New ZealandNew Zealand

Natural EnvironmentsNatural Environments

New Zealand is New Zealand is located in the south located in the south pacific.pacific.

New Zealand is made New Zealand is made up of two major up of two major islands. islands. The North Island The North Island The South Island. The South Island.

(separated by Cook (separated by Cook Strait)Strait)

North IslandNorth Island

Contains forests and Contains forests and fertile lowlands. fertile lowlands.

Located in the Pacific Located in the Pacific Ring of Fire.Ring of Fire.

Active volcanoes, Active volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs.geysers, and hot springs.

Rugged hills and small Rugged hills and small coastal lowlands. coastal lowlands.

The South IslandThe South Island

Larger and higher than other island.Larger and higher than other island. Canterbury PlainsCanterbury Plains Southern Alps (west coast)Southern Alps (west coast)

Mt. CookMt. Cook• Highest elevation in New Zealand at 12,349 ftHighest elevation in New Zealand at 12,349 ft

Climates and BiomesClimates and Biomes

All of New Zealand has a All of New Zealand has a mild marine west coast mild marine west coast climate.climate.

North Island is warmer than the South Island.North Island is warmer than the South Island. Southern Island receives much more Southern Island receives much more

precipitation. (winds hit Alps they drop snow and precipitation. (winds hit Alps they drop snow and rain)rain)

Most of New Zealand has a Most of New Zealand has a temperate forest temperate forest biome.biome.

More…..More…..

The Forests are mostly evergreen trees.The Forests are mostly evergreen trees. There are many endemic species.There are many endemic species.

Flightless birds (kiwis)Flightless birds (kiwis)• Sleep during the day and look for food at night.Sleep during the day and look for food at night.

Bats are the only endemic mammals on New Bats are the only endemic mammals on New Zealand.Zealand.

Exotic Animals are numerous in New Zealand. Cats, Exotic Animals are numerous in New Zealand. Cats, cattle, deer and sheep are some of them.cattle, deer and sheep are some of them.

The TuataraThe Tuatara Found only on a few islands in Found only on a few islands in

New ZealandNew Zealand

Last living member of an Last living member of an ancient species related to ancient species related to dinosaurs.dinosaurs.

They appeared on the earth They appeared on the earth over 200 millions years ago.over 200 millions years ago.

Can live up to 100 years old.Can live up to 100 years old.

Contrary to public believe the Contrary to public believe the Tuatara are not lizards.Tuatara are not lizards.

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources

Hydroelectric power supplies 65% of the Hydroelectric power supplies 65% of the countries electricity.countries electricity. Geothermal power is also produced.Geothermal power is also produced.

Main resource is good land for farming.Main resource is good land for farming. 50% of the land supports crops or livestock.50% of the land supports crops or livestock.

Early history and settlement.Early history and settlement.

Maori: the first people in New Zealand. (1,000 Maori: the first people in New Zealand. (1,000 years ago)years ago) Came from Pacific IslandsCame from Pacific Islands The hunted MoaThe hunted Moa The Maori settled on theThe Maori settled on the

North island.North island.

Culture was based on:Culture was based on:

FarmingFarming

FishingFishing

HuntingHunting

First Europeans….First Europeans….

In 1769 British explorer James Cook made In 1769 British explorer James Cook made contact with the Maori.contact with the Maori.

In 1840 a treaty was signed that gave British In 1840 a treaty was signed that gave British control of the Islands….in exchange the British control of the Islands….in exchange the British promised to protect the Maori people.promised to protect the Maori people.

Problems….disease, fighting, and killing. (Maori Wars)Problems….disease, fighting, and killing. (Maori Wars) In 1907 New Zealand became an independent country In 1907 New Zealand became an independent country

within the British Empire.within the British Empire.

People and LanguagesPeople and Languages

Most New Zealanders have British Most New Zealanders have British ancestry and speak English.ancestry and speak English.

Asian and Pacific Islanders are minorities.Asian and Pacific Islanders are minorities. The largest minority in New Zealand is the The largest minority in New Zealand is the

Maori. They make up 10% of the Maori. They make up 10% of the population.population.

SettlementSettlement

75% of the people live on the North Island75% of the people live on the North Island 80% live in the cities.80% live in the cities. New Zealand’s main city is Auckland. New Zealand’s main city is Auckland.

(30% of population live in or around here)(30% of population live in or around here) Wellington is capital of New Zealand.Wellington is capital of New Zealand.

Traditions, customs, and foodTraditions, customs, and food

Outdoor activities are popular. (camping, Outdoor activities are popular. (camping, hiking, and sailing)hiking, and sailing)

Skiing, rugby, and cricket are very popular.Skiing, rugby, and cricket are very popular. New Zealand also competes in National New Zealand also competes in National

Yachting races. Yachting races. Favorite foods: clam soup, lamb, and Favorite foods: clam soup, lamb, and

sweet potatoes. Tea is very popular.sweet potatoes. Tea is very popular.

Economy and IssuesEconomy and Issues

Farming, manufacturing, and tourism make up the Farming, manufacturing, and tourism make up the country’s economy.country’s economy.

World’s largest producer of kiwi fruit.World’s largest producer of kiwi fruit.

New Zealand is small….less people makes it hard to New Zealand is small….less people makes it hard to expand it’s economy.expand it’s economy.

Trade mostly with Unites States, Australia, and Japan.Trade mostly with Unites States, Australia, and Japan.

Good Bye!Good Bye!