New Zealand

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THE NEW ZEALAND PORTAL

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New Zealand or Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud, is a country of two large islands and many much smaller islands in the south-western Pacific Ocean. Among South Pacific nations, New Zealand has the largest and most industrialised economy and is second only to Papua New Guinea in population. New Zealand is notable for its isolation, being separated from Australia on the northwest by the Tasman Sea, some 2,000 km wide. The closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga.

Elizabeth II is the Queen of New Zealand and is represented in the country by a non-political Governor-General. Political power is held by the Prime Minister who is leader of the Government in the democratically elected Parliament of New Zealand. The monarch's Realm of New Zealand also includes the Cook Islands and Niue, which are entirely self-governing; Tokelau, and New Zealand's claim in Antarctica.

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New Plymouth is the port and main city in the Taranaki region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The area where New Plymouth was founded had been the home for several Maori iwi for centuries. The ship William Bryant arrived in 1840 to disembark the first of the European settlers. The newcomers found it easy to purchase land at first, but as the years passed more and more Maori-owned fertile farming land was wanted. Many Maori were not interested in selling and this led to ten years of war in the area - see First Taranaki War and Second Taranaki War.

The city is a service centre for the region's principle economic activities including intensive pastoral activities (mainly dairy farming) as well as oil, gas and petrochemical exploration and production. New Plymouth is also a bustling financial centre as the home of the Taranaki Savings Bank. The population is about 49,000. Notable features are the excellent botanic gardens, a controversial 45 m high artwork called the wind wand designed by Len Lye, and the picturesque views of Mount Taranaki.

Recently featured: Apirana Ngata · History of aerial topdressing in New Zealand · New Zealand cuisine · Archive

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The Great Moss Swamp lies in the Maniototo, close to the former gold mining route of the Old Dunstan Road, 60 kilometres to the northwest of Dunedin city centre. The swamp lies in a depression between the southwest edge of the Rock and Pillar Range and the northeastern corner of the Lammermoor Range.

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Did you know...

...that the sting of New Zealand's ongaonga or tree nettle can be fatal?

...that New Zealand's highest mountain is Aoraki/Mt Cook, at 3,754 metres?

...that while New Zealand rates number 5 on the list of total number of sheep produced, it has the highest number of sheep per-capita?

...that New Zealand’s longest serving Prime Minister was Richard Seddon?

...that the New Zealand mud snail has become an invasive pest species in Australia, Europe and North America?

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In the news

March 20: David Parker resigns as Attorney-General after publicity about an incorrect declaration he filed with the Companies Office.
March 17: A report on Auckland traffic congestion suggests charges of $3-$6 for a vehicle to enter the Auckland isthmus, or a $10 surcharge on all parking in the CBD.
March 17: DoC starts an emergency evacuation of Raoul Island after one of the island's volcanos erupts. One person is missing.
March 15: The 2006 Commonwealth Games opens in Melbourne. New Zealand is represented by 255 athletes, its largest team ever to a Commonwealth Games.
March 7: The Census is held. For the first time, respondents had the option of completing their census form via the internet rather than by a printed form.

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New Zealand on Wikinews

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WikiProjects

New Zealand

New Zealand Wikipedians' Notice Board • New Zealand Wikipedians • New New Zealand articles

New Zealand WikiProjects

WikiProject New Zealand • WikiProject New Zealand places

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Things you can do

Here are some Open tasks:

Requests: Rowing in New Zealand, Winebox Inquiry, Bastion Point, Anand Satyanand
"Missing pages": Paraparaumu Beach, Max Cryer, Ray Columbus, Truby King, Tohunga, Tukutuku, Maoritanga, Kainga, Nga Tai, Te Arawa, Waitaha, Peter Ellis
Requested pictures: 1981 Springbok Tour, Tauranga, Whangarei, Royal Commission on the Electoral System, Footrot Flats

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New Zealand topics

History	Timeline \| Treaty of Waitangi \| Land Wars \| Antarctic history
Geography	Cities \| Islands \| Mountains \| Regions \| Rivers \| Ecoregions \| National Parks \| Marine reserves \| Lakes \| Caves
Government	Constitution \| Foreign relations \| Military \| Electoral system \| Honours
Politics	Political parties (Labour, National, New Zealand First, Greens, Māori Party \| ACT \| United Future) \| Elections
Economy	Companies \| Communications \| Transport \| Reserve Bank \| Stock Exchange
Culture	Māori culture \| New Zealand English \| Cinema \| Cuisine \| Education \| Literature \| Music \| Holidays \| Public broadcasting \| Sport \| Wine
Society	Demographics \| Māori \| Pākehā \| Gay rights
Biodiversity	Animals \| plants \| Extinct animals