New Zealand

• Mafalda Trincão no. 4568

• Mariana Carvalho no. 4488

Map

Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia; the country is spread over two main islands, known as the 'North Island' and the 'South Island'

Area: 268 680 sq km

Capital: Wellington

Flag

It’s blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag, which represent the Southern Cross constellation.

The National Anthem

God Defend New Zealand

God of nations! at Thy feet In the bonds of love we meet, Hear our voices, we entreat, God defend our Free Land. Guard Pacific's triple star, From the shafts of strife and war, Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand

Men of ev'ry creed and race Gather here before Thy face, Asking Thee to bless this place, God defend our Free Land. From dissension, envy, hate, And corruption guard our State, Make our country good and great, God defend New Zealand.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast, But, should foes assail our coast, Make us then a mighty host, God defend our Free Land. Lord of battles in thy might, Put our enemies to flight, Let our cause be just and right, God defend New Zealand.

Let our love for Thee increase, May Thy blessings never cease, Give us plenty, give us peace, God defend our Free Land. From dishonour and from shame Guard our country's spotless name Crown her with immortal fame, God defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be Freedom's ramparts on the sea, Make us faithful unto Thee, God defend our Free Land. Guide her in the nations' van, Preaching love and truth to man, Working out Thy Glorious plan, God defend New Zealand.

This version of the national anthem was published in the Listener in 1940. Words by Thomas Bracken, music by John J. Woods

New Zealand holds a rare position in the world in that it has two national anthems of equal standing - 'God Defend New Zealand' and 'God Save The Queen'. Both of these anthems have origins which have been inspired by the fire of patriotism yet were written under markedly different situations.

Population

POPULATION…………..4,035,461 (about 80% of the population lives in cities)

Ethnic groups: European 69.8%,

Maori 7.9%, Asian 5.7%

Pacific islander 4.4%other 0.5%mixed 7.8%unspecified 3.8% (2001 census)

Languages: English (official), Maori

Nationality: noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand

Religions: Anglican 14.9%Roman Catholic 12.4%Presbyterian 10.9%Methodist 2.9%Pentecostal 1.7%Baptist 1.3%other Christian 9.4%other 3.3%unspecified 17.2%none 26% (2001 census)

Food• Pavlovas(Pavlova is like a meringue cake, but with a light soft

centre and crisp golden crust that literally melt in the mouth. Topped off with fresh whipped cream and selected fruits)

• Ginger Beer • Afghan Biscuits (are a mixture of cornflakes, cocoa powder, sugar

and butter, which is baked and then topped with chocolate icing and walnuts )

• ANZAC Biscuits • Roast Lamb • HokeyPokey • Banana Sandwiches • Golden Syrup • Gingernuts • Vegemite Quiche

Symbols

• Fern (The fern leaf has been chosen as a national symbol and is used particularly by new zealand´s international sporting teams)

• The kiwi (the kiwi is unique to New Zealand and is one of its national symbols; kiwi is also the popular nickname for a New Zealander)

• flowers of the kowhai tree

Famous people

• Peter Jackson (filmography-Producer, Director, Writer )

• Kiri Te Kanawa (singer)

• Anna Paquin (actress- “the piano”)

• Sam Neill (Gained commercial success and recognition in the United States with Jurassic Park-1993)

Famous place

• Wellington (cultural, administrative and political center of the country)

• Christchurch (the largest city in the South Island)

• Auckland (the New Zealand’s largest urban area; the centre of commerce and industry)

Landscapes

Volcanoes in the New Zealand Region • New Zealand is a country of

rare seismic beauty: glacial mountains, fast-flowing rivers, deep, clear lakes, hissing geysers and boiling mud. There are also abundant forest reserves and long, deserted beaches.

• Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plans.

• Highest point: Mount Cook (3750m )

Animals

• Moa (Moa were large flightless birds that went extinct in the late 1700's)

• Tuatara (an unusual reptile)

• Kiwi (The kiwi is a flightless bird from New Zealand; it is the national emblem of New Zealand)

• Kakapo (the heaviest parrot in the world)

Curiosities

New Zealand's landscape has appeared in a number of television programmes and films. As examples:

• the television series “Hercules” and “Xena”• the film “Heavenly Creatures• The television series “The Tribe” • the epic “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy • “The Last Samurai”• “King Kong”

Monuments

• Sky Tower-Auckland

• Cathedral Square- Christchurch

Hooray (bye)