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

Defence open case in teacher murder trial
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:53:51 +1200
The defence will open its case tomorrow in the trial of two teenage girls accused of the brutal slaying of a retired Bay of Plenty schoolteacher.Courtney Churchward, 18, and a 15-year-old girl whose name is suppressed, have pleaded...
Prominent Rotorua man killed after Whakatane fight
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:27:38 +1200
A homicide investigation has been launched by police after a man was found dead in Whakatane today. The 36-year-old, named Hawea Ralph Drummond Vercoe, was found outside a bar at around 2.30am this morning. Vercoe is a representative...
Shooting victim farewelled
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:16:47 +1200
Friends and family farewelled Nelson man Troy Minto yesterday just metres from where he was fatally shot a week ago.Mr Minto, 22, died from a single gunshot blast the chest in Branford Park during a reported argument over a woman.Among...
Man allegedly dragged dog behind scooter
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:12:52 +1200
A Christchurch man who allegedly padlocked a dog to his mobility scooter and dragged him along until his paws bled is to appear in court this week charged with animal cruelty.The man, believed to be in his 50s, was stopped by...
Teenager dies in death pact
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:00:20 +1200
As teenager is facing up to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to helping a close friend take his own life.The 17-year-old was charged with assisting suicide after the body of his 16-year-old friend was found at a Christchurch...
Teen, baby missing from Auckland
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:11:42 +1200
Police in south Auckland are appealing for help to find a missing 15-year-old girl and her three-month-old daughter.Ramarihi George, also known as Ramarihi Keelan, and Raleinah Mailo went missing from south Auckland yesterday.It...
Body discovered
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:00:00 +1200
Police say there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body in Invercargill on Friday night. The body was found in bush behind Southland Hospital. A police spokeswoman could not confirm whether gunshots...
Protesters march on city
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:00:18 +1200
Thousands packed Auckland's Queen St yesterday to protest against the Government's refusal to back a citizen-initiated referenda over the so-called anti-smacking law.A 50-year-old man was charged with disorderly behaviour and...
Petition for commuter train launched
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:00:00 +1200
A petition has been launched calling on the Government to support a commuter train service between Hamilton and Auckland. Jon Reeves, spokesperson for Waikato Trains Now, said the group was increasingly frustrated at the stonewalling...
Teacher who had baby to teen pupil keeps registration
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:37:48 +1200
A woman teacher, who had a baby with one of her 17-year-old students, has managed to hang on to her registration.The teacher tried to stop the incident going public to protect her now two-year-old child, but it came to light this...
Murder trial: Defence to open case
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +1200
The Crown has completed its case in the trial of two teens accused of murdering retired teacher John Rowe, 78, in Opotiki last year. Courtney Churchward, 18, and a 15-year-old girl with name suppression have both pleaded not guilty....
Competitor dies in cross-harbour swim
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:00:16 +1200
Two swimmers struggled in vain to save the life of a man who got into difficulty during a cross-harbour swimming race in Auckland yesterday.The man, believed to be in his late 50s, was plucked from the water by rescuers after...

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NZ-Bungy jump in Queenstown, New Zealand - Nevis