The introduction of New Zealand【新西兰中英文简介】
新西兰（英语：New Zealand），又译纽西兰，又称奥特亚罗瓦（毛利语：Aotearoa），是位于太平洋西南部的一个岛屿国家，首都为惠灵顿，但最大的城市为奥克兰都会区。新西兰谈枣主要由两大岛屿组成租敬，即北岛（Te Ika-a-Māui[7]）和南岛（Te Waipounamu[7]），两岛以库克海峡分隔，首都惠灵顿即位于北岛末端处，除此之外还包含了一些其他小的岛屿。
新西兰与澳大利亚隔塔斯曼海相望，距离澳大利亚东海岸约1500公里，与南太平洋群岛的新喀里多尼亚、汤加和斐济相隔大约1000公里，所以特殊的地理位置使得新西兰成为最后几个被人类聚居的地区之一，也因为人口都是以欧洲裔移民为主，是少数不位于欧洲的白人国家。野生生物由于长时间的与世隔离，新西含型拆兰发展出了与众不同且具有多样性的生态环境。由于陆地构造隆升（Tectonicuplift）及火山喷发，新西兰地形多变，南阿尔卑斯山脉纵贯南岛中西部。新西兰风景优美，气候宜人，旅游胜地遍布。在2014年联合国开发计划署公布的人类发展指数报告中，新西兰排名全球第7位。
New Zealand is an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses―the North Island (or Te Ika-a-Māui), and the South Island (or Te Waipounamu)―and around 600 smaller islands. New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometres (900 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga.
Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settledby humans. During its long period of isolation, New Zealand developed adistinct biodiversity of animal, fungal and plant life. The country's varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks, such as the Southern Alps, owe much to the tectonic uplift of land and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington, while its most populous city is Auckland.
New Zealand is a developed country and ranks highlyin international comparisons of national performance, such as health,education, economic freedom and quality of life. Since the 1980s, NewZealand has transformed from an agrarian, regulated economy to a market economy. Nationally, legislative authority is vested in an elected, unicameral Parliament, while executive political power is exercised by the Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, who is currently Bill English. Queen Elizabeth II is the country's head of state and is represented by a governorgeneral, currently Dame Patsy Reddy. In addition, New Zealand is organised into 11 regional councils and 67 territorial authorities for local government purposes.
New Zealand is a country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two large islands (the North Island and the South Island) and numerous smaller islands. most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands. In Māori. New Zealand has come to be known as Aotearoa. which is usually translated into English as The Land of the Long White Cloud. The Realm of New Zealand also includes the Cook Islands and Niue. which are self-governing. but in free association, Tokelau, and the Ross Dependency (New Zealand＇s territorial claim in Antarctica).
New Zealand is notable for its geographic isolation. being separated from Australia to the northwest by the Tasman Sea. approximately 2000 kilometres (1250 miles) across. Its closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia. Fiji. and Tonga.
The population is mostly of European descent. with the indigenous Māori being the largest minority. Non-Māori Polynesian and Asian people are also significant minorities. especially in the cities. Elizabeth II. as the Queen of New Zealand. is the Head of State and is represented. in her absence. by a non-partisan Governor-General, the Queen ＇reigns but does not rule＇. so she has no real political influence. Political power is held by the democratically-elected Parliament of New Zealand under the leadership of the Prime Minister who is the Head of Government.
