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Capital city: Wellington (389,700 residents) Population: 4,393,500 inhabitants Area: 268,021 km2 Density: 16.4/km2

Language: English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language Currency: New Zealand Dollar (about 14 CZK)

Aotearoa is the current Māori name for NZ and it‘s also used in New Zealand English. It means “land of the long white cloud”

In 1645 Dutch cartographers gave NZ name Nova Zeelandia and then British explorer James Cook anglicized it to New Zealand.

Auckland – 1,354,900 residents (31 % of population) Wellington – 389,700 residents (the capital) Christchurch – 376,700 residents Hamilton – 186,000 residents

Wellington was chosen as capital city due to its harbour and central location.

Flag Coat of arms

Kiwi became a national icon.

Anthem: „God Defend New Zealand“ („God Save The Queen“)

Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy Monarch: Elizabeth II; Governor-General: Jerry Mateparae Prime Minister: John Key 11 regional councils and 67 territorial authorities Governor-General represents a head of the country, Queen Elizabeth II. Executive power is held by the Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister. The Parliament holds legislative power and consists of Queen Elizabeth II and New

Zealand House of Representatives (NZ has only one Parliament Chamber). The House of Representatives (“Parliament”) consists of 120 Members of Parliament or

more because of the overhang seats. They are elected for three-year terms. (Until 1951, there was New Zealand Legislative Council, the upper house, and the House

of Representatives, lower house.)

NZ is a member of the United Nations (UN), Commonwealth of Nations (former British colonies), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Polynesians settled NZ in 1250–1300 and developed Māori culture. European made first contact in 1642 and introduced potatoes and

muskets. In 1840 a treaty about making NZ a colony of British Empire was signed. Number of immigrants rose rapidly. Māori population declined because of introduced diseases. Economic depressions and political reforms were followed by World

Wars, where NZ fought alongside the British Empire. Nowadays NZ is no more a colony, it gained independence in 1907. But

it was still strongly attached to Great Britain. In 1931 NZ gained legislative independency by getting Statute of Westminster, which is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

67.6 % European 14.6 % Māori 9.2 % Asian 6.9 % Pacific People

In 1961 it was 92 % European and 7 % Māori, the others just 1 %. Over centuries in isolation, Māori developed a unique culture

with their own language, mythology, distinctive crafts and arts. New Zealanders regularly use about 100 Māori words. (Kia ora) Tā moko (tattooing), Whakairo (wood carving)

55.6 % Christians (Anglicanism, Roman Catholicism, Presbyterianism and Methodism) 34.7 % no religion 4 % other religions (Rātana - Māori religion, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam)

Efforts of missionaries such as Samuel Marsden resulted in most Māori converting to Christianity.

New Zealand is an island country in pacific Ocean and consists of two main islands (separated by the Cook Strait) and a number of smaller islands.

NZ has a mild and temperate maritime climate (extremes -25°C; 42 °C). NZ has various topography due to uplift and volcanic eruptions caused

by two tectonic plates clashing below. Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoro

nukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu is the name of one of the hills. On the South Island there lie Southern Alps (Mount Cook - 3,754

meters). The Largest lake, Lake Taupo, is nestled in area of most active volcanoes.

The land is mostly covered with forest. It preserves unique flora and fauna and many endemic species. The forests were dominated by birds (many of them were

flightless) till the introduction of mammals (rats etc.). Its waters are home for much cetaceans, fur seals and penguins. There live no snakes on the whole island. It was one of the last lands settled by humans. Since human

arrival almost half of the country's vertebrate species have become extinct.

Kiwi Kakapo Tuatara (Apteryx) (Strigops habroptila) (Sphenodon)

Golf, netball, tennis and cricket are the main participatory sports. Soccer is the most popular among young people. Rugby union attracts the most spectators. Country‘s team

performs haka (Maori war dance) before international matches. NZ is known for its extreme sports, adventure tourism and strong

mountaineering tradition. Cycling, fishing, swimming, running, tramping, canoeing, hunting,

snowsports and surfing are also popular.

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands (five island groups; high level of biodiversity, endemism, seabirds)

Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand(fjords, rocky coasts, towering cliffs, lakes and waterfalls; bird takahe)

Tongariro National Park(the mountains at the heart of the park have cultural and religious significance for the Maori people; active and extinct volcanoes)

Sir Edmund Hillary (1919-2008, he and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were first to climb Mount Everest)

Peter Jackson (film director, producer, actor, and screenwriter)

Russell Crowe (Australian actor born in NZ)

Sam Neill (NZ actor born in Northern Ireland)

The recent problem in Christchurch are earthquakes. Shaking ground together with rising water cause process by which saturated, unconsolidated sediments are transformed into a substance that acts like a liquid.

There is practically no corruption. NZ offers beautiful nature and friendly people. Not many historical sites. Many people are interested in hiking, surfing and kayaking.

Services of travel agencies are rather expensive. Gasoline is much cheaper than in CzR. A food is slightly more expensive than in CzR. NZ has higher living standards than CzR.

What is the name of the capital city? What is the indigenous minority called? Who is the head of the country? Try to compare the climate of NZ and CzR. Which NZ sportsmen demonstrate the ancient culture? Which well known project is now being filmed on NZ islands? Where is the second boot for the Italian one?