are relatively informal. First names are used, even in business.
New Zealand’s multi-cultural society is a result of migration from many parts of the world, beginning over 1,000 years ago with the arrival of the Maori. The British began to colonise New Zealand from the mid-19th century.
New Zealanders today come from many ethnic backgrounds, including European, Pacific Island, Asian and African. Multi-cultural influences are very much part of our fashion, art and music.
Maori are known as ‘tangata whenua’ or ‘people of the land’. In 2006, 1 in 7 New Zealanders identified as Maori. A resurgence of Maori culture and language in recent times has resulted in a new sense of national identity based on the idea of biculturalism – joint responsibility for achieving the ideals of the Treaty of Waitangi, which was signed in 1840.
LIFESTYLE
New Zealand people in short are relaxed but hard working. The majority tend to enjoy the outdoors. New Zealand women are strong and independent. New Zealand is well renowned for its gender equality. Teenagers are given responsibilities at a young age and in most cases are expected to work part time in order to pay for university fees.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
New Zealand has very changeable weather and has been said to have ‘four seasons in one day’. The climate ranges from warm to hot summers to cold crisp winters. Temperatures range from:
November to April is warm to hot (Max. 18 – 30 degrees C)
May to October is cool to cold and often windy and wet (Max. 7 – 18 degrees C)
OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE
New Zealanders love the outdoors. The mild climate means outdoor recreation is an important part of the Kiwi way of life. We spend our hot summers and mild winters exploring beautiful national parks, beaches and rivers. You can go kayaking, mountain biking, surfing, abseiling, parachute jumping, swimming with dolphins, caving, and, of course, bungy jumping.
In summer, people are encouraged to ‘slip, slop, slap’ – slip on a long-sleeved shirt, slop on some sunblock, and slap on a hat – to protect them from cancer-causing sunburn. It’s easy to get sunburnt here, even on cool or cloudy days, as the sun in New Zealand has strong UV rays.
SPORTS
New Zealanders’ national sport is rugby – many play it and just about everybody enjoys watching it. Other popular sports include cricket, cycling, hockey, soccer, netball, horse riding, tennis, touch rugby, golf, basketball, badminton, bowls, yachting, volleyball, squash, cycling, mountain biking, trail biking, motor racing, skiing, shooting, rowing, fishing, swimming and aerobics. All sorts of watersports are enjoyed in our famously clean rivers, harbours and lakes.
2015 SECONDARY SCHOOL TERMS
Term 1 Starts: Between Monday 26 January and Thursday 5 February – Ends Date: Thursday 2 April
Term 2 Starts: Monday 20 April Ends: Friday 3 July
Term 3 Starts: Monday 20 July Ends: Friday 25 September
Term 4 Starts: Monday 12 October Ends: No later than Wednesday 16 December
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2015
- New Years Day – 1 January
- Day after New Years Day – 2 January
- Waitangi Day – 6 February
- Good Friday – 3 April
- Easter Monday – 6 April
- ANZAC Day – 27 April
- Queen’s Birthday – 1 June
- Labour Day – 26 October
- Christmas Day – 25 December
- Boxing Day – 26 December