New Zealand - a country in the south-western Pacific Ocean, located on two large islands (the North Island and the South Island) and a large number (approximately 700) adjacent smaller islands. The country's capital - the city of Wellington. The population of New Zealand is about 4,443,900 people. State is built on the principles of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy and is one of the world's developed countries.

Kingdom of New Zealand includes independent in government, but free association with New Zealand island of Cook Islands, Niue, and the non-self-governing territory of Tokelau and the Ross Antarctic Territory.

English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language are the official languages ​​of the country. English is the main language, and 96% of the population use it as such. Most of the books, newspapers and magazines are published in it, it also prevails in broadcast radio and television. Maori is the second official language. In 2006, the New Zealand Sign Language has received the status of the third official language.

In 2006, the New Zealand Sign Language was given the status of the third official language of the country.. New Zealand Sign Language - is a naturally occurring language used by deaf or hard of hearing persons for the purpose of communication. Served as the basis of his British Sign Language, and is recognized as one of the dialects of British and Australian sign languages. In everyday communication as of 2006 sign language used for more than 25 thousand people.

New Zealand has an international reputation as a country with a highly efficient and agricultural industry. Industrial animal products (especially dairy cattle and sheep), horticulture, wine and viticulture, forestry, became one of the main items of the national economy. Research and modern technology plays an important role in the sustainable competitiveness of New Zealand agricultural products and high demand in the international market.

Commercial fishing plays a big role in the life of New Zealanders, and in the economic development of the country. This largely determines the importance to New Zealand of its 200-mile exclusive economic zone, which is the main base for the country's fishermen.

Agriculture, commercial fishing, food and timber industries are the backbone of the economy and largely determine the direction of development and industrial production. Food Industry - the largest industrial sector by employment and extensive infrastructure in the economy of New Zealand. Total volumes of food products account for about 10% of GDP, and exports of the food industry about $ 15 billion

In today's culture of New Zealand special importance are still traditions and cultural influence peoples of the British Isles, and cultural principles inherent in most Western European nations, whose representatives at one time or another have moved to New Zealand. Among the latter are the strongest traditions of the Maori, and in recent decades, people from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, contribute to the development of Polynesian culture destinations in the country.

Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaun gahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu - the name of a small mountain in the North Island, one of the longest place names in the world, can be translated from the Maori language as the "top of the hill, where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, who rolled, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as the land eater, played on his nose flute to his beloved. " The word consists of 85 letters and recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. Often, the locals call the hill just "Taumata"