New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island and the South Island —and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island country by area and lies east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and south of the islands of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. The country's varied topography and sharp mountain peaks, including the Southern Alps, owe much to tectonic uplift and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington, and its most populous city is Auckland.
new-zealand

Some of the key events about New Zealand

  • 1840
    The Treaty of Waitangi was signed, establishing a British Governor of New Zealand and recognizing Māori ownership of their lands
  • 1840
    The Treaty of Waitangi was signed, leading to ongoing disputes over land rights and sovereignty
  • 1863
    The New Zealand Wars began, resulting in significant loss of Māori land and life
  • 1886
    Mount Tarawera erupted, destroying several villages and killing approximately 120 people
  • 1893
    New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote
  • 1907
    New Zealand gained Dominion status within the British Empire, granting it greater autonomy
  • 1918
    The influenza pandemic reached New Zealand, causing about 9,000 deaths
  • 1931
    The Hawke's Bay earthquake struck, killing 256 people and devastating the cities of Napier and Hastings
  • 1947
    The country gained full statutory independence from Britain with the adoption of the Statute of Westminster
  • 1953
    New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest
  • 1953
    The Tangiwai disaster occurred when a railway bridge collapsed, killing 151 people
  • 1979
    An Air New Zealand sightseeing flight crashed into Mount Erebus in Antarctica, killing all 257 people on board
  • 1984
    The French government bombed the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior in Auckland harbor, killing one crew member
  • 1987
    New Zealand's nuclear-free legislation was passed, banning nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed ships from entering its ports
  • 1994
    The first MMP (Mixed Member Proportional) election was held, changing New Zealand's electoral system
  • 2004
    The Civil Union Act was passed, allowing same-sex and opposite-sex couples to enter into civil unions
  • 2010
    The Pike River Mine disaster occurred, resulting in the deaths of 29 miners
  • 2011
    A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch, killing 185 people and causing widespread destruction
  • 2013
    New Zealand became the 13th country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage
  • 2020
    New Zealand's response to the COVID-19 pandemic was widely praised for its effectiveness in controlling the spread of the virus

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.

New Zealand Latest news

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Society, Culture •   •  125 views
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Society •   •  181 views
UK MP Wins Ballot to Propose Assisted Dying Bill, Sparking Debate

UK MP Wins Ballot to Propose Assisted Dying Bill, Sparking Debate

Labour MP Jake Richards secures spot to introduce assisted dying legislation in UK Parliament. The move reignites discussions on end-of-life choices, with opposing views from various organizations.

Society, Politics • September 5 2024, 07:20 PM  •  211 views
Young Māori Woman Crowned Leader in Historic Succession

Young Māori Woman Crowned Leader in Historic Succession

Nga Wai Hono i te po Paki, 27, becomes the new Māori queen, succeeding her late father. The coronation marks a significant moment for indigenous rights and cultural preservation in New Zealand.

Politics, Culture • September 5 2024, 10:51 AM  •  129 views
Blair Backs EU Youth Mobility, Pressuring Labour's Brexit Stance

Blair Backs EU Youth Mobility, Pressuring Labour's Brexit Stance

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Economics, Politics • September 5 2024, 06:02 AM  •  110 views
Harris to Revise Democrat Capital Gains Tax Plan, Diverging from Biden's Proposal

Harris to Revise Democrat Capital Gains Tax Plan, Diverging from Biden's Proposal

Vice President Kamala Harris plans to modify the Democratic Party's approach to capital gains taxation, departing from President Biden's original post-election economic strategy. The revision aims to address opposition to the proposed $5 trillion tax increase.

Economics, Politics • September 4 2024, 07:54 PM  •  180 views
New Zealand Triples Tourist Entry Fee, Sparking Industry Concerns

New Zealand Triples Tourist Entry Fee, Sparking Industry Concerns

New Zealand to increase tourist entry fee from NZ$35 to NZ$100 in October 2024, aiming to boost conservation efforts. Tourism industry warns of potential negative impact on visitor numbers and economic recovery.

Business, Economics, Politics • September 3 2024, 05:00 PM  •  125 views
Kevin McCloud Criticizes Excessive Toilets and Oversized Homes

Kevin McCloud Criticizes Excessive Toilets and Oversized Homes

Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud expresses concerns about wasteful home designs, particularly excessive toilets and oversized spaces. He advocates for simpler, more efficient living spaces.

Society, Culture • September 3 2024, 06:13 AM  •  95 views
Green MP Proposes EU-Style Hemicycle for UK Parliament Redesign

Green MP Proposes EU-Style Hemicycle for UK Parliament Redesign

A Green Party MP suggests transforming the UK Parliament's chamber into a hemicycle, aiming to foster cooperation and efficiency. The proposal sparks debate on tradition versus modern parliamentary practices.

Society, Politics • August 25 2024, 08:56 PM  •  17 views
Probe Launched into Fatal Sinking of Tech Tycoon's Superyacht off Sicily

Probe Launched into Fatal Sinking of Tech Tycoon's Superyacht off Sicily

Prosecutors investigate the rapid sinking of Mike Lynch's yacht off Sicily's coast, resulting in six deaths. Questions arise about crew actions and passenger warnings during the incident.

Society, Business • August 24 2024, 08:03 PM  •  17 views
UK Debates Assisted Dying Legislation Amid Growing Public Support

UK Debates Assisted Dying Legislation Amid Growing Public Support

The UK grapples with potential assisted dying legislation, balancing public demand for end-of-life choices with concerns about healthcare impact and ethical implications.

Society, Politics • August 23 2024, 11:17 PM  •  0 views
Experienced Captain Survives Superyacht Sinking Off Sicily Coast

Experienced Captain Survives Superyacht Sinking Off Sicily Coast

A luxury superyacht owned by British tech tycoon Mike Lynch sank off Sicily's coast. The captain, James Cutfield, survived and is recovering. Seven others, including Lynch and his daughter, are feared dead.

Society, Business • August 21 2024, 11:51 AM  •  0 views