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New Zealand History & CultureTHE LANDNew Zealanders claim they're the first on the globe each morning to see the sun rise, and located just opposite zero degrees on the Greenwich Meridian dateline, they may be right. New Zealand is called "Aotearoa" by its first human inhabitants, the Maoris. This translates into "the land of the long white cloud". When the Maoris first arrived in New Zealand, they first saw only a layer of clouds above the islands, before they saw any land at all. The cloud is an indication of New Zealand's climate, or location on the globe, both of which have a part to play in the country's culture, history, and modern character. Because of the island setting and abundant rainfall, New Zealand has lots of vegetation. Even today, much of this country is untouched, leaving a lush natural environment, of which 30 percent is protected by parks and reserves. The islands have no native land mammals...those you will find were brought by early Maoris and Europeans. Northland's forests contain massive Kauri trees, kiwis (the bird), and giant wetas, which are crickets that can't fly. Other climates of New Zealand include the Shrublands which are shorter forests that may once have been logged and are now making a comeback, coastal areas with rocky terrain and sandy beaches AND 11,300 miles of coastline, and mountain regions, ranging from 2,900 feet in the South Island to 4,270+ feet above sea level on the North Island. The mountain regions experience severe weather in all directions, from frigid conditions to dry heat and high winds. It's here that visitors will find Keas, or mountain parrots, who possess intelligence and playfulness, and therefore make for excellent bird-watching. In fact, New Zealand is a favorite destination for bird-watching tourists from around the world. Again, the island climate and isolated geographical location have made for unique evolutionary results. The birds have existed for a very long time, with no major predators, so many have lost the ability to fly. One examle is the kakapo, a New Zealand parrot that is unable to fly. The birds have also grown into some of the largest birds ever, thanks to lack of significant predators such as rats or cats. The moa can grow to be more than seven feet tall, but unfortunately were hunted into extinction a few hundred years ago. These days, native birds including the black robin and the takahe and kea are protected to ensure their survival for the years to come. |
