Geography of New Zealand

Introduction to Geography of New Zealand

New Zealand, an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. To the west, across about 1,100 miles (1,800 km) of the Tasman Sea, lies Australia; to the north are the islands of Melanesia and Polynesia; and to the south, Antarctica.

New Zealand consists mainly of three islands: the North Island, the South Island, and Stewart Island. The rest of New Zealand proper is made up of the Chatham Islands, Kermadec Islands, Campbell Island, and the uninhabited islands of Three Kings, Snares, Solander, Antipodes, Bounty, and Auckland.

Island territories, not part of New Zealand proper, are the Tokelau and Cook Islands and Niue Island. New Zealand also claims Ross Dependency, an area in Antarctica.

The length of New Zealand, measured as a gentle curve from the northern tip of the North Island to the southern end of Stewart Island, is slightly more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km). Maximum width, from east to west, is about 220 miles (355 km). Because of coastal indentations, however, no point is more than 80 miles (130 km) from the sea. Cook Strait separates the North and the South islands; Foveaux Strait lies between the South Island and Stewart Island. Other coastal waters include Hauraki Gulf, the Bay of Plenty, and Hawke Bay off the North Island; Tasman Bay, Pegasus Bay, and Canterbury Bight off the South Island.

Physical Geography

Like many other island chains in the Pacific, the islands of New Zealand are the exposed tops of mountains rising from the ocean floor. Some of the mountains on the North Island are of volcanic origin. The country lies astride the Pacific Ocean belt of recent mountain building and volcanic activity. Earthquakes occasionally occur, especially in the North Island, but few are destructive.

The North Island is fringed in places by coastal lowlands, particularly in the north and the southwest. Prevailing elsewhere are hills, plateaus, and mountains. The chief mountainous section is a chain of ranges in the east, running northeast-southwest from East Cape to the city of Wellington. Among its principal ranges are the Tararua, Ruahine, Huiarau, and Raukumara. Here, peaks generally rise 4,000 to 5,000 feet (1,200 to 1,500 m) above sea level.

The interior of the North Island consists largely of a volcanic plateau. Among its diverse landforms are the active volcanoes of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro, which range in height from 6,500 to 9,200 feet (1,980 to 2,800 m). To the west, near the coast, is Mount Egmont, a dormant volcanic cone reaching 8,258 feet (2,517 m).

The South Island is much more mountainous than the North. Along the west coast runs a massive mountain rampart. In the central part a narrow coastal lowland is fringed by the ice-capped Southern Alps. Here stands Mount Cook, at 12,349 feet (3,764 m) New Zealand's highest peak. Nearby is Tasman Glacier, largest of the Alps' numerous glaciers. The mountains continue to the north as the Victoria, Spenser, St. Arnaud, Tasman, Richmond, and Kaikoura ranges, and to the south as the Young, Richardson, Humboldt, and Livingstone ranges. Deep, glacier-cut fjords extend far inland along the southwest coast. The South Island's principal lowland is the Canterbury Plains along the east coast.

Nearly all of New Zealand's rivers are relatively short, swift, and unfit for navigation. They are, however, well suited to the development of hydroelectric power. In the North Island the longest rivers are the Waikato and the Wanganui; in the South Island, the Clutha and the Taieri. Taupo is the largest of the country's many lakes. It lies in the North Island's volcanic plateau, an area also known for its bubbling hot springs and spectacular geysers. Flanking the South Island's mountainous backbone are numerous elongated glacial lakes, including Te Anau and Wakatipu.

The inhabited areas of New Zealand have a temperate climate, with mild winters, warm to cool summers, and ample rainfall throughout the year. Among dominant climatic influences are New Zealand's middle-latitude location in the path of westerly winds and storms, its position in the midst of a vast ocean, and the topography of the land.

Temperatures at sea level are moderate throughout the year. Averages for January (the warmest month) and for July (the coldest) are about 68° F. (20° C.) and 52° F. (11° C.) at Auckland in the north; 63° F. (17° C.) and 46° F. (8° C.) at Wellington, in the central part; and 57° F. (14° C.) and 41° F. (5° C.) at Invercargill, in the south. Night frosts occur in winter in many lowland areas, particularly in the south, but snow rarely falls except in the mountains and their foothills.

Rainfall is heaviest in mountains exposed to the direct sweep of the westerly and northwesterly winds. In the Southern Alps rainfall may be as much as 300 inches (7,620 mm) a year. On the leeward slopes and on most of the lowlands, it generally averages between 25 and 60 inches (635 and 1,520 mm), depending on location. Only a small, inland area in the southern part of the South Island receives as little as 13 inches (330 mm) a year.

Plants and Animals

The major forms of vegetation in New Zealand are grasslands and forests. About one-fourth of the land area is in forests. Pines and broad-leaved evergreens predominate on the North Island and on the west coast of the South Island. In the mountainous eastern parts of the South Island, beech and mixed hardwood forests predominate. Only a small part of the forests is planted with non-native trees, but these account for more than half of the nation's forest products.

Several animals native to New Zealand are not found elsewhere. These are the flightless birds, such as the kiwi and notornis, and the tuatara lizard. There are many kinds of seabirds such as gulls, penguins, and gannets; a native bat; and many fresh-and saltwater fish. Early Maori immigrants introduced the dog and the rat. Animals introduced by Europeans include deer, rabbits, wild goats, pigs, opossums, several kinds of birds, and game fish. Rabbits, opossums, and deer are pests to agriculture and forestry.

Economy

In the past several decades, manufacturing industries have expanded rapidly in New Zealand and their growth has contributed greatly to the nation's rising standard of living. About 20 per cent of the labor force is employed in manufacturing.

The processing of agricultural products is the largest industry in value of production. Among the chief goods are processed meats, wool, dairy goods, fruits, grains, and vegetables. Other light industries include the manufacturing of clothing, textiles, and foot-wear, household appliances, pulp and paper products, rubber goods, tobacco products, and plastics.

Heavy industries are less developed and, to a large extent, rely heavily on imported raw materials and supplies. Among these industries are those making chemicals and fertilizers, metal products, refined petroleum products, automobiles, and farm machinery. New Zealand's first steel mill was opened in the late 1960's, near Auckland.

Less than one-tenth of the nation's workers are farmers or ranchers, but more than half of the land area is used for agriculture—most of it for pasture-land. New Zealand is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of sheep and related products such as wool and meat. Dairying and the raising of cattle for meat. are also important.

Only about 2 per cent of the farmland is used for crops—mostly for animal feed Crops grown mainly for human consumption include wheat, oats, barley, and potatoes. Less important are corn and peas, fruits such as apples and peaches, tobacco, and hops.

The North Island is the major producer of beef cattle and dairy products, while the South Island is the chief crop-growing region. Sheep farming is fairly evenly distributed between both islands. Farming is heavily mechanized, and crop yields are high. Lowland farms typically range in size from 100 to 200 acres (40 to 80 hectares) while livestock stations (ranches) often cover 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares) or more.

There are numerous kinds of fish in inland waters and the surrounding seas. The fishing industry, however, is not highly developed, and supplies mainly the local market. The main catch is orange roughy, red cod, snapper, and shellfish such as oysters, mussels, and rock lobster.

New Zealand has a variety of minerals, but few occur in commercially usable quantities. Coal is the most important. Gold was the leading mineral by value for many years, but production has declined greatly since the 1950's. Crude petroleum, natural gas, and iron-bearing sand (used in the iron and steel industry) are produced in moderate amounts. The only other resources of importance are salt and various kinds of sands, clays, and stone. Untapped minerals of potential value include zinc, nickel, copper, uranium, molybdenum, and lead.

The forest industries are highly developed. Among the many products produced are timber, pulp, paper, and plywood.

The nation's system of roads and highways has grown dramatically in recent decades. Highways connect most cities and towns. Almost all of the railway system is government-owned; railways connect the larger cities and towns. The North and South Islands are connected by ferries linking Wellington with Picton.

Air New Zealand, which is privately owned, provides domestic and international air service. Several other international airlines connect New Zealand with major countries and with many Pacific islands. The main commercial airports are at Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.

More than 40 ports handle coastal and international trade. Almost all of the international trade passes through the largest ports—at Auckland, Wellington, and Lyttelton (serving Christchurch). Also important are Picton, Napier, and Tauranga. Inter-island passenger service is available at Wellington, Picton, and Lyttelton. Major products shipped from New Zealand are wool, meat, dairy goods, hides, and lumber products, including pulp and newsprint. Chief imports are raw materials such as iron, steel, aluminum, and fuels, and finished goods such as heavy machinery and motor vehicles.

New Zealand's main trading partners are Australia, Japan, and the United States. Other important partners include Great Britain, Germany, and South Korea.

The People

Almost 80 percent of the people are of European—mostly British—descent. Foreign-born make up 20 percent, and 15 per cent are Maoris, of Polynesian origin. About 75 per cent of the people, including almost all of the Maoris, live on the North Island. The population density of New Zealand is about 36 persons per square mile (13.8 per km2), less than one-half that of the United States. More than 85 percent of the people live in urban areas.

The language of New Zealand is English. Maoris also speak Maori, a Malayo-Polynesian language.

There is no official religion in New Zealand, but Christianity is predominant. Anglicans make up about one-third of the population, followed in number by Presbyterians and Roman Catholics. Other denominations include the Methodist, Baptist, and Congregational churches, and the Churches of Christ. More than half of the Maoris are Christians.

Public school education in New Zealand is free from age 5 to age 19 and school attendance is compulsory from age 6 to age 15. Kindergartens and play centers, which children may attend without charge at age three, receive government subsidies. Universities depend largely on financial support from the state, but are controlled by independent councils.

The primary course is six years, followed by a two-year intermediate course. Secondary education may be from three to six years long. Financial aid is given to those obliged to live away from home while attending secondary school.

All the universities in New Zealand are supported by the government. They include Auckland; Waikato, at Hamilton; Victoria of Wellington; Massey, at Palmerston North; Canterbury, including the formerly separate Lincoln College of Agriculture, at Christchurch; and Otago, at Dunedin. Allowances are given university students on the basis of achievement, and boarding allowances are also available. There are also several institutes of technology and community colleges in New Zealand.

Most Maori children receive their educations in the regular school system. There are also special primary schools and district high schools for Maoris. Private church schools for Maoris receive government subsidies.

Early cultural development in New Zealand was largely confined to scientific research. Sir Julius von Haast and James Hector, geologists, and Frederick W. Hutton, biologist, were foremost among scientists who made New Zealand their special field of study. The Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington and Hocken Library in Dunedin have outstanding Pacific and New Zealand collections.

Although the English author Samuel Butler began his writing career while operating a sheep station (ranch) in New Zealand, native writers and artists of the 19th century went abroad, mainly to Britain, to establish careers. In the 20th century, however, a New Zealand literature developed. Among the early authors were William Satchell, F.O.V. Acheson, and Jane Mander. Fiction writing developed from the 1930's. Of notable New Zealand authors, Frank Sargeson is often considered foremost. Allen Curnow, New Zealand's most acclaimed poet, became prominent in the 1940's and 1950's.

State aid to the arts was begun in 1947 under Prime Minister Peter Fraser. Government grants are made to authors and publishers; the New Zealand Opera and Ballet companies; the Federation of Chamber Music Societies, largest organization of its type in the Southern Hemisphere; and to various orchestral, choral, and art organizations. The national arts council commissions and purchases works of art, subsidizes exhibitions, and gives training awards to young musicians and artists. The National Museum and the National Art Gallery in Wellington receive substantial government subsidies.

Organized amateur sport is the predominant recreational activity in New Zealand. Every community has its sports clubs, and every sport or game has its national governing body composed of district associations. Favorite sports are rugby football, cricket, bowls (lawn bowling), golf, tennis, and swimming. International rugby is the most popular spectator sport, with horse racing second.

Government

New Zealand has no formal constitution. Certain acts of the New Zealand Parliament have constitutional effect since they set forth the basic structure and fundamental principles of the government. The Royal Titles Act. of 1953 recognizes New Zealand as a monarchical state and as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Electoral Act of 1956 deals with elections and Parliament. The 1956 act has several “reserved sections” that can be repealed only by a 75 per cent majority of Parliament or by a popular referendum.

As in all other Commonwealth states that have retained the monarchical form of government, the British monarch is represented in New Zealand by a governor general. The governor general is appointed by the British monarch on the advice of New Zealand's executive council and is the nominal head of government. In the execution of executive powers, however, he or she must be guided by the advice of the executive council. The real executive power is exercised by the prime minister and the various other ministers who make up the executive council. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party in Parliament, and the other ministers also must be members of Parliament.

New Zealand's Parliament has only one house, the House of Representatives. Its 120 members are elected in a system of mixed member proportional representation, with 67 directly elected members (six of whom are elected in exclusively Maori elections) and 53 members chosen from party lists. Terms last three years but Parliament can be dissolved and new elections called at any time.

The judiciary consists of the Court of Appeal, the High Court, and the District courts. Besides these courts of general jurisdiction, there are courts in special fields, such as the Arbitration Court, the Maori Land Court, and the Young Persons Court. All judges are appointed by the governor-general on nomination of the cabinet.

For local government purposes, New Zealand is divided into counties, district councils, boroughs, and town districts. Some counties are subdivided into ridings.