New Zealand is a stable parliamentary democracy, which recognizes the British monarch as head of state. It has a modern economy with many tourist conveniences and efficient local services. The majority of New Zealand's population is of European descent; the indigenous Māori are the largest minority, followed by Asians and non-Māori Polynesians. English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language are the official languages, with English predominant. Much of New Zealand's culture is derived from Māori and early British settlers. Early European art was dominated by landscapes and to a lesser extent portraits of Māori. A recent resurgence of Māori culture has seen their traditional arts of carving, weaving and tattooing become more mainstream. The country's culture has also been broadened by globalisation and increased immigration from the Pacific Islands and Asia. New Zealand's diverse landscape provides many opportunities for outdoor pursuits and has provided the backdrop for a number of big budget movies.
New Zealand Travel Guide
Top Destinations in New Zealand
Queenstown, Australia
Queenstown is a town in the West Coast region of the island of Tasmania. It is in a valley on the western slopes of Mount Owen on the West Coast Range. ... more
Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland is a tourist's paradise. The city is cosmopolitan and culturally fascinating and its mountains, rivers and ocean deep invites you to come and explore... more
Christchurch, New Zealand
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's third-most populous urban area. It lies one third of the way down the ... more
Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, sits near the North Island's southernmost point on the Cook Strait. A compact city, it encompasses a waterfront ... more
Milford Sound, New Zealand
Milford Sound is a fjord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island, within Fiordland National Park, Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve, and the Te ... more
Rotorua, New Zealand
Rotorua, a town set on its namesake lake on New Zealand's North Island, is renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture. In Te Puia's Whakarewarewa ... more
Wanaka, New Zealand
Wanaka is a town in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is situated at the southern end of Lake Wanaka, adjacent to the outflow of the lake ... more
Taupo, New Zealand
Taupo, a town near the centre of New Zealand's North Island, is distinguished by its lakefront setting and outdoor sports ranging from fishing to jet-boating. ... more
Dunedin, New Zealand
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. While Tauranga, Napier-Hastings and Hamilton ... more
Blenheim, New Zealand
Blenheim is a town on New Zealand's South Island. It's known as a gateway to the wineries of the Wairau Valley to the west. In town, the Marlborough Museum ... more
