Life in New Zealand

New Zealand is the youngest country on earth. It located in the South Pacific approximately 1600 kilometers east of Australia. The country consists of two main islands, the North and South Islands, which are together similar in size to Japan or Britain. New Zealand’s climate is oceanic, without extremes of hot or cold. Most parts of the country enjoy ample sunshine and rainfall, although the weather is changeable. The country is stable and safe. It is a country of natural beauty.

There are about 4.5 million New Zealanders of all races, but predominantly of European and Polynesian origin. New Zealand has a unique and dynamic culture. The culture of its indigenous Maori people affects the language, the arts, and even the accents of all New Zealanders. Their love of the outdoors, sports and arts make New Zealanders and their culture unique in the world.

With vast open spaces filled with stunning rugged landscapes, gorgeous beaches, often spectacular geothermal and volcanic activity, a temperate climate and fascinating animal and plant life, it is no surprise that New Zealand’s pure natural environment is so attractive to visitors from other countries.

Major Cities

The cities are quiet, clean and beautiful and ideal for studying in. The climate is temperate with pleasant seasonal changes conducive to study and recreation.

Auckland(the commercial
capital and business Hub) Wellington (The Coolest Little
Capital) Christchurch Dunedin

Education System

In New Zealand students are supported in their learning. Students are encouraged to reflect on what they learn and to share their learning with other students. Teachers help to fit new knowledge into what the students already know.

• Courses are available for academic, professional and vocational studies at universities, polytechnics and private training establishments.
• Eighteen institutions in New Zealand are part of the polytechnic system and provide education and training in a broad range of industry and occupation based vocational studies. Many polytechnics offer undergraduate degree programs as well.
• New Zealand has eight universities offering degree programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in academic and professional studies.
• There are also about 600 private tertiary institutes and private training providers.

Politics

New Zealand is an independent parliamentary democracy within the British Commonwealth. The formal head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented by a New Zealander as Governor-General. The capital city and seat of government is Wellington.

Economics

New Zealand has a worldwide reputation for agricultural products. Meat and wool are produced from 53 million sheep, and meat and dairy products from more than 8 million cattle. Almost half of New Zealand’s export earnings are derived from farming. Other major exports are timber and timber products, fish and horticultural produce. Tourism and education have increased dramatically in significance over the past decade and are now major earners for New Zealand. Other growth areas include the application of new technology, particularly information technology, genetics and biochemistry, biomedical science, industrial chemistry and areas of high-tech physics. The New Zealand dollar is stable and has a very favorable exchange rate with most countries.

Leisure

New Zealand is often considered an adventure playground and mountain biking, surfboarding, bungee jumping, snowboarding, skiing and hiking are popular ways to enjoy the great outdoors. Common sports include rugby, netball, cricket, squash, sailing and soccer. New Zealand maintains a high professional standard in a number of sports notably Sailing (The America’s Cup holders) and Rugby (The All Blacks). New Zealand, well known for its natural beauty and for being the stunning location for many big budget films (e.g. The Lord of the Rings), offers an incredibly diverse environment. New Zealand offers geographical diversity with the volcanic plateau in the middle of the North Island to the coastal beauty of the lower North Island, the golden sands of the top of the South Island and the breath-taking mountains of the Southern Alps then the rugged country and fiords of the far south.

New Zealand offers a temperate climate all year round but the many mountains offer skiing and snow-boarding in the winter and in the summer it is possible, in the same day, to surf in the morning and visit a glacier in afternoon.