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The two official languages of New Zealand are English and Maori. English is
the language of day-to-day business within New Zealand, a remnant of ties to
the British Commonwealth. Maori is a Polynesian language similar to the languages
of other Pacific Island cultures, such as Hawaiian, Tongan, and Samoan. Over
160,000 people in New Zealand speak Maori (2001 Census).
The Maori language has been part of New Zealand and its culture since the first
people came to the Islands. However, Maori has only been recognised as an official
language of New Zealand since the Maori Language Act of 1987. English-Maori
bilingualism and the development and use of the Maori language is encouraged
by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori-the Maori Language Commission.
Maori and English are used throughout the country in various television and
radio programs.
As with other regions in the world where two cultures have been mixed, English
has influenced Maori and Maori has influenced English. A number of words in
each language have crossed in to the vocabulary of the other. English has introduced
motuka (car) and Maori has replied with taboo (tapu).
Many places in New Zealand have been christened with two names - one English,
one Maori. And, in some cases, these names are used interchangeably.
NOTE: The macron (a bar written above a vowel to depict elongation) has not
been included in Maori names in this article due to technical restraints. For
an authoritative spelling of these and other Maori words, consult with Te Taura
Whiri I te Reo Maori-the Maori Language Commission (www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz).
|
English |
Maori |
| New
Zealand |
Aotearoa |
| North
Island |
Te
ika-a-maui |
| South
Island |
Te
Waipounamu |
| Stewart
Island |
Rakiura |
| Chatham
Islands |
Wahrekauri
or Rekohu |
| Mount
Cook |
Aoraki |
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A selection of New
Zealand place names
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| NEW
ZEALAND |
 |
| Capital
City: |
Wellington |
| Area: |
268,020
km˛ (103,490 mi˛) |
| Population: |
3.9
million (2002 Estimate) |
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Regions of New Zealand |
| AUCKLAND |
 |
| Major
City: |
Auckland |
| Area: |
16,140 km˛ (6235 mi˛) |
| Population: |
1.25
million (2002 Estimate) |
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| BAY
OF PLENTY |
 |
| Major
Cities: |
Rotorua,
Tauranga,
and Whakatane |
| Area: |
13,000 km˛ (5020 mi˛) |
| Population: |
250,000
(2002 Estimate) |
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| CANTERBURY |
 |
| Major
City: |
Christchurch |
| Area: |
42,200 km˛ (16,294 mi˛) |
| Population: |
503,800
(2002 Estimate) |
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| GISBORNE |
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| Major
City: |
Gisborne |
| Area: |
8,265 km˛ (3192 mi˛) |
| Population: |
45,200
(2002 Estimate)
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| HAWKE'S
BAY |
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| Major
City: |
Napier |
| Area: |
14,160 km˛ (5468 mi˛) |
| Population: |
148,000
(2002 Estimate)
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| MANAWATU-WANGANUI |
 |
| Major
Cities: |
Wanganui
and Palmerston
North |
| Area: |
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| Population: |
227,100
(2002 Estimate) |
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| NELSON-MARLBOROUGH
- includes the unitary authorities of Nelson City, Tasman, and Marlborough |
 |
| Major
City: |
Nelson
City |
| Area: |
12,500 km˛ (4830 mi˛) |
| Population: |
128,100
(2002 Estimate)
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| NORTHLAND |
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| Major
City: |
Whangarei |
| Area: |
12,500 km˛ (4827 mi˛) |
| Population: |
145,400
(2002 Estimate)
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| OFFSHORE
ISLANDS -
including Chatham
Islands, Stewart
Island, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell
Island, and Kermadec Islands |
 |
| Major
City: |
Not
applicable |
| Area: |
Over 3800 km˛ (1470 mi˛) |
| Population: |
750
(2002 Estimate) |
| Prime
Industries: |
Ecotourism,
fishing, and pastoral farming |
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| OTAGO |
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| Major
City: |
Dunedin |
| Area: |
32,000 km˛ (12,360 mi˛) |
| Population: |
190,600
(2002 Estimate) |
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| SOUTHLAND |
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| Major
City: |
Invercargill |
| Area: |
30,360 km˛ (11720 mi˛) |
| Population: |
93,400
(2002 Estimate)
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| TARANAKI |
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| Major
City: |
New
Plymouth |
| Area: |
7234 km˛ (2800 mi˛) |
| Population: |
105,500
(2002 Estimate)
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| WAIKATO |
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| Major
City: |
Hamilton |
| Area: |
25,000 km˛ (9660 mi˛) |
| Population: |
373,200
(2002 Estimate) |
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| WELLINGTON |
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| Major
City: |
Wellington |
| Area: |
8130 km˛ (3139 mi˛) |
| Population: |
445,400
(2002 Estimate) |
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| WEST
COAST |
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| Major
City: |
Greymouth |
| Area: |
23,000 km˛ (8880 mi˛) |
| Population: |
30,800
(2002 Estimate)
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