New-Zealand (0)

Misso Keskkool
New Zealand
Precis
Compiler: Maiki Joakit
Instructor: Mailis Teppo
Misso 2011
New Zealand is an island country in the south -western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island), and numerous smaller islands , most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands. The indigenous Māori language name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, commonly translated as land of the long white cloud . Population (1998): 3,801,000.New Zealand is notable for its geographic isolation; it is situated about 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and its closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga . During its long isolation New Zealand developed a distinctive fauna dominated by birds, a number of which became extinct after the arrival of humans and the mammals they introduced.The majority of New Zealand's population is of European descent; the indigenous Māori are the largest minority. Asians and non-Māori Polynesians are also significant minority groups, especially in urban areas . The most commonly spoken language is English .New Zealand is a developed country that ranks highly in international comparisons on many topics, including lack of corruption , high educational attainment and economic freedom. Its cities also consistently rank among the world's most liveable. Elizabeth II, as the Queen of New Zealand, is the country's head of state and is represented by a Governor-General, and executive political power is exercised by the Cabinet of New Zealand.

Some Quick facts

Capital: Wellington
Government : Representative parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy
Currency : New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Area: 270,534 sq km
Population: 4,347,000 ( February 2009 est.)
Language: English, Maori, and New Zealand sign language
Religion: unspecified/none 43%, Anglican 17%, Roman Catholic 14%, Presbyterian 11%,
Methodist 3%, Pentecostal 1.7%, Baptist 1.3%, other Christian 9%, other 3%

Culture

New Zealanders have made a profound impact in the areas of art, poetry , music, film , and architecture . Not only have the artists reached local recognition, but also gained worldwide apperception. New Kiwi self- confidence is revealed intensely in literature, film and theater . Opera diva Kiri Te Kanawa performs regularly nationally and internationally. Writers such as Witi Ihimaera, Albert Wendt, Patricia Grace , and Keri Hulme are also international figures .

Fine Arts

In the past, Kiwis were hostile towards art. In 1982, the McDougall Gallery in Christchurch planned to spend $10,000 on a painting by Colin McCahon, arguably the country's most significant and contentious painter, and this triggered ire among locals. At present , however, McCahon's paintings are auctioned at very high prices in many international collections.
A contemporary of McCahon is Gordon Walters, an artist who examines the relationship between a deliberately narrow range of forms, mostly the koru or fern bud. The rendering of this local Maori symbol in a recognizable European abstract style, which is almost similar to Klee or Mondrian, gives Walters' work a distinctively New Zealand flavor.
Housing many collections of modern New Zealand art is Auckland's Aotea Centre . Many newcomers and established international New Zealand artists such as Sir Toss Woollaston, Gretchen Albrecht, Pat Hanly, and Ralph Hotere have their works displayed in art galleries around the country.
Visual art is another increasing art form in New Zealand. Most visual artists here are involved with matters concerning political causes or movements. Works of Maori women such as Robyn Kahukiwa, Kura Te Waru Rewiri, and Shona Rapira Davies illustrate a concern for the land, whanau (family), antiracism and antisexism, and reflect the revival of Maori pride and values .
The greatest expatriate artist of New Zealand was Len Lye (1901-80) who won an international reputation as a pioneer of direct film techniques (scratching images directly on to celluloid) and kinetic sculptor. His works can be viewed at the Govett-Brewster Gallery in New Plymouth, which specializes in the works of New Zealand sculptors.

Prose and Poetry

Novelist Janet Frame realized her love for writing ever since she was a mere child growing up in a poor South Island family. Born in 1924, Frame has published over 20 novels, four collections of stories, poetry and children 's books, and three volumes of autobiography - To the Island, An Angel at My Table, and The Envoy From Mirror City.
Other Maori and Pacific Island post-colonial novelists include Witi Ihmaera, Patricia Grace, and Albert Wendt. All have had an impact on the New Zealand literary scene in the 1980s and '90s. Award winning novelist Keri Hulme achieved worldwide literary status with her Booker Prize winning novel, The Bone People, in 1985 and is still writing from her home in the South Island.

New Zealand Food & Wine

New Zealand producers some of the world's tastiest fresh food. Besides many restaurants offering dishes from a wide variety of countries in Europe and Asia - France, Italy , Germany, Austria, Greece, China , Thailand, India and Vietnam - as well as growing numbers of Middle Eastern and Latin American restaurants, there is a Pacific-style New Zealand cuisine using the abundant fresh meats, fish, vegetables and fruit in a creative manner .
New Zealand cuisine draws inspiration from Europe, Asia and Polynesia; Pacific-Rim is a distinctive fusion using many of our excellent fresh produce and seafood. Lamb, pork and cervena (venison), salmon , crayfish (lobster), oysters, kina, squid, paua (abalone), scallops, tuatua and pipi (New Zealand shellfish), mussels, kumara (a native sweet potato ), kiwifruit, New Zealand honey - these are some of the delicious fresh ingredients which make the food in New Zealand so special. Chefs are world-class, with many having worked in Europe and around the world.

New Zealand Skiing & Snowboarding

With more mountains than Switzerland and more than 25 scenic ski areas, together with cheap lift prices, New Zealand is increasingly becoming a ski destination.
Day lift passes for adults range from about $40-$75, and most of the commercial fields have ski schools . All ski equipment can be rented at the ski areas, ski hire ranging from $29-$37 and snowboard hire from $35-$50. Besides commercial fields listed, there are a number of club ski areas around the country that are open to visitors.
Nordic skiing is popular in the South Island. One such area can be found near Wanaka. Growing numbers of mountains are being opened up for ski- planes and heliskiing. The Tasman Glacier, for instance , has 13km of deep powder , as well as stunning views .

Bungy jumping, parapenting & skydiving

New Zealand is the home of bungy jumping, centred on Queenstown, though it has spread to numerous other sites, including Taupo and Hanmer Springs. The slightly less courageous can enjoy a tandem hang -glide or tandem parapenting, taking in the views of Queenstown, Nelson or Christchurch as someone else takes the controls and steers the glider or chute back to earth. For the ultimate thrill, though, there is the free-fall skydive from 3500m. Harnessed to a tandem master, the experience starts with a scenic flight , then comes the free fall at 200km per hour . Tandem skydives operate at Taupo, Nelson, Queenstown, Parakai, Bay of Islands and Wanaka.

Caving & Rafting

Over recent years caving, black-water (underground) rafting and abseiling trips have enabled thousands to explore the extensive cave systems that riddle both North and South Islands. The best known of these is the Waitomo Caves region , but caving may also be enjoyed in the Bay of Islands, on the West Coast of the South Island in the Paparoa National Park, and in the Takaka Hill area in Golden Bay.

Politics of New Zealand

The politics of New Zealand take place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy. The basic system is closely patterned on that of the Westminster System, although a number of significant modifications have been made. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented by the Governor-General and the head of government is the Prime Minister who chairs the Cabinet drawn from an elected Parliament .

Head of State

New Zealand's head of state is the Queen of New Zealand, currently Elizabeth II. The New Zealand monarchy has been distinct from the British monarchy since the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1947, and all Elizabeth II's official business in New Zealand is conducted in the name of the Queen of New Zealand, not the Queen of the United Kingdom. In practice , the functions of the monarchy are conducted by the Governor-General, appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. Under Letters Patent regulating the office of Governor-General, which are granted by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, when there is a vacancy in the office of Governor-General, several of the duties of the said office are exercised by a caretaker, known as the Administrator of the Government. As of 2010[update], the Governor-General is Sir Anand Satyanand.The Governor-General's powers are primarily symbolic and formal in nature. The Governor-General formally has the power to appoint and dismiss Prime Ministers and to dissolve Parliament; and also formally signs legislation into law after passage by Parliament. The Governor-General chairs the Executive Council , which is a formal committee consisting of all ministers of the Crown . Members of the Executive Council are required to be Members of Parliament, and most are also in Cabinet.

Energy

In 2008, oil, gas and coal generated approximately sixty- nine percent of New Zealand's gross energy supply and thirty -one per cent was generated from renewable energy, primarily hydroelectric power and geothermal power.

Agriculture

Agriculture has been and continues to be the main export industry in New Zealand. In the year to June 2009, dairy products accounted for 21% ($9.1  billion ) of total merchandise exports,and the largest company of the country,Fonterra, a dairy cooperative, controls almost one-third of the international dairy trade. Other agricultural items were meat 13.2%, wool 6.3%, fruit 3.5% and fishing 3.3%. New Zealand also has a thriving wine industry, which had a bumper year in 2007; wine became New Zealand's "12th most valuable export" in that year, overtaking wool exports.[Cows and sheep are rarely housed, but are sometimes fed supplements such as hay and silage, particularly in winter . Pigs are usually kept indoors, either in gestation crates, farrowing crates, fattening pens, or group housing.

Languages

Until 1987, English was New Zealand's only official language, and remains predominant in most settings; Māori became an official language under the 1987 Māori Language Act and New Zealand Sign Language under the New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006. New Zealand Sign Language became an official language of New Zealand the day after Royal Assent.The use of NZSL(New Zealand Sign Language) as a valid medium of instruction has not always been accepted by the Government, the Association of Teachers of the Deaf , or many parents . However, in light of much research into its validity as a language and much advocacy by deaf adults, parents of deaf children (both hearing and deaf) and educationalists, NZSL has since become — in tandem with English — part of the bilingual/bicultural approach used in public schools (including Kelston Deaf Education Centre and Van Asch Deaf Education Centre) since 1994. Victoria University of Wellington has courses in New Zealand Sign Language, although it has yet to develop a major program for it. AUT teaches a diploma course for NZSL interpreting.The two official spoken languages are also the most widely used; English is spoken by 98% of the population and Māori by 4.1%.Samoan is the most widely spoken non-official language (2.3%) followed by French, Hindi , Yue and Northern Chinese.New Zealand has an adult literacy rate of 99%,and 14.2% of the adult population has a bachelor's degree or higher .For 30.4% of the population, some form of secondary qualification is their highest , while 22.4% of New Zealanders have no formal qualification

Cities

• Auckland - "The City of Sails" - largest and most populated conurbation, with over a million in the metropolitan area, making it the largest in New Zealand by far
  
• Hamilton - 128km south of Auckland, capital of the Waikato, home to the Chiefs (super 14 rugby) and the Magic ( ANZ cup netball). On the banks of the mighty Waikato River . Leafy.
  
• Rotorua - famous for Maori culture, geysers and beautiful hot pools.
  
• Napier - "Art Deco capital of NZ" The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 . Rebuilt in the style of art deco. Also famous as a wine region especially Bordeaux style reds and Cape Kidnappers. Home to a renowned golf course and the gannet breeding grounds and wildlife sanctuary.
  
• Wellington - the national capital, also known as "The Windy City" - Parliament and the Beehive and the wonderful, free Te Papa museum.
  
• Nelson - Safe and friendly , with New Zealand's highest sunshine hours. Nelson is the geographic centre of the country and surrounded by incredible coastal and mountain scenary, three stunning national parks, vineyards and orchards. Nelson is also well known for its strong art culture and excellent cuisine.
  
• Christchurch - The Garden City and the Air Gateway to Antarctica as well as Gateway to the South Islands famous motorcycle rides.
  
• Queenstown - adrenalin and adventure capital of the world, where you can skydive, bungy jump , jet- boat , thrill yourself to your hearts content
  
• Dunedin - the Edinburgh of the South, proud of its Scots heritage, chocolate factory, Southern Albatross colony and its wonderful tramping tracks within a short drive from the CBD
  

Guide to Kiwi Slang

bach 
holiday home
 
mate  
buddy, friend
brassed off 
annoyed
 
no worries 
no need to worry
choice
very good
 
pakeha 
non-Maori New Zealander
crikey
wow!
 
rattle your dags 
hurry up
crook  
unwell
 
she’ll be right 
not a problem
cuppa  
cup of tea, coffee
 
stubby  
small bottle of beer
dairy  
corner store
 
stuffed  
really tired
dunny  
toilet
 
suss  
to figure out
fizzy drink 
soda pop
 
ta  
thanks
flash  
looking good
 
tata  
goodbye
good on ya, mate!
well done
 
take-aways 
fast food
good as gold
affirmative answer
 
take a hike
go away !
hard yakka
hard work
 
tea  
dinner
hunky dory 
everything’s fine
 
tiki tour   
scenic tour, roundabout way
jandal
thongs, flip -flops
 
tramping 
hiking
jersey   
sweater
 
tomato sauce 
ketchup

Maori Language

Aotearoa  
New Zealand: “Land of the Long White Cloud”
 
Tangata Whenua 
Original people, people belonging to the land
Aroha   
Love, compassion
 
Tangi   
Funeral, mourn
E noho ra 
Goodbye (from person leaving)
 
Taonga   
Treasured possession, anything precious
E haere ra
Goodbye (from person staying)
 
Tapu   
Sacred, not to be touched
Haere mai
Welcome !
 
Tena koe  
Formal greeting to one person
Haka   
War dance , challenge
 
Tena koutou  
Formal greeting to many people
Hapu   
Clan, sub- tribe
 
Tena tatou katoa
Formal inclusive greeting to everyone
Hui    
Gathering , meeting
 
Turangawaewae 
A place to stand , home
Iwi   
People, tribe
 
Wahine   
Woman
Kaumatua  
Elders
 
Waiata   
Song
Kia Ora
Hi!
 
Waka    
Canoe
Mana    
Authority, power
 
Whakapapa  
Genealogy
Marae
Meeting house complex
 
Whanau  
Extended family
Pakeha   
Non-Maori, European
 
Whare nui  
Meeting house
Coat Of Arms
Flag
New Zealand dollars