New Zealand is a country in the south-western Pacific Ocean consisting of two large islands (the North Island and South Island) and many much smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. It is called Aotearoa in Māori, which translates as the Land of the Long White Cloud, but this name, while in common usage, has no legal recognition.

It is notable for its geographic isolation, being separated from Australia to the northwest by the Tasman Sea, some 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles) across. Its closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga.

The population is mostly of European descent, with Māori being the largest minority. Non-Māori Polynesian and Asian peoples are also significant minorities, especially in the cities.

More on [ New Zealand ]

nzherald.co.nz - National

Pray for Fiji, Samoan PM says
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:08:41 +1200
Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has some simple advice on how to deal with the head of Fiji's self-declared military government, Commodore Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama."We should pray a lot, a prayer with patience,"...
Worrell jury struggling to reach verdict
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:01:15 +1200
The jury hearing the case of a man charged with murdering a woman by deliberately driving his car into hers has told a judge it has having trouble reaching a majority verdict.Tony Worrell, 50, of Swanson in West Auckland, has...
Reaction: Hide's constituents speak out
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:50:10 +1200
Nzherald.co.nz hit the suburban streets of Rodney Hide's Epsom electorate today to gauge reaction to recent controversies surrounding the Minister.Hide has been criticised for taking his partner on a tax-payer funded $50,000 trip...
Six to face trial over man's death
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:46:57 +1200
Six people were today sent for trial over the killing of a Christchurch man following a fight in the city.Timothy John Constable, 24, was found critically injured after emergency services were called to a house in the suburb of...
Church fraud accused remanded on bail
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:45:24 +1200
A man who allegedly gambled away money that churchgoers thought they had donated for his medical treatment was today remanded on bail for two weeks.Gerard Francis Marychurch, 39, faced eight charges of obtaining money by deception,...
Court backs toga parade suspensions
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:11:45 +1200
Otago University acted within its powers when it suspended students because of their behaviour during this year's orientation week toga parade, the High Court has ruled.In February up to 2000 first-year students took part in the...
Court staff strike
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:03:01 +1200
More than 1800 court staff across New Zealand walked off the job this morning for the second time this week.They went on strike for two hours after 10am over their continuing pay dispute - the fourth strike in two weeks.The...
Teacher victim of brutal attack - police
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:36:04 +1200
Barbara Catherine Julian was the victim of a brutal attack in her own home.Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Malthus said a post-mortem examination has been carried out but would not say if a weapon was used in the killing."She...
Homicide probe launched into toddler's death
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:34:16 +1200
Police have launched a homicide investigation into the death of a two year-old.The Wanganui toddler, Karl Perigo-Check, was taken to hospital on October 24 where he died.Detective Inspector Chris Bensemann said a post-mortem...
Plane passengers evacuated over spill
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:20:30 +1200
Passengers were evacuated from a Auckland-bound Air New Zealand 737 flight in Wellington today after a substance spill - later found to be flour.Air New Zealand said passengers on flight NZ410 were due to depart Wellington for...
Man found dead had head injury
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:31:31 +1200
A man found dead yesterday after a night drinking at a Lower Hutt house had a small head injury which may have contributed to his death, say police.The 20-year-old local man was found dead in the sleepout of a Castlerea St house,...
Teens burned in garage explosion
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:13:42 +1200
Two Southland teenagers are being treated in Dunedin Hospital for severe burns after an explosion that blew the doors off the car they were in inside a garage.The blast buckled the garage door at the house in Baird St, Invercargill,...

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NZ-Bungy jump in Queenstown, New Zealand - Nevis