18--Oceania--New+Zealand

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- 41 s 174 e -South Pacific Ocean South East of Australia -Surrounded by ocean -Lancaster to New Zealand = 8,829 miles -size Climate: -Lots of rain Summer -December from February - Very sunny Autumn -A little warmer than summer Winter -June till August -Very cold with more rain in the warmer areas Spring -September to November -Cold and frosty to warm and hot Major Physical Features -Volcano plateau in the center of the continent -boiling springs, geysers, and mud pools -Southern Alps -Lake Taupo Major Cultural Characteristics -Lack of crime and pollution -February 6 Waitangi Day -June 23 Maori New Years Food: · Lots of shell fish like scallops lobster · Venison and lamb · Having huge barbeques in deep pits in the ground · Sweet potatoes · Lots of wine

Traditional Cultures Maori (1300’s) Pakeha which were the British settlers that arrives in the early 1900’s

Major Cities Capital: Wellington Auckland: the most populated city and the center of industry, commerce, and international transportation

Type of government: Parliamentary representatives Democratic Head of State: Queen Elizaeth Prime Minister: John Key

= Economic Information = Economy Currency is the New Zealand dollar= .72 to the American dollar Natural Resources: Timber, natural gas, iron, sand, and coal Agricultural Products: Dairy, sheep, beef cattle, deer, goats, pigs, poultry, bees, vineyards, fruits, and vegetables Industries 1.) Manufacturing 275,000 people 2.) Real Estate 248,000 people 3.) Health care/ social assistance 220,000 people 4.) Other 210,000 people Food pricessing, wood/paper products, textiles, machinery, and tourism. Import partners: US, Australia, China, Canada, and Japan Imports: Crude oil, refined oil, cars, aircraft, automatic data processors, telephone equipment, and medical equipment.

Export Partners: Australia, Us, China, and Japan

Exports: Milk powder, sheep meat, crude oil, frozen beef, butter, cheese, fruit, wine, and wood. GDP Per Capital: $27,300 GDP: 114.9 Billion Unemployment Rate: 7.3% HDI: 0.943 (19th)

= Population Information = [] = = Population:4,213,418 Population Density:15/km2 Age Distribution: 0-14=20.7% 15-64= 66.5% 65+= 12.8%

Natural Rate Increase: .935% It will take 10.45 years for the country population to double Literacy Rate: 99% Infant Mortality Rate: 4.92/1000 Physical Quality of Life: 101.08

Ethnic Groups European=69.8% Maori= 7.9% Asian= 5.7% Pacific Islander= 4.4% Mixed= 7.8% Other= .5% Unknown= 3.8%

Religions Anglican= 14.9% Roman Catholic=12.4% Presbyterian=10.9% Methodist 2.9% Pentecostal=1.7% Baptist=1.3% Other Christian=9.4% Other=3.3% Unspecified=17.2% None=26%

Official Languages English Maori Sign Language

= Environmental Information =

There are many environmental issues that are in New Zealand. There are lots of forests being depleted for the large wood industry. About 2/3 of the total forest of New Zealand have been eliminated. There are lots of councils that have been made to help save the forest and get regulation on the industry companies. Another major problem is the extinction of animals, birds, and plants. In 2001 3 types of mammals and 44 types of birds were put on the endangered list. Along with that there were 165 different plants were added to the list as well. Many of these living things are getting to be extinct because plants and animals from other countries are taking over where they live. Another issue that was in the news a lot is the depletion of the ozone layer. There is a large hole in the ozone that is directly above New Zealand. There was a very extreme increase of the number of people that are getting skin cancer because of this. The people are advised to wear lot of s sunscreen whenever outside for a long period of time during the summer time. There is 23% less ozone over New Zealand then most of the world.

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= Human Rights Information =

In New Zealand there are many organizations that are working for the cause of human rights throughout the country. Some of these are the New Zealand Human Rights Commission and The Human Rights Foundation. The New Zealand Human Right Commission published and educates people about what human rights are. They investigate and dispute in courts about bring justice to people that are in courts for human rights issues. There were several acts that were put into play with the aspect of lowering the chance of discrimination. The Human Rights Act 1993 makes discrimination again people of sex, disabilities, age, race, or religious beliefs. The Civil Union Act in 2004 made it legal to have same sex marriages throughout the country. In 2009 there was a traveling human rights film festival that went around to cities showing movies about human rights around the world. In regards to Human Rights Watch with the ratification of New Zealand ten countries have ratified a treaty banning children soldiers. New Zealand is helping itself and the world with human rights.

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= Decision Statement =

In my group of New Zealand and Australia we decided to choose New Zealand. With the different types of land such as mountains, tropical areas, lots of planes, and geysers, there are lots of different natural things that it has to give. The different kinds of industries are very vast and stretch from milk to crude oil to vineyards. With all the resources from the areas with different climates there is a better way to keep the economy staying stable. Along with this reason there are others. Another reason why New Zealand would be a good stop to relocate is because their human rights organizations do very well. There is no major or much known type of violations with human rights. There are many good organizations that are in New Zealand or work with the country to help keep discriminated out of the any aspect of people lives. In Australia they sent the native people to harsh desert lands, and that’s not very in code with human rights. Last reason why New Zealand would be a better place to move to is because they work with fewer countries for imports and exports. I think that this is a good thing because it’s less foreign affairs to work with. This could add fewer problems during hard times. Along with the plentiful resources and variety of different lands, New Zealand has abundant products to share.