![]() ![]() He sailed along much of the western coast. In 1642 the Dutch sailor Abel Tasman became the first European to see New Zealand. Based on archaeological evidence, however, they believe that the Maori actually had reached New Zealand in the 1200s or possibly even earlier. Hawaiki is usually identified as the Polynesian island of Tahiti. Researchers agree that the Maori came to New Zealand from other islands in the east-central area of the Pacific known as Polynesia. They say that they had sailed from a mythical Pacific homeland called Hawaiki. The major services include banking, insurance, and tourism.Īccording to the traditional beliefs of the Maori, they arrived on the islands of New Zealand in the ad 1300s. Service industries employ more people than any other part of the economy. New Zealand’s mineral resources include iron ore, gold, coal, limestone, and natural gas. The country’s factories also manufacture chemicals, beverages, textiles, shoes, carpets, and other goods. Industry in New Zealand depends heavily on the processing of agricultural products. The country’s main exports include meat, wool, dairy products, fish, and wood products such as paper. Fishing and forestry are also important in New Zealand’s economy. The volcanic zone on the North Island provides fertile soil that is excellent for growing many different kinds of crops. Apples, barley, wheat, and corn are among the main crops. New Zealand’s sheep population is about 7 times its human population. The raising of sheep and cattle is the major agricultural activity. The kapa haka (“row dance”) competition is the focus of the festival.Īgriculture is not as important to New Zealand’s economy as it once was, but it is still the country’s leading source of exports. It is held every two years and lasts three to four days. Te Matatini celebrates Maori culture, especially the performing arts. A popular festival is Te Matatini (originally called Polynesian Festival). It commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between Great Britain and Maori tribes. Waitangi Day is considered the country’s national day. Important public holidays in New Zealand include ANZAC Day (April 25) and Waitangi Day (February 6). Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who has European and Maori ancestors, was one of the world’s leading opera singers. The country has been home to such authors as the short-story writer Katherine Mansfield and the novelist Janet Frame. The cultural life of the European New Zealanders has developed rapidly since the early 1900s. Maori songs and dances have become increasingly popular, especially among the young. Many people now practice traditional Maori crafts such as wood carving and weaving. The culture of New Zealand is mainly European, but Maori artistic and cultural traditions have been revived. The population on the South Island is mainly pakeha. The largest Maori population can be found in the north, east, and center of the North Island. Manukau, North Shore, and Waitakere are part of the Auckland metropolitan area. The Auckland region is home to a large population of Asian and Pacific peoples. ![]() All except Christchurch are on the North Island. The largest cities are Auckland, Christchurch, Manukau, North Shore, Wellington, and Waitakere. About 86 percent of New Zealanders live in cities and towns. The North Island has about three times the population of the South Island. Some Maori religions have elements of Christianity. Anglicans form the largest group, followed by Presbyterians and Roman Catholics. The majority of New Zealanders are Christians. Both English and Maori are official languages. The country also has small groups of Chinese, Indians, and people from other Pacific islands.Įnglish is the main language of New Zealand. The great majority of the population, however, is made up of Europeans, mostly of British origin. At the start of the 21st century about 10 percent of New Zealanders claimed to have Maori ancestors. Even so, the Maori are a larger element in New Zealand’s population today than are Aboriginal peoples in Australia or Native Americans in the United States. Warfare and diseases brought by the Europeans reduced the Maori population to about 42,000 by the end of the 1800s. Their population may have reached as high as 200,000 before Europeans began settling on the islands in the 1800s. ![]()
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