Global - Technology - Review

Known in the Maori language as Aotearoa – Land of the Long White Cloud, New Zealand’s isolated position in the South Pacific has given it a distinctive fauna, which added to its diverse and spectacular scenery, makes it a prime destination for travellers. South Island is dominated by the Southern Alps, rising to the peak of Mount Cook at twelve thousand feet, while the fjords in the south west are reminiscent of their Norwegian equivalents. The North Island has subtropical regions and geothermal activity at Rotorua. Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington are the largest cities. The most famous of New Zealand’s flightless birds, which evolved in a forested environment with few predators, is the kiwi, a national symbol. The temperate climate of the islands makes agriculture, particularly sheep and dairy farming, an important industry. A renewed interest and pride in the indigenous Maori culture has been evident in recent years. Rugby Union is by far the most popular sport, though New Zealand has produced sporting heroes in many fields. New Zealand’s unspoilt mountainous landscapes have made it a popular location for film makers; for example the Southern Alps featured as Middle Earth’s Misty Mountains in ‘Lord of the Rings’.