New Zealand is an independent state. It is situated southeast of Australia. It consists of North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, the Chatham Island, and several island groups. New Zealand has a total area of 103,736 square miles. Over 3,3 million people now live in the country. The capital of the country is Wellington. English is the universal language, although Maori is still spoken among the Maori population and is taught in the Maori schools. New Zealand has a temperate wet ocean climate. The chief rivers are the Waikato, the Wairu, the Rangitata, the Clutha, etc.













