Possible arrival dates for Polynesian settlers in New Zealand are the late 1200s and the mid-1300s, when they began to settle extensively. The Maori name for the nation is now Aotearoa, which is widely used. Legend has it that Kupe, the first Polynesian in New Zealand, named the canoe that he used to arrive to the country.

By the 1500s, when large numbers of Animals went extinct, competition for land and resources had caused sporadic violence between various Maori iwi (tribes). The first European to visit the islands was the Dutch explorer Abel TASMAN in 1642, but he sailed away after coming into contact with the native Maori. New Zealand was only ostensibly claimed by the UK, which also included it in Australia’s New South Wales. Though he had little legal authority, the UK appointed its first British Resident in New Zealand in 1832 due to worries about rising levels of lawlessness.

A group of Maori iwi from the North Island called the United Tribes of New Zealand declared their independence in 1835. They requested British protection because they thought that the French would soon move there and seize control. Over 500 Maori chiefs eventually signed the Treaty of Waitangi, which was negotiated by the British in 1840 to safeguard them, while many chiefs either refused to sign or were not asked to. The British believed that the Maori had given over their land to the UK when they signed the treaty in English, but subsequent translations of the document seemed to give the British less power, and land tenure disputes resulting from the treaty are still being actively discussed in New Zealand.

New Zealand has looked about severing some of its connections with the UK in recent years. A referendum to remove the Union Jack from the New Zealand flag was unsuccessful in 2015–16, with 57% of voters voting against it. There is an active minority movement advocating for the country to become a republic.

Location: Southeast of Australia, in the South Pacific Ocean, are the Oceania Islands with moderate climate and notable regional variations.

Natural resources
limestone, gold, electricity, coal, sand, iron ore, and natural gas.

With a history of immigration from Māori, European, Pacific Island, and Asian cultures, New Zealand is a friendly and varied nation. New Zealand’s diverse range of cultures, intriguing geological features, and rare plants and animals make it a fascinating place to visit.