New Zealand is a country in the

south-west of the Pacific Ocean, consists of 2 large islands:

- North Island (with the capital - Wellington)

- South Island.

The early Polynesian settlers in New Zealand called the country Aotearoa, which means Land of the Long White Cloud.

New Zealand is a long way from any other country. For example, the closest country to the west, Australia, is about 2,000 kilometres away.

New Zealand is not a crowded country. There are more sheep than people there.

Most people live on North Island in the capital, Wellington or in Auckland.

People from New Zealand are called New Zealanders, or sometimes `kiwis'. This is because the national symbol of the county is a bird called the kiwi.

The kiwi has no wings and can't fly.

The most known haka in New Zealand is the Ka Mate haka, because it has traditionally been performed by the All Blacks before the matches.

The Ka Mate haka is classified as a haka taparahi - a ceremonial haka. Ka Mate is about the cunning ruse Te Rauparaha used to outwit his enemies, and may be interpreted as `a celebration of the triumph of live over death'.

The words of the Ka Mate are as follows:

Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!	I die! I die! I live! I live!
Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!	I die! I die! I live! I live!
Tenei te tangata puhuru huru	This is the hairy man
Nana nei i tiki mai	Who fetched the Sun
Whakawhiti te ra	And caused it to shine again
A upa ... ne! ka upa ... ne!	One upward step! Another upward step!
A upane kaupane whiti te ra!	An upward step, another.. the Sun shines !!!
Hi !!!

New Zealand has an excellent climate for all sorts of outdoor activities, and many people go there to try `extreme sports' such as bungee jumping.

New Zealanders are very proud of their national rugby team, the All Blacks. The team gets its name from the fact that it plays in black shirts, shorts and socks.

Maoris have a special dance called the Haka, when they stick their tongues out to frighten their enemies.

There are many types of the Haka dance.

The original people of New Zealand, who were living there before the Europeans arrived, are called Maoris.

Maoris say hello by pressing their noses together in a greeting called hongi.

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