History and people

Who discovered New Zealand?

Who gave the name to New Zealand?

Do schoolchildren wear uniform in NZ?

Population. New Zealand's population is about 4 million. 80% are Pakeha /Europeans/, 10% are Maori /“Usual”/. 6% Pakeha are part-Maori. The Maori live on North Island. Tongans, Samoans and Cook Islanders are 5% of population. Chinese and Indians com­prise 2%. Aukland holds 25% the nation's people.

History. The first discovery of the islands is attributed to Kupe, the Polynesian explorer. Maori migrations from Polynesian Islands began before AD 900. These early Maori were warlike but highly or­ganized and skilled.

In 1642, Dutch explorer A. Tasman sighted the islands and named them Staten Landt. He did not go ashore because of an unfriendly Maori reception. Dutch geographers changed the island's name into New Zealand after the Dutch province of Zealand.

England's Captain Cook visited the Maori in 1769 and opened the door to European settlement. In 1840, the Maori and Great Britain signed the treaty. The British monarch granted the Maori legal protec­tion. Colonization proceeded rapidly after 1840. The Maori population declined. In 1852, Britain granted NZ self-government.

In 1907 it became an independent dominion. The Maori population integrated with Europeans. However, the Maori have many distinct aspects of their culture. Many New Zealanders stand for a fully independent republic.

Language. English and Maori are both official languages. Maori people also speak English. 10% of Pakeha speak Maori. Many Maori words /Pakeha, kiwi, etc./ have been adopted into English.

Religion. 81% are Christians /Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Methodists/. 11% attend church. 1% of people are Hindu or Buddhist. There are Rotana and Ringatu churches of Maori.

Government. New Zealаnd is a constitutional monarchy. New Zealand is a parliamentary democ­racy within the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II is represented by a governor general. Until 1840 New Zealand had no legal government. Britain gave New Zealand constitution in 1852. The head of the gov­ernment is the prime minister. Parliament is called the House of Representatives. It has 120 seats. New Zealand is divided into 16 regions, 57 districts, and 16 towns. There are 4 main political parties. The voting age is 18. In 1893, New Zealand became the first country to give women the right to vote.

Education. Education is free and compulsory between 6 and 19. Many enter school at 5. Children under 5 attend kindergartens or play centers. Secondary education begins at 13. Secondary school students wear uniforms. Some schools are for boys and some for girls. Some schools are operated by the Roman Catholic Church. New Zealand correspondence school is in Wellington. Students who live very far from the roads may receive instruction. The school broadcast daily lessons to the students who send their home­work back to the teachers. A state exam in the fifth year of secondary school is required for university ad­mission. The government administers 7 universities. Tuition is too high for some students. Technical and vocational education is available. The adult literacy rate is 99%.

Literature. The detective stories by NZ author Dame Marsh have become popular throughout the world.

Music. The NZ Symphony Orchestra is internationally known.

Health. Social security program covers the aged, disabled, sick, and unemployed. The public health-care system is maintained by taxes. Public hospitals serve the poor. Private hospitals receive some government subsidies. Medical facilities are good. The infant mortality rate is 7 per 1,000. Life expectancy ranges between 73 and 80 years.

Army. The NZ Army has a total of 11,000. All military service is voluntary.