New zealand economic landscape

New Zealand is an island country, 1000 miles of Australia. It covers 268,680 sq km. The original name of NZ is Aotearoa (Land of the Long Cloud). This mountainous island nation lies in the South Pacific about 1,600km southeast of Australia. The highest in NZ is Mount Cook (3764 m). There are forests of pine like kauri trees. The longest River is the Waikato (1425km). NZ has hundreds of waterfalls: Southerland Falls is 580 m high. It is the 5th highest waterfall in the world.

The two principal landforms are North Island and South Island. Stewart Island and Chatham Islands are far to the east. Small islands are uninhabited. The more populous North Island has fertile agricultural land, the largest man-made forest in the Southern Hemisphere, and a few isolated snow capped volcanoes. It also boasts hot springs mud pools and geysers in its thermal region. On South Island, the Southern Alps provide opportunities for skiing. There are many glaciers, lakes, and rivers. Coastal fjords rival those of Norway. Coastal lowland is used for agriculture. Both islands have many sandy beaches. NZ has 400 earthquakes a year, but only 100 of them are strong.

The climate is temperate, with plenty of sunshine and adequate rainfall. The country is well watered. In the winter high humidity makes it cold (4˚C). The peaks have ice caps. Summer temperature is 23˚C. The seasons are opposite those in the Northern Hemisphere. January is in the middle of summer and July is in the middle of winter.

Animals have been introduced from other countries. Two species of bats are the only native land mammals. NZ has no snakes. But the tuatara, a native prehistoric reptile still lives in NZ. Native birds are kakapo parrot, kiwi, takahe and weka. The kiwi is the only bird with nostrils. The kiwi is apteryx, it cannot fly. The kiwi has a stocky body with brown feathers, a long, flexible bill. Its relationship to other birds is obscure. Kiwi is so popular that it became a nickname for a New Zealander and a non-flying serviceman of the air service.

The capital of New Zealand is Wellington. Its population is 325,000. British settlers founded Wellington in 1840. The capital was moved there from Auckland, the largest city, because of Wellington's central location.

Wellington is also a port and manufacture centre. It lies along the harbour of port Nicolson. The port of Wellington handles foreign trade. Factories assemble automobiles. The city is the home of Victoria University of Wellington. Places of interest include the Parliament buildings, two cathedrals, the Dominion Museum, National Art Galleria and Michael Fowler Centre.

NZ has a modern economy. 5% of the population is employed in agriculture. NZ has 3 million dairy cattle, 5 million beef cattle and 6 million sheep. The country is the world's largest producer of kiwi fruit. NZ farmers produce chicken and eggs, deer, goats and pigs. Chief crops are barley, potatoes; and wheat. NZ loggers cut down 10 million cubic meters of timber yearly. Most of this timber comes from the radiata pine. NZ exports wool, lamb, mutton and beef, fruit, fish and cheese. NZ is the world's largest exporter of wool. Industries include food processing, textiles, machinery, wood and paper products. The chief fish in NZ water include barracuda, hoki, and orange roughy, red cod shapper. Rock lobster is trapped along the coast. Fish and frozen fish and rock lobster tails rank as important exports. Oyster farming is developed too.

Tourism is a vital economic sector. Real gross domestic product per capita is $14,990. Unemployment is low but higher among Maori. A free-trade agreement with Australia has boosted trade. Economic growth has averaged 4-8%. One of NZ's major concerns is finding new overseas markets for its diary and wheat production. The currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$).

A private car is the preferred mode of transportation. In NZ they drive on the left side. Many urban residents ride a bus to work. All major cities have good bus connections. Trains and a domestic airline also operate between cities. Many people use bicycles. Ferries carry passengers and cars between the two main islands. Numerous radio and TV stations and other media operate throughout NZ.