Page 6 - New Zealand Destination Guide - Alluring Asia

THE LAND New Zealand comprises the North Island and the South Island (the two principal islands), Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. Small outlying islands belonging to New Zealand include the Auckland Islands, the Kermadec PAGE 3 Islands, Campbell Island, the Antipodes, Three Kings Island, Bounty Island, the Snares Islands, and the Solander Population | Time | Visas Islands. Dependencies are Tokelau and Ross Dependency. The Cook Islands and Niue, both internally self- History governing, are in free association with New Zealand. PAGE 4 Language The North Island is known for its active volcanic mountains and its hot springs. The country's longest river (the Waikato) and largest lake (Taupo) are both on the North Island. On the South Island, the massive Southern Alps PAGE 5 Climate extend almost the length of the island, and in the southwest are beautiful fjords. The largest areas of virgin forest are in the southern and northern extremities of the South Island. Among the unusual animals native to New PAGE 6 Zealand are the kiwi, certain species of parrot, the tuatara (survivor of a prehistoric order of reptiles), and various The Land frogs and reptiles. New Zealand has no native land mammals other than bats. Large oyster beds are found in the PAGE 7 Foveaux Strait between Stewart Island and the South Island. Extensive areas of New Zealand have been set-aside The People as national parks, including the Fiordland, Mt. Aorangi-Cook, and Tongariro parks. PAGE 8 Currency | Credit Cards More than 85% of the population lives in urban areas. In addition to Wellington and Auckland, the principal Changing Money | Tipping cities are Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Hutt City and Invercargill. People of European Safety & Crime background constitute almost 70% of the population. The Maori, New Zealand's indigenous inhabitants, now make up about 8% of the population, with most living on the North Island. Almost 5% of the population is of PAGE 9 Communications | What to Pack Asian descent, while Pacific Islanders make up over 4%. Health & Vaccinations PAGE 10 Shopping | Customs | Etiquette PAGE 11 Food & Drinks PAGE 12 Culture & The Arts | Religion 6