Geography of New Zealand

The Geography of New Zealand Location and physical setting Discovery and colonization Sir Roger Douglas and economic restructuring Cultural tensions

Located 2,000 km SE of Australia North and South Islands separated by the Cook Strait Central part of North Island dominated by volcanic plateau Southern Alps dominate South Island Mt Cook (3,754 m)

Geographic Overview Humid-temperate (no dry season – cool summer) climate predominantly (Cfb) Straddles the Pacific and Australian continental plates Earthquakes are the most common natural hazard – although ….. Land Use Arable Land 9% Permanent crop 5% Permanent pastures 50% Forests and Woodland 28% Other 8%

Source: US Geological Survey Please note that on Figure G-5 in your text – because of the scale of the map – it does not show that the margin between the Australian and Pacific plates actually cuts across the South Island. Source: US Geological Survey

Mt. Ruapehu

Lake Taupa

Evidence suggests that the Maori originally immigrated to New Zealand probably around 1200 AD from the Cook Islands, Society Islands, and Marquesas Islands in the Pacific Ocean. According to Maori legend, their ancestors set out together from a place in Polynesia in a fleet of seven large canoes. Before the arrival of European colonists in the late 18th century, the Maori had settled throughout New Zealand. The Maori were highly territorial and conflicts between groups (extended family groups) were common.

The Maori are integrated into New Zealand society today, although Maori and Pacific Islanders dominate the lower socio-economic classes. New Zealand’s class division is well illustrated in difference between two forms of rugby – rugby union and rugby league. New Zealand’s national rugby union team – called the All Blacks – perform a Maori Haka – a Maori challenge – prior to every international match. Some commentators refer to this a form of cultural appropriation.

Historical Overview Maöri arrive about 1,200 AD Abel Tasman December 1642 James Cook 1769-70 1790 Whaling basis established

Historical Overview (cont’d) Treaty of Waitangi 1840 Maöri Wars 1840 to 1872 Invention of freezer ships 1880 Dominion status 1907

Historical Overview (cont’d) Full autonomy 1947 Waitangi Tribunal 1980 Election of Labour 1984

New Zealand’s Social Democratic History World's first country to give women the right to vote (1893) Adopted old-age pensions (1898) National child welfare program (1907)

New Zealand’s Social Democratic History (cont’d) Socialized medicine (1941) Various social safety social nets (1938) 40-hour workweek Unemployment insurance Health insurance Survivor benefits

Current pop’n approx 4 million – 80% urban Four main cities “Pakeha” account for 75% of population, Maöri for 10% Fertility rate below the replacement rate Pacific Islander and Asian populations the fastest growing

- Australia and Japan most important Exports: - Australia and Japan most important - Dairy products, meat, fish and wool

Agricultural Exports Acc’t for 30% of exports (90% in ’80) Agr’l sector has restructured since ’85 Pastoral agriculture less important

New Zealand Wine: A Success Story Wine grapes introduced in 1819 Arrival of the Eastern Europeans Industry survives prohibition Expansion and restructuring

Regions Gisborne Hawke’s Bay Marlborough

Waitangi Auckland Wellington Christchurch Dunedin

Waitangi

Auckland

The Bee Hive Wellington

Christchurch

Dunedin

Life Expectancy Male 76.3 Female 81.1 Maori Male 68.9 Maori Female 73.2 Non-Maori Male 77.2 Non-Maori Female 81.9

Since the 1980s there has been a resurgence of the Maori culture Since the 1980s there has been a resurgence of the Maori culture. This is reflected in cultural events and reenactments and settlement of outstanding land claims via the Waitangi Tribunal.

Mt Cook is known as Aoraki by the Maori and stands at 3,754 metres, which makes this mountain the highest in New Zealand and Australasia. Sir Edmund Hillary (a New Zealander) the first man to climb Mt Everest gained his mountaineering experience on Mt Cook

From the outset, the country has been in the forefront in instituting social welfare legislation. New Zealand was the world's first country to give women the right to vote (1893). It adopted old-age pensions (1898); a national child welfare program (1907); social security for the aged, widows, and orphans, along with family benefit payments; minimum wages; a 40-hour workweek and unemployment and health insurance (1938); and socialized medicine (1941). In Dec. 2004, same-sex unions were recognized and given the same rights as married couples. See also New Zealand

Summary First colonized by Maöri, then by the British Parliamentary democracy Adopted a form of proportional representation Second tier economic power Economic development constrained by: Small population Distance from larger markets