Where in the world is New Zealand?

Just in case you didn't know...
This will explain exactly where New Zealand is.
It will also explain about the Kiwi bird...

41° South and 174° East is the latitude and longitude of New Zealand's geographical location on the map.  These references cover 268,680 square kilometers.   We are located between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle.  These latitudes pass through what is called the temperate zone of the globe, however, our climate is significantly influenced by the surrounding blanket of the ocean that surrounds us. Our very mountainous terrain also plays a large role in determining our climate. 

One thing that does not affect our climate in any significant manner at all are any humanly generated (anthropomorphic) Carbon Dioxide emissions!  This in spite of a recent governments attempt to impose what we mockingly refer to as a 'fart tax'.  

New Zealand is an independent, self-governing democratic nation deep in the southern hemisphere.  You can find us in the South Pacific Ocean south east of Australia.

New Zealand consists of three, some might say four, because they include Stewart Island just off the southern tip of the South Island of New Zealand.  Our capital city is Wellington in the south of the North Island and our seat of government is located in a unique building we all the 'Beehive'.  No prizes for guessing the major form of activity which can be observed taking place in this aptly named edifice! 

Here is a map that will help.  As you can see we are in no way part of Australia.  Just because that particular oversized island (some people call it a continent) is bigger than us does not mean we are less important.  We are not.  We are very important.  We are Kiwi's.  We live in Kiwiland, New Zealand, Aotearoa.  Aotearoa is the Maori name for our country.  Maori were the earlier inhabitants of these islands.  You can read about the Maori people of  Aotearoa here: Te Ara: Maori.  They may have been the first, it's a hotly argued case as to whether they were or not.  There was at least one other race of people here, the Moriori, a race who have stubbornly refused to fade out of existence even though certain very aggressive attempts to annihilate them were perpetrated.   You can read about the Moriori here: Te Ara: Moriori.  If you would like to read more about New Zealand visit: Te Ara: The New Zealanders

TeAra.govt.nz is the official Encyclopedia of New Zealand and probably the very best online source of information about our very special country. 

Map of the South Pacific Showing Where New Zealand is. ▼

Another useful map purloined from www.worlatlas.com
(to whom I hereby give due credit)

...and also from the aforementioned source...

The Kiwi

Original, unique and very special

A Kiwi has: hair like feathers, almost non-existent wings and an excellent sense of smell. 

A Kiwi is: unlike any other bird.   It is found only in New Zealand.  It is the national bird of our very special country, New Zealand, and so, hence, we often refer to our land as, Kiwiland and to New Zealanders as "kiwis".

Enjoy!

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