Kia Ora*, New Zealand (*Hello, in Maori

Trish Stephen

New Zealand (Aotearoa) is a wondrous South Sea country comprised of the North Island, Te Ika–a-Maui, the South Island, Te Waipounamu, and Stewart Island.

The North Island’s many geothermal areas generate 13 percent of the country’s electricity.

Te Ika–a-Maui

Queenstown

Te Waipounamu

Stewart Island

©iStockphoto.com/forest_strider

New Zealand is long and narrow—990 miles by a maximum width of 250 miles—situated 900 miles east of Australia across the Tasman Sea.

The two main islands of New Zealand are separated by the Cook Strait, 14 miles wide at its narrowest point. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled. Polynesians settled the Islands around 1300 CE [Common Era]. They became the Maori culture.

Wellington, the capital city located at the bottom tip of the North Island, is a very hilly and windy city.

The largest city is bustling Auckland, with a population of 1,500,000, comprising 33 percent of the total population. The majority of the population of 4.7 million is made up of people of European descent.

New Zealanders (Kiwis) have always loved to travel, even from the time it took 6 weeks by liner to reach England . . . the trip home. Kiwis are a very hospitable, happy, and outgoing people.

The diversity of scenery makes New Zealand a gem to visit. Located in the Ring of Fire, it has • 90 percent of the world’s earthquakes, and

Ring of Fire

24 peaks above 3000 metres. Seventy-five percent of New Zealand is mountainous or hilly.

The main ski areas are on the South Island. Queenstown is a popular tourist resort. Many North American snowbirds have found New Zealand an ideal destination.

New Zealand’s wines have attained world ratings, especially their white wines. Wine tours can be booked through your travel agent.

New Zealand boys learn to play rugby at an early age. It is the dream of many young boys to play for the famous All Black team, the most successful international rugby side of all-time. They wear black uniforms. s Trish Stephen is a BC (Golden) girl who resided in Christchurch for 2 years.