Bulging eyes, aggressive folder-waving, threatening attacks and tattooed faces - that's what Europeans saw when they first landed on the wonderful green islands, which later united in an archipelago called New Zealand. It was not known to the Dutch and English gentlemen that the Maori men with their "dance" tested the loyalty of an uninvited guest. If he picks up the branches thrown at his feet and remains calm, then he can be allowed to stay. Otherwise, the stranger was considered an enemy, and he was simply eaten. The Europeans did not know the local customs, so they mistook the "disco" of the natives for an attack and responded with rifle fire.

Thus ended the expedition of Abel Tasman, who discovered the beautiful, but inhospitable islands. And only 147 years later, James Cook moored to these shores. He can be called a pioneer of the Pacific region, because the captain did not just sail from island to island, but made accurate maps of new lands. With the Maori cannibals in New Zealand, Cook found a common language. And with the Polynesians on the Hawaiian Islands he discovered, the navigator was less fortunate ...

The flora and fauna of New Zealand is amazing, as it consists almost entirely of unique species that are not found anywhere else. The flightless bird kiwi has become a symbol of the country. This fluffy "chicken" is depicted on banknotes, a famous fruit is named after her.

In England and the USA, immigrants from New Zealand were given the nickname kiwi, without, however, giving it a disparaging connotation. New Zealanders have always been champions of progress. For example, they were the first in the world to give women the right to vote. New Zealand was the first country to introduce retirement pensions, and it also launched a worldwide campaign to end nuclear weapons testing. By the way, the great Rutherford, the father of nuclear physics, was born in New Zealand, not far from Nelson.

Water is a must in New Zealand's landscapes. On the coast it is an ocean, and in the depths of the islands there are numerous lakes, geysers, underground rivers and waterfalls. Like in Kamchatka, New Zealanders have their own Valley of Geysers - the thermal zone of Rotorua on the North Island near the country's capital city of Wellington.

The ground scorched by underground heat is covered with hot steam. The main attraction for tourists is the steaming of fish and vegetables from a thermal spring. And it is worth driving a little further - you find yourself in the "jungle" of trees that look like ferns. Their trunk can barely wrap around ten people.

A completely different picture on the South Island: high rocky mountains, crowned with snow caps, are reflected in the blue water of the fjords. The most beautiful of them is Milford Sound. On a sunny day, the splashes of the waterfalls turn into a shining rainbow that surrounds you from all sides.

Like all islanders, New Zealanders exist somewhat apart. However, life in large expanses taught them to value not material well-being, but connections between people. The adage "meet by clothes" does not work in New Zealand, so you can find good friends in any roadside cafe.

National flag of New Zealand was developed in 1869 and officially approved on March 24, 1902. The flag is a rectangular panel in the ratio 1:2. The blue background of the flag is associated with the blue color of the sky and the sea surrounding the country. The four five-pointed stars of the constellation of the Southern Cross communicate with the country's location in the South Pacific. The flag of Great Britain in the upper left corner of the cloth speaks of the historical heritage and is generally accepted for many countries - the former British colonies.

Coat of arms of New Zealand is the official symbol of the country. The coat of arms was originally granted by the British King George V on August 26, 1911, and the current version was granted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1956.

The coat of arms is a shield held on one side by a blond woman holding the flag of New Zealand and on the other side by a Maori warrior. In the upper left corner of the shield there are four stars symbolizing the constellation of the Southern Cross (the same stars are used in the national flag); in the upper right corner - the golden fleece, symbolizing cattle breeding; in the lower left - a sheaf of wheat, symbolizing agriculture; in the lower right - two hammers, symbolizing mining and industry. Between the sides of the shield is a vertical stripe depicting three ships, symbolizing the importance of maritime trade to New Zealand and the immigrant background of New Zealanders. Above the shield is the crown of St. Edward. Under the shield are two branches of a fern with the inscription in English: "New Zealand". The coat of arms is associated with the unity of all cultures and peoples inhabiting the country, and with the commitment to the New Zealand monarchy.

Other characters

New Zealand two national anthems: "God Protect New Zealand" and "God save the queen". Although both have equal status, "God Defend New Zealand" is more commonly used.

The text "God Defend New Zealand" was written in 1870 by Thomas Bracken. The winner of the competition for music to the text, held in 1876, was the composer John Joseph Woods. The song gained popularity, and in 1940 the government of the country acquired the copyright for it and designated it as the national anthem. But it wasn't until 1977 that the song was legally approved as the second national anthem along with the British royal anthem.

The official version of the anthem also has a Maori translation. Traditionally, only the first verse is sung at state events, first the Maori version is heard, then the English version.

generally accepted unofficial national symbols countries are, of course, the unique kiwi birds and the silver cyathea plant (Cyathea dealbata), known in New Zealand everyday conversation as the "silver fern".

Along with the kiwi bird, silver fern images are popular and frequently used in the graphics of New Zealand national brands and logos.

National currency

New Zealand dollar (NZD)- not only the national currency of New Zealand, it also circulates in Niue, the Cook Islands, Tokelau and Pitcairn. Often, the New Zealand dollar is simply referred to as "kiwi" (after New Zealand's national bird). One dollar is made up of one hundred cents. Since 1999, special thin plastic has been used to make banknotes. On the obverse (front side) of New Zealand coins, Queen Elizabeth is depicted, and on the reverse, a kiwi bird, a great eastern heron, Cook's ship Endeavor and Maori carved wooden totems.

Kiwi (Apteryx) is the only genus of ratites in the family of the same name (Apterygidae G.R. GRAY, 1840) and the order of kiwi-like or wingless birds (Apterygiformes). Includes three (according to the latest data - five) endemic New Zealand species.

All kiwi species have strong four-toed legs and a long narrow beak with nostrils at the very tip. The wings are not developed, the tail is absent. Kiwi feathers are more like thick wool. Kiwis are nocturnal birds that live primarily by smell; vision is very poor. The appearance and habits of kiwis are so different from other birds that zoologist William Calder gave them the nickname "honorary mammals".

For a long time it was assumed that the closest relative of the kiwi is another New Zealand species of flightless birds - the extinct moa. However, recent studies of the complete mitochondrial DNA sequences of kiwis and their flightless relatives have found that these birds are genetically closer to emus and cassowaries than to ostriches, rhea and moas.

Presumably, the ancestors of modern kiwis came to New Zealand from Australasia later than moa - about 30 million years ago. According to molecular data, this could have happened even earlier - about 62 million years ago, but already after the separation of New Zealand from Gondwana (no later than 75 million years ago) and the divergence of the evolutionary branch of the moa (about 78 million years ago), which may indicate a primary the settlement of moa in New Zealand and the secondary - kiwi.

Kiwis, or wingless, are flightless, keelless birds. The sizes are small, with an ordinary chicken. Characterized by sexual dimorphism: females are larger than males. The body of a kiwi is pear-shaped, with a small head and a short neck. Weigh from 1.4 to 4 kg.

Kiwi is characterized by the greatest reduction of wings among birds: they are only 5 cm in length and are almost invisible among the plumage. However, the kiwi retained the habit of resting to hide its beak under the wing. The body of the bird is evenly covered with soft, gray or light brown feathers, more like wool. The tail is missing. The legs are four-fingered, short, but very strong, with sharp claws; their weight is about 1/3 of body weight. The skeleton is not pneumatic, the bones are heavy.

Kiwis do not mainly rely on sight - their eyes are very small, only 8 mm in diameter - but on developed hearing and smell. Among birds, only condors have a stronger sense of smell. The kiwi has a very long, flexible, thin, straight or slightly curved beak, which in males reaches a length of 95-105 mm, and in females - 110-120 mm. Kiwi nostrils open at the end of the beak (in other birds - at its base). The language is rudimentary. At the base of the beak there are organs of touch - sensitive bristles - vibrissae.

Kiwi live mainly in damp evergreen forests; long toes help them not to get stuck in marshy ground. In the most populated areas per 1 sq. km accounts for 4-5 birds. They lead an exclusively twilight and nocturnal lifestyle.

During the day, the kiwi hides in a dug hole, hollow or under the roots of trees. In the big gray kiwi, the burrows are a real labyrinth with several exits; other kiwi burrows are simpler, with one exit. There can be up to 50 shelters on a kiwi territory, which the bird changes every day. The kiwi burrow takes only a few weeks after it digs - during this time the grass and moss have time to grow, masking the entrance. Sometimes kiwis specially mask the nest, covering the entrance with leaves and twigs. During the day, they leave their shelters only in case of danger.

Secretive and timid during the day, these birds become aggressive at night. Kiwis are extremely territorial birds, and the mating pair, and especially the male, fiercely defends its nesting area from competitors, which can occupy from 2 to 100 hectares (near the rovi). The strong legs and beak of the kiwi are dangerous weapons, and fights between birds can end in death. However, serious fights between kiwis are rare; usually the nesting site changes "owner" only after the natural death of the male. Birds mark the boundaries of their area with the help of calls that can be heard at night for several kilometers. The opinion that kiwis are slow and clumsy birds is erroneous - in nature they are mobile and go around the entire nesting area in one night.

Kiwis go hunting about 30 minutes after sunset. Their food consists of insects, mollusks and earthworms, as well as fallen berries and fruits. Kiwis search for prey with the help of smell and touch - raking the ground with their feet and deeply plunging their beak into it, they literally "sniff out" worms and insects. On occasion, kiwis do not refuse small amphibians and crustaceans.

Kiwis are monogamous birds, they form pairs for at least 2-3 mating seasons, sometimes for life. A couple of times every three days it meets in the nesting hole and loudly calls to each other at night. The main mating season for kiwi lasts from June to March. Three weeks after fertilization, the female lays one egg (rarely two) in a hole or under the roots of a tree. Kiwi is the champion among birds in terms of the size of eggs laid: in an ordinary kiwi, it weighs up to 450 g, about 1/4 of the mass of the bird itself. The egg is white or greenish, 120 x 80 mm in size - this is about six times the size of a chicken egg, and contains the highest percentage of yolk among bird eggs - 65% (in most birds - 35-40%).

During gestation, the female eats three times as much as usual; 2-3 days before laying the egg, she stops eating because the egg takes up too much space inside her body. The laid egg is incubated by the male, who leaves it only for the time of feeding, for 2-3 hours; sometimes it is replaced by a female. In Stewart Island kiwis, which do not live in pairs, but in small stable groups, not only the male and female, but also other birds from the group, are engaged in incubation of eggs. Sometimes after 25 days the female lays a second egg.

The incubation period takes 75-85 days; it takes 2-3 days for the chick to get out of the shell with the help of its legs and beak. Chicks are born feathered not with down, but with feathers, and resemble miniature copies of adults. Parents usually do not care for the offspring and leave it immediately after hatching. For the first three days, the chick cannot stand on its feet and does not eat - subcutaneous reserves of the yolk allow it not to starve. By the fifth day, he begins to leave the nest, and by the 10-14th day, he begins to search for food on his own.

For the first six weeks of life, the kiwi chick can feed during the daytime, then it switches to a nocturnal lifestyle. Young kiwis are practically defenseless - up to 90% of birds die in the first six months of life, and 70% of them become prey to predators. Young kiwis grow slowly: only at 4-5 years old do they reach full size. Sexual maturity occurs - in males at 18 months, and in females at 2-3 years. But females usually begin to lay eggs only at 3-5 years. Kiwi life expectancy is high - up to 50-60 years.

Kiwis are found only in New Zealand. Northern kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) inhabits the North Island, common (A. australis), large gray (A. haasti) and rowi (A. rowi) - South Island, while the small kiwi (A. oweni) is found only on the island Kapiti, from where he is settled on some other isolated islands.

Due to the secretive lifestyle, it is very difficult to meet this bird in nature. It is not surprising that the catastrophic decline in its numbers went unnoticed for a long time.

Scientists estimate that about 1000 years ago, more than 12 million kiwi inhabited the forests of New Zealand; by 2004 their population had dwindled to 70,000 individuals. Until recently, kiwis were dying out at a rate of up to 6% of the population per year; mainly because of the predators brought to the islands by Europeans - cats, dogs, weasels, and also because of the reduction in forest area. By themselves, kiwis are very hardy birds that are not very susceptible to disease and are able to survive serious environmental changes.

Measures were taken to restore the number of this bird - in 1991, the state program for the restoration of kiwi (eng. Kiwi Recovery Program) was launched. As a result of protective measures, the number of kiwis surviving to adulthood increased from 5% (1991) to 60% (1998). Activities to repopulate the kiwi's range include captive breeding of the bird (the first chicks were only bred in captivity in 1989) and predator control.

Three species of kiwi, common, large gray and small, are listed in the international Red Book with the status of vulnerable (Vulnerable), and a new species of northern kiwi - as endangered (Endangered). Rovi has Nationally Critical status.

The kiwi is the national and unofficial emblem of New Zealand. It is a favorite symbol of New Zealand culture, depicted on coins, postage stamps, etc. "Kiwi" (English kiwis) is a comic nickname for the New Zealanders themselves. The New Zealand fruit plant kiwi got its name from the similarity of the shape of its pubescent fruit with the body of the bird of the same name.

On the world map, it says that this is an island state located on two large islands of the same name, after which it got its name. At the same time, the mountains of New Zealand occupy ¾ of the entire territory, and its nature was recognized as the most exotic and unusual.

On a fairly small area there are all the splendors of nature, grottoes with underground lakes and rivers, glacial mountains, geysers with healing mud and waterfalls, forests of incredible beauty, endless beaches, and also rare.

Symbol of New Zealand- this is a flightless, small bird - kiwi. State programs in the field of ecology were able to preserve nature in its original form even in the vicinity of large cities. In agriculture, the main place is occupied by sheep breeding and animal husbandry, throughout the year animals graze in the meadows, thanks to which meat and dairy products become more healthy and tasty.

Holidays in New Zealand will be unforgettable, as it is a culturally developed country, which is famous for its historical monuments.

Capital of New Zealand- the city of Wellington, its main attractions include the Royal Ballet, the New Zealand Opera House and the complex of Parliament buildings.

New Zealand cities numerous, one of them is Auckland, it is located on a narrow isthmus between two bays. The city is the largest in New Zealand. Views from the city of numerous sailboats and yachts in the bay make it a real visiting card country.

City of Napier It is extremely interesting for its unique architecture, painted pretty houses, and excellent New Zealand wine is also made here.

One lake in New Zealand borders on the city of Rotorau, right next to it there is a valley of geysers, which is the main attraction not only of the city, but also of the country. Here is the cultural center of the indigenous Maori population "Maori Village", as well as a thermal park.

Islands of New Zealand suitable for all lovers of active and extreme recreation, mountaineering, rafting on the underground rivers of the Waitomo cave, diving, rafting, zorbing, yachting, skiing and snowboarding. In this place, difficult routes are laid through impenetrable forests and mountain paths, past waterfalls and mountain rivers.

New Zealand is a safe country. The people of New Zealand are friendly, welcoming and treat all tourists very well. Perfect cleanliness reigns on the streets of the city. There are no poisonous snakes and dangerous animals, however, on some islands poisonous spiders "katilo" can be found.

Prices in stores and the standard of living are comparable to European ones, and in some ways even lower, only cigarettes and alcohol are expensive here. Tap water does not need additional treatment and is immediately ready for use. The time spent in New Zealand will be filled with unforgettable impressions and acquaintance with incredibly beautiful nature.

Climate of New Zealand

Weather in New Zealand on each of the two islands is quite different from each other. So, if a rather mild subtropical climate prevails on the North Island, then the South Island is, in fact, in the temperate zone, where it can be quite cool. Also, a rather important climatic factor on the South Island is the presence of the Southern Alps ridge, due to which western cold winds do not fall on the flat part of the island, turning the eastern part of the island into the driest in the country.

Most of the small islands are in the Tasman Sea. As a result of the warm East Australian current passing through here, they have a tropical climate. Throughout the year, precipitation falls fairly evenly, with a slight decrease in their level in the summer months. The average rainfall is 600-1600 millimeters per year. The average annual temperature of New Zealand directly depends on the island: in the North - about +16, in the South - +10. In the southern hemisphere, as you know, the winter months are August, July and June, which is why July is the coldest month in the country. Especially cold with the onset of winter mountainous areas of the South Island. It is warmest on the islands in February and January, as they have it in summer. The annual temperature range in the largest city of the country, Auckland, and in the capital of New Zealand, Wellington, is approximately 30 degrees, with the lowest temperatures around zero and the highest around +30.

New Zealand - attractions

The sights of New Zealand are very diverse, here are just a few of them:

Auckland's main park, it is located in the suburbs of the city of Grafton and covers an area equal to 75 hectares. The park is the oldest in the city. It was founded in the 40s of the 19th century, and is located around the Pukekawa volcano - the oldest non-active volcano in the Auckland volcanic region. From the first ever rugby league match to the visit of the Pope and Queen Elizabeth II, the park has witnessed many interesting events.

Military History Museum- the main museum in all of New Zealand, it has collected a unique collection of exhibits dedicated to all the main episodes of the country's history. True, in addition to military exhibits, in the museum you can see both household and natural science artifacts that are part of the country's history.

Maritime National Museum- the main New Zealand maritime museum is located at the Hobson shipyard in Auckland. It covers the entire history of the country, which was in one way or another connected with the sea. From the first Polynesian settlers to modern yachtsmen who regularly win in various regional and world regattas. Also, the museum's collection was devoted to the history of navigation, maritime trade in its various forms, whaling, water rescue and much more.