| Surface : 270,534
sq km (104,454 sq miles) New Zealand is 1930km (1200 miles) southeast
of Australia and consists of two major islands, the North Island
(114,470 sq km/44,197 sq miles) and the South Island (150,660 sq
km/58,170 sq miles), which are separated by Cook Strait. Stewart
Island (1750 sq km/676 sq miles) is located immediately south of the
South Island, and the Chatham Islands lie 800km (500 miles) to the
east of Christchurch. There are also four Associated Territories: The
Cook Islands, about 3500km (2175 miles) northeast of New Zealand; Niue,
920km (570 miles) west of the Cook Islands (area 260 sq km/100 sq
miles); Tokelau, three atolls about 960km (600 miles) northwest of
Niue (area 12 sq km/4 sq miles) and the Ross Dependency, which
consists of over 700,000 sq km (270,270 sq miles) of the Antarctic - |
| Population :
3.850.000 inhabitants |
| Electricity: 240
volts AC, 50Hz. Most hotels provide 110-volt AC sockets (rated at 20
watts) for electric razors only. |
| PASSPORTS:
Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the
intended period of stay required by all. VISAS:
Required by all except the following: nationals of the UK and other
British passport holders who have evidence of the right to live
permanently in the UK for visits of up to 6 months may be granted a
visitors permit on arrival; nationals of EU countries (except
nationals of the UK) for visits of up to 3 months (Portuguese
nationals must have right of residence in Portugal); nationals of
Andorra, Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Czech
Republic, Hong Kong (SAR or British Nationals Overseas passports),
Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea (Rep), Kuwait, Liechtenstein,
Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Norway, Oman, Qatar, San Marino,
Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, United
Arab Emirates, Uruguay, USA (including nationals from American Samoa
and Swains Island) and Vatican City for visits of up to 3 months;
nationals of Australia who hold a current Australian resident return
visa or nationals of New Zealand with a residence permit; |
| Climate: Subtropical
in the North and temperate in the South. The North has no extremes of
heat or cold but winter can be quite cool in the South, with snow in
the mountains. The eastern areas often experience drought conditions
in summer; the West, particularly in the South Island, has more rain. |
| Capital : Wellington
- Population: 339,747 |
| System :
Constitutional monarchy since 1907 - Legislative
power is held by the unicameral 120-seat House of Representatives,
which is elected for a three-year term. A system of mixed member
proportional representation was introduced at the election of October
1996, when the legislature increased from 99 to 120 seats. As in the
UK, the leader of the largest party in the House normally becomes
Prime Minister and holds executive power at the head of an executive
council (cabinet). The British monarch is the Head of State,
represented by the governor-general. |
| Main Cities : Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin |
| Languages : English, Maori |
| Religions : 60
per cent Christian: Anglican, Presbytarian, Roman Catholic and
Methodist are all represented. |
| Money : New
Zealand Dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of
NZ$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of NZ$2 and 1,
and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents. |
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+ 64 |
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New Zealand: GMT +
12 (GMT + 13 from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in
March). Chatham Island: GMT + 12.45 (GMT + 13.45 from the
last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March). Cook
Islands: GMT - 10. Niue: GMT - 11 |
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