[zee-luh
nd] 
| a country in the S Pacific, SE of Australia, consisting of North Island, South Island, and adjacent small islands: a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 3,587,275; 103,416 sq. mi. (267,845 sq. km). Capital: Wellington. |
New Zealand  (click for larger image in new window) An island country in the southern Pacific Ocean southeast of Australia. Maori groups probably migrated to New Zealand from Polynesia beginning before A.D. 1400. Discovered by Abel Tasman in 1642, the islands were visited and explored by Capt. James Cook four times between 1769 and 1777. The British established their first permanent settlement in 1840 and claimed the region as a crown colony. New Zealand received dominion status in 1907, and became fully independent in 1931. Wellington is the capital and Auckland the largest city. Population: 4,120,000. New Zea'land·er n. |
Nation in the southern Pacific Ocean containing two principal islands — North Island and South Island — and several small outlying islands. Its capital is Wellington, and its largest city is Auckland.
Note: New Zealand is known for its sheep industry and spectacular scenery.