History and people

New Zeeland’s population is about 4 million. 80% are Pakeha (Europeans), 10% are Maori (‘Usual’). 6% of Pakeha are part Maori. The Maori live on North Island. Tongans, Samoans and Cook Islanders are 5% of population. Chinese and Indians comprise 2%. Auckland holds 25% of the nation's people. 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.

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. The first discovery of the islands is attributed to, 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 Land. 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 Zeeland. 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.

New Zealand is a constitutional monarch. New Zealand is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth. A governor general represents Queen Elizabeth II. 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 is free and compulsory between 6 and 19. Many children enter school at 5. Children under 5 attend kindergartens or play centres. Secondary education begins at 13. Secondary school students wear uniforms. Some schools are for boys and some for girls. The Roman Catholic Church operates some schools. 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.

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.

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