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Overview
Polynesian voyagers reached Aotearoa around 1250 – 1300 CE. British sovereignty was established by the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi. Modern New Zealand is a bicultural parliamentary democracy.
Basic Information
CapitalWellington
Population5.2 million
Area268,021 km²
CurrencyNew Zealand dollar (NZD)
LanguagesEnglish, Māori
RegionOceania
History Timeline
- c. 1300Polynesian arrival
- 1642Abel Tasman sights the coast
- 1840Treaty of Waitangi
- 1893First self-governing country to grant women the vote
Ancient Peoples
- Māori
- Moriori
Ancient Kingdoms
- Various iwi (tribal) polities
Empires
- British Empire
Religions
- Christianity
- Māori spirituality
Culture
Haka, whakapapa genealogies, Kiwi outdoors culture, film industry.
Language
English, Māori and NZ Sign Language are official.
Important Battles
- New Zealand Wars1845 – 1872
Anglo-Māori conflicts
Historical Figures
Kate Sheppard
1847 – 1934
Suffragist
Michael Joseph Savage
1935 – 1940
Social-welfare PM
Archaeological Sites
- Wairau Bar
- Kaitāia carving site
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Te Wahipounamu
- Tongariro NP
- New Zealand Subantarctic Islands
Dynasties
- Māori King Movement
Colonial Period
British colony 1840 – 1907.
Modern History
Constitutional monarchy under Charles III.