1. Q: What is the 'Treaty of Waitangi', when was it signed and how did it get its name?
A: the 'Treaty of Waitangi' is a New Zealand's founding document. The Treaty is an agreement, in Maori and English, that was made between the British Crown and about 540 Maori rangatira (chiefs).
It takes its name from the place in the Bay of Islands where it was first signed, on 6 February 1840.
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/treaty/the-treaty-in-brief
2. Q: What is "weta" in New Zealand?
A: The weta is a rather large insect, it's also the heaviest insect in the world. While harmless to humans, its bite can be painful. It is a protected species, and, despite its repellent aspect, may not be harmed.
Tree Weta
Giant Weta
http://www.nz.com/new-zealand/guide-book/natural-history/weta.aspx
3. Q: What is the name of the film, which was entirely shot in New Zealand and is highly acclaimed around the world? Add more information about the film and the fimstars!
A: "Lord of the Rings". The film is in three parts. It's based on a book trilogy. The film is set in the fictional world of Middle-earth. The three films follow the hobbit Frodo Baggins as he and a Fellowship embark on a quest to destroy the One Ring, and thus ensure the destruction of its maker, the Dark Lord Sauron. The Fellowship becomes divided and Frodo continues the quest together with his loyal companion Sam and the treacherous Gollum. Meanwhile, the wizard Gandalf and Aragorn, heir in exile to the throne of Gondor, unite and rally the Free Peoples of Middle-earth, who are ultimately victorious in the War of the Ring.
The films were directed by Peter Jackson and distributed by New Line Cinema. They're considered to be one of the biggest and most ambitious movie projects ever undertaken, with an overall budget of $285 million, the entire project took eight years to make.
The main cast of the film consists of Viggo Mortensen, Elijah Wood, Sean Bean, Dominic Monaghan, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, John Rhys-Davies, Orlando Bloom, and Billy Boyd.
Trailer of the first movie:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Fun-Facts-About-New-Zealand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_film_trilogy
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120737/
4. Q: Describe the governmental system of New Zealand. Who is the head of the state in New Zealand? What are the official languages of the country?
A: New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy.
Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state and is titled Queen of New Zealand under the Royal Titles Act 1974.
Official languages:
English (98%)
Māori (4.2%)
NZ Sign Language (0.6%)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand
5. Q: Describe the present national flag of New Zealand.When was it made official? How many stars are there on New Zealand's flag and how are they positioned?
A: The current flag became the national flag in 1902. The New Zealand Flag is the symbol of the realm government and people of New Zealand. There are four five-pointed red stars positioned as the Southern Cross on the fly. The stars have white borders.
Its royal blue background is reminiscent of the blue sea and clear sky surrounding us. The stars of the Southern Cross emphasise this country's location in the South Pacific Ocean. The Union Flag gives recognition to historical foundations and the fact that New Zealand was once a British colony and dominion.
http://mch.govt.nz/nzflag/description.html
http://mch.govt.nz/nzflag/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_New_Zealand
6. Q: How many people use the Internet in New Zealand (2008)?
A: 3.047 million, in world's comparison they're in 58th place.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/nz.html#top
7. Q: How many national parks are in New Zealand? Provide their names with brief introductions.
A: There are 14 national parks in New Zealand. Fourteen spectacular national parks preserve New Zealand's natural heritage. Enshrining a huge variety of landscapes, vegetation and wildlife, parks allow you to discover the heart and soul of a country that will never be totally tamed.
1. Te Urewera
So wild it feels unexplored. Boating, fishing, and canoeing can be enjoyed on the lake, as well as trekking and permit hunting.
2.Egmont
New Zealand's most perfectly formed volcano, Mt Taranaki is often described as the country's 'most climbed mountain'.
3.Whanganui
A landscape of river valley systems with steep slopes, razor-sharp ridges and native lowland forest - this park is abundant in native birdlife.
4.Tongariro
A Trilogy of Volcanoes, the park's centrepiece, Mount Ruapehu rises dramatically from the surrounding alpine tussock and volcanic rock plateau.
5.Abel Tasman
Sea kayak or walk the coastal track and discover Abel Tasman's glittering gold sand beaches, turquoise water and spectacular ocean views.
6.Kahurangi
Kahurangi's glaciated mountain ranges and rich forest are home to an exceptional variety of native plants and wildlife.
7.Nelson Lakes
This national park offers tranquil beech forest, craggy mountains, clear streams and lakes.Activities include walking, hiking and fly-fishing for trout.
8.Paparoa
Paparoa National Park is best known for the dramatic Punakaiki Pancake rocks and blowholes.
9.Arthur's Pass
Enjoy the awesome alpine scenery of Arthur's Pass. Features include high mountains, wide braided rivers and steep gorges.
10.Westland/Tai Poutini
This park plunges from the highest peaks of the Southern Alps to the remote beaches of the West Coast. Enjoy a range of activities such as glacier walks and heli-hikes.
11.Aoraki/Mount Cook
Aoraki, Maori for 'Cloud Piercer' is New Zealand's highest mountain. Hike the trails or simply reflect on the beauty of the Southern Alps.
12.Mount Aspiring
With some of New Zealand's most scenic walks, the pinnacle of this park, Mount Aspiring/Tititea, is much loved by climbers and photographers.
13.Fiordland
One of the most dramatic and beautiful parts of New Zealand, explore Fiordlanc National Park by foot, sea kayak, boat or air.
14.Rakiura
A national park of unspoiled native ecosystems from the mountaintops to the sea - it is the only one like it in the world.
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/destinations/national-parks/national-parks-home.cfm
A: Kiwi means three things:
1. A bird.
Kiwi are flightless birds endemic to New Zealand.
Kiwi are by far the smallest living ratites and lay the largest egg in relation to their body size. There are five recognised species, all of which are endangered.
The kiwi is a national symbol of New Zealand.
2. A fruit.
The kiwifruit, often shortened to kiwi in some parts of the world, is an edible berry.
The most common cultivars of kiwifruit are oval, about the size of a large hen's egg. It has a fibrous, dull brown-green skin and bright green or golden flesh with rows of tiny, black, edible seeds. The fruit has a soft texture and a unique flavour, and today is a commercial crop in several countries, mainly in Italy, China, and New Zealand.
Kiwi is the nickname used internationally for people from New Zealand, as well as being a relatively common self-reference. The name derives from the kiwi, a flightless bird which is native to, and the national symbol of New Zealand. It is considered inoffensive to most.
Tuatara is a reptile endemic to New Zealand which, though it resembles most lizards, is actually part of a distinct lineage, order Sphenodontia. It's the most ancient of all living reptiles. It is even older than the dinosaurs. It can live up to 100 years.
Tuataras were once found all over New Zealand but now they only survive on offshore islands because of the rodents, wild cats and pigs that were introduced to the mainland.
http://www.nz.com/new-zealand/guide-book/natural-history/tuatara.aspx
http://www.nz.com/new-zealand/guide-book/language/dictionary.aspx#k
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuatara
9. Q: What are the most popular fields of sports in New Zealand? Give examples of the best athletes.
A: Rugby: Fred Allen, Dave Gallaher; cricket: Stephen Fleming, Richard Hadlee; soccer: Ken Armstrong, Bill Hume.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand#Sports
10. Q: Give at least 5 most interesting facts about New Zealand with illustrations.
A:
1. There are nine sheep to every human in New Zealand.
2. New Zealand claims the longest place name (85 letters) in the world - Taumata whakatangi hangakoauau o tamatea turi pukakapiki maunga horo nuku pokai whenua kitanatahu - which means: 'The hilltop ,where Tamatea with big knees, conqueror of mountains, eater of land, traveller over land and sea, played his koauau to his beloved'.
3. New Zealand invented bungee jumping.
4. New Zealand has the world's largest flightless parrot - the Kakapo; the worlds oldest reptile - a relic of Gondwanaland called the Tuatara; the biggest earthworms; the smallest bats - the only native land mammals; the heaviest insect - the Weta; some of the oldest trees; and some of the rarest birds, insects, and plants in the world.
5. New Zealand has won more Olympic gold medals, per capita, than any other country.
6. New Zealand is very broad and open minded with thier laws. In New Zealand homosexual marriage and prostitution are legal. Soliciting and keeping a brothel are also legal. Thier driving age is 15 and the legal age to have sex is 16. The drinking age is 18 but anyone under that age can drink with an adult present in restaurants.
7. First country to see the sunrise.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Fun-Facts-About-New-Zealand
http://nz.srichinmoycentre.org/sri_chinmoy_centres/new_zealand_facts
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