Living in NZ
New Zealand is about the same size as the UK. It is one of the world’s least crowded countries, with a population of only 4 million people.
The two main islands provide a landscape of contrasts, from golden beaches, sun-drenched vineyards and lush green rainforest in the North Island, to rugged mountain terrain, jewel-like lakes and spectacular fiords in the South Island. With unique wildlife and vast national parks, New Zealand is a natural paradise. The temperate climate and easy access to sea, rivers and mountains makes it a "must visit" for many sporting and outdoor activities.
New Zealand is world reknown for wine, food, fashion, sport, technology, agriculture and lifestyle. The international media have picked New Zealand as one of the hottest travel destinations in the world!
There are five main metropolitan areas, the biggest being Auckland, with a population of about 1.2 million. Following that comes the capital city, Wellington, with about 400,000, Christchurch with 400,000, Hamilton with 126,000 and Dunedin with 111,000.
The population is made up of roughly 80 percent European, 10 percent New Zealand Maori, and 4 percent Pacific Island, with other ethnic groups such as Chinese and Indian also represented. English is the main language, although Maori is also recognised as an official language.
The climate varies considerably throughout the country. Summer, which stretches from about November through to March, sees temperatures in the north averaging around 25o C (77o Fahrenheit)
The mountains in the South Island tend to make the weather more extreme there, but on the whole, New Zealand gets around 2,000 hours of sunshine each year.
Living in NZ - links
Immigration.govt.nz/migrant/SettlePack – provides information on housing; health; education; work; settling in; and more
Statistics.govt.nz – useful source of a wealth of information about NZ
Living in NZ - Immigration website
Info on housing, transport, living expenses.
Visiting in NZ - Pure New Zealand site
New Zealand Tourism Online - New
Zealand's most comprehensive online directory of tourism and travel companies.
New Zealand's Information Network - Scanning the nation for your Information - providing informativeinformation on Travel Tourism, Accommodation and Transportation along with comprehensive travel guides for popular destinations, activities and 'all things New Zealand'.