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I live near Wellington,  New Zealand	New Zealand Flag...

I. Introduction
New Zealand, country in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia. It comprises two large islands—North Island and South Island—and numerous smaller islands. The area of New Zealand is 270,534 sq km (104,454 sq mi). The capital is Wellington.

II. Land and Resources
New Zealand is a country of high mountains and fertile coastal plains. North Island is largely volcanic, with geysers and hot springs. The highest mountain ranges are on South Island and include coastal fjords and several permanent glaciers. Mount Cook (3754 m/12,316 ft) is the highest point in New Zealand.
(i've climbed the second highest...: Mt Ruapehu,  and yes ... it was the one that erupted!) 

III. Population
The population is 3,587,275 (1997 estimate). Most of the people are of European (mainly British) descent. Other major ethnic groups include native Maori and other Polynesians. A majority of the New Zealand population is Christian.

English and Maori are the official languages, although the country is predominantly English-speaking. Education is free ($4500/yr is
free??? I WISH!) and compulsory. The government funds universities. (yeah whatever!!!!!  I don't believe that!...why do I have to pay so much then?)

Nearly three-quarters of the people live on North Island, and 86 percent are in urban areas. The largest city is Auckland. Though Wellington is far better than Auckland! =) Always!
IV. Economy
New Zealand is a prosperous country with a high standard of social services. The national economy is largely dependent on the export of wool, dairy products, meat, and timber. New Zealand is the world's largest exporter of dairy products, and second to Australia in wool. Ocean fisheries yield a diversity of seafood. Mining products include coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

Some 25 percent of the population is engaged in manufacturing, construction, and mining; there are insufficient workers and raw materials to support much heavy industry. Principal manufactures include meat and dairy products, paper and paper products, lumber, and refined petroleum.

New Zealand has moved, since 1984, from a regulated welfare state into an increasingly open-market, deregulated economy. Primary production is becoming less significant and service industries, especially tourism, are becoming more prominent. The unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$1.45 equal U.S.$1; 1996   - i thought this was out of date!!!).
V. Government
The chief executive is the governor-general, who is appointed by the British monarch. The governor-general works with the Executive Council, composed of the governor-general, the prime minister, and various other ministers. The principal administrative group in New Zealand is the Cabinet, consisting of the prime minister and the ministers in charge of government departments.

New Zealand has a parliament, the House of Representatives, with 95 (? really! i never knew that!) members elected by the general public and 4 members elected by the Maori. The prime minister is appointed by the governor-general but must have the official confidence of the House of Representatives.
VI. History
The Maori people, emigrants from Polynesia, settled New Zealand from the 9th through the 14th centuries. In 1642 Dutch navigator Abel Janszoon Tasman became the first European to sight New Zealand. British explorer Captain James Cook visited the islands in 1769 and claimed them for Great Britain.  Now the Maori's want it all back!

In 1840 Britain proclaimed sovereignty over the islands. In 1841 New Zealand was established as a colony, with Auckland as the capital. Systematic settlement from Britain continued through the 19th century, marked by periods of Maori uprisings and a gold rush. Most settlers became farmers or herders. In 1882 New Zealand began shipping agricultural products overseas in refrigerated ships, greatly expanding its markets.

A central government, established in 1852, was fully implemented in 1856. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, New Zealand politics was dominated by a push for liberal social programs, the results of which included male suffrage, compulsory education, land reform, minimum rates of pay, compulsory arbitration and settlement of labor disputes, the first national women's suffrage - (and we still suffer) in the world, and foundation of the social security system - yeah! to support portions of our population otherwise useless (students, some maori, cam).

New Zealand troops serving in World War I (1914-1918) suffered heavy losses, causing a rise in nationalism (really?? not what i heard...). An economic depression from 1921 to 1926 followed the collapse of a speculative land boom. New Zealand was also affected by the worldwide depression that began in 1930. The government elected in 1935 nationalized parts of the economy and expanded social security.

New Zealand contributed troops to the Allies in all theaters of World War II (1939-1945) and became a charter member of the United Nations (UN) in 1945. New Zealand entered into a mutual defense pact with Australia and the United States in 1951 and the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization in 1954.

The government swung between liberal and conservative control through the following three decades. Significant developments included the loss of Britain's trade market when the British joined the European Community in 1973, establishment of diplomatic ties with China in the same year, and a massive economic restructuring in 1984, following years of economic downturn.

New Zealand banned nuclear vessels from its ports in 1984, and the United States responded in 1986 by suspending its defense obligations under the 1951 mutual defense pact (ie if we get involved inna war with the aussies...they don;t want to know?). In a 1993 referendum, New Zealandersapproved (well...thought it would be nice for a change...soon changed their minds!) a new electoral system of proportional representation, called mixed-member proportional voting (MMP). At the same time, the last election under the former system was the closest of the century. Conservatives formed a government with a one-vote majority. It remains to be seen whether the new voting system will alter the balance of New Zealand politics. not anymore... it shifted...for the worse!!