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Official Name of New Zealand: New Zealand
Government type in New Zealand: parliamentary democracy
Capital of New Zealand: Wellington
Primary Language in New Zealand: English, Maori
Currency in New Zealand: New Zealand dollar

The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances. About 80% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world.

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New Zealand destinations

» Akaroa Harbour
» Alexandra
» Ardmore
» Arrowtown
» Arthur's Point
» Ashburton
» Auckland
» Bay of Islands
» Belfast
» Birkenhead

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