CULTURAL COHERENCE AND DIVERSITY

The Maori influence permeates all layers of New Zealand culture
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Maori Culture

Oral history tells of a long voyage from Hawaiki (mythical homeland) in large ocean-going canoes, leading all the way to the new land of New Zealand. They expressed themselves through traditional arts and skills such as carving, weaving, and more. When the European colonists came to New Zealand approximately 200 years ago they brought religion, technology, and the English language. These sudden changes created tension between the two groups, thus the Maori established separate tribes, built fortified villages, developed agriculture, and weaponry. In 1840, Maori leaders signed the Treaty of Waitangi, intended to allow tribes to coexist peacefully with the European colonists, but unfortunately it was ignored once the land wars began in 1845. Later the Pakeha (European New Zealanders) sustained the treaty. Today New Zealand celebrates the public holiday of the signing of the treaty on February 6th. In present day New Zealand the native Maori populations are more numerically important and culturally visible. While urban living is on the rise, many Maori are committed to preserving their religion, and traditional arts. In the process Maori have adapted cultural aspects from Pakeha and vice vera. Today Maori is the official language of New Zealand, along with English. The lands culture is largely inherited from European customs, interwoven with Maori and Polynesian tradition.

Tapu means that the Whales are scared to the Maori culture
wiki-land.wikispaces.com

Traditions such as Maori carving, weaving and ta moko (tattoo) are still practised throughout the countryhttp://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/new-zealand-culture-maori/

Below is a video of the world famous Haka War Dance, a traditional Maori dance, performed by New Zealand's National Rugby team, named the All Blacks. Enjoy!

POPULATION AND SETTLEMENT

Pre-European Population and Early Days of Settlement

Polynesians, the Maori, first reached what we now know as New Zealand by 800 C.E. The actual size of the pre-European Maori population is uncertain. Captain Cook, who first visited New Zealand in 1769, estimated that there were about 100,000 Maoris, but he never visited some of the islands most populous centers. The figure of "about 50", often quoted as the European population of New Zealand in 1800. By 1815 the total of Europeans in New Zealand is believed to have been about 200. This increase reflects the expansion of trade and the growing numbers of traders settled ashore; the extension of whaling and sealing activities; and the establishment of the first mission. By the late 1830s the European population of New Zealand had risen to around 2,000. Due to the islands lush and fertile land it drew many British settlers. These new European arrivals caused tension between them and the Maori natives. In 1845 widespread Maori wars between the British broke out until 1870, with the British victorious and the Maori losing most of their land. 

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/population

Kupe is said to be the first Polynesian explorer to discover New Zealand. He then returned to his ancestral homeland, Hawaiki.

First Polynesian inhabitants arrive from Cook and Society Islands

http://www.dipity.com/everlasting1/The-History-of-New-Zealand/

Today

Today the total population has risen to 4.3 million and the Maoris, once considered to be a dying race, have a rate of natural increase twice that of the European population. Anglo-European migration has structured the distribution and concentration of contemporary populations. New Zealand is highly urbanized, most of the urban transformation came during the 20th Century, as the rural economy became less labor intensive and as opportunities for urban manufacturing and service employment increased. Past immigration movements are present in how the island scene is, with the majority of agricultural land devoted to livestock production, particularly sheep and cattle. The livestock outnumber people in New Zealand by a ratio of more than 20 to 1. Majority of its population are located in the middle latitudes rather than the tropics. More than 70 percent of the population lives on the North Island, with the Auckland region (1.1 million) dominating the metropolitan scene in the north. 80 percent of the population live in cities. Population issues that the residents face today are that their communities see many of their young people and professional leave for better employment and opportunities of the city.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10866858

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY

New Zealand is in the region of the world that is referred to as Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia. Originated from volcanic activity on the ocean floor and located near the center of the water hemisphere. It is usually considered part of Polynesia because of its original inhabitants, the Maori. Consists of two islands, North and South (Te-Ika-a-Maui and Te Wai Pounamu in Maori) to make up the 104,000 square miles of the country, about the size of the state Colorado. New Zealand is home to the southernmost national capital in the world, Wellington. New Zealand weather and climate is of paramount importance to the people of New Zealand, as many New Zealander's make their living from the land. New Zealand has mild temperatures, moderately high rainfall, and many hours of sunshine throughout most of the country. New Zealand's climate is dominated by two main geographical features: the mountains and the sea. The climate consists of mild altitude climates, marine west coast, and warm to cool summers. The country is known for its varied landscapes of rolling foothills and rugged mountains.

http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcnewzealand.htm

North Island

Mt. Taranaki

Te-Ika-a-Maui is 43,911 square miles in area, making it the worlds 14th largest island. Consists of twelve cities with Wellington being the capital. It contains beautiful active volcanic peaks, reaching heights more than 9,100ft, with Mt. Taranaki being one of its most famous ones attracting tourists from all around the world. The island's climate is subtropical, coastal lowlands are mild and wet year round. Volcanic peaks also create their own microclimates.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Island

South Island

Southern Alps

Te Wai Pounamu, sometimes called the "Mainland", is the largest of the two main islands with an area of 58,084 square miles. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean. The island is mantled by mountain glaciers and steeply sloping valleys, such as the famous Southern Alps on the western coast. The South is generally cooler than the North with seasonal Antarctic chill. Large variations of precipitation are represented all around the island creating unique landscapes like that of the Central Otago region.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Island

Central Otago Region

Environmental Problems

New Zealand, even with all its beauty and breath taking landscapes not all is well in the country. The Oceanic country deals with many conflicts that other parts of the world deal with too; coastal pollution and greenhouse gas pollution just being some of them. A major human-induced environmental problem that affects the country is deforestation, it limits land areas, creating rapid tree loss and resulting in soil erosion. Many of the issues that happen with in the country come from natural occurrences from Pacific Rim earthquakes to tropical cyclones. Along with past European colonization and recent economic globalization that has further pressed the regions natural resource base. The government has taken plans against global warming by taxing carbon emissions especially those regarding methane emissions due to its large livestock population.

Example of deforestation in New Zealand