New Zealand

1250–1300 (approx.): Māori people arrive in New Zealand from Polynesia, establishing settlements

1642 (December 13, Wednesday): Dutch explorer Abel Tasman becomes the first European to sight New Zealand

1769 (October 8, Saturday): British explorer James Cook arrives, mapping much of the coastline

1840 (February 6, Thursday): Treaty of Waitangi signed between the British Crown and Māori chiefs, establishing British sovereignty

1860–1872 (period): New Zealand Wars, a series of conflicts between the British settlers and Māori tribes

1907 (September 26, Thursday): New Zealand becomes a Dominion within the British Empire

1947 (April 25, Friday): New Zealand gains full legislative independence from Britain, though it retains the British monarch as head of state

1960s (Decade): New Zealand becomes a major player in the global rugby scene, hosting iconic rugby teams

1981 (July 25, Saturday): Springbok tour protests, a major event against South Africa’s apartheid policies

1995 (November 16, Thursday): New Zealand becomes a founding member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)

2011 (February 22, Tuesday): Christchurch Earthquake: A magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes Christchurch, causing widespread damage and killing 185 people

2019 (March 15, Friday): Christchurch Mosque Shootings: Terrorist attack kills 51 people and injures dozens

2020 (March 20, Friday): COVID-19 Pandemic: New Zealand imposes strict border controls and lockdowns to combat the pandemic

2021 (July 16, Friday): Severe flooding in Canterbury and Auckland regions due to heavy rain and storms

2023 (February 13, Monday): Cyclone Gabrielle hits the North Island, causing widespread flooding and damage, particularly in Hawke’s Bay

Continent: Oceania
Location: Southwestern Pacific Ocean, consisting of two main islands, North Island and South Island, and over 600 smaller islands
Capital: Wellington
Language: English (official), Māori (official), New Zealand Sign Language (official)
Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Population: ~5 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: New Zealand Standard Time (NZST, UTC+12) / New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT, UTC+13)

Borders: None (island nation)
Landscape: Mountainous, with beaches, forests, lakes, volcanoes, and glaciers
Major Rivers: Waikato River, Clutha River, Wanganui River, Whanganui River
Major Mountains: Mount Cook (Aoraki), Mount Tasman, Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro
Deserts: No true deserts
Lakes: Lake Taupo, Lake Wakatipu, Lake Rotorua
Volcanoes: Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe, White Island, Taranaki (Mount Egmont)
Highest Point: Mount Cook (Aoraki) (3,724 m / 12,218 ft)
Lowest Point: The Pacific Ocean (sea level)
Climate: Temperate climate with mild temperatures and moderate rainfall, known for its variability due to its island nature
Geological Features: Active volcanic regions, geothermal areas, earthquake-prone zone, fjords, and glacial landscapes

Ethnic Groups: European (Pākehā), Māori, Pacific Islander, Asian, and other ethnicities
Religion: Christianity (approx. 38%), non-religious (approx. 48%), Māori spirituality, other religions
Urban Population: ~86% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~15% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Rugby, indigenous Māori culture, film industry (The Lord of the Rings), natural beauty, outdoor activities
Cuisine: Pavlova (dessert), meat pies, fish and chips, hangi (Māori feast), kiwifruit
Arts: Māori carving, weaving, film industry (Peter Jackson, Taika Waititi), contemporary art, and literature
Sports: Rugby (most popular), cricket, netball, football (soccer), athletics, and sailing

Economy Type: Mixed, highly developed, export-oriented
GDP: Approx. $300 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture (dairy, meat, wine), forestry, fishing, tourism, manufacturing, technology
Key Exports: Dairy products, meat, wool, wine, wood, and seafood
Unemployment Rate: ~3.9% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Auckland (largest city and economic hub), Wellington (political and cultural center), Canterbury (agriculture and manufacturing)

Government Type: Parliamentary representative democratic republic
Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (as of April 2025, in a ceremonial capacity)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Chris Hipkins (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral Parliament (House of Representatives)
Constitution: Unwritten constitution, based on statutes, conventions, and judicial decisions

Queenstown: Adventure capital, with bungee jumping, skiing, and scenic views
Fiordland National Park: Home to Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and beautiful fjords
Rotorua: Famous for its geothermal areas, hot springs, and Māori culture
Auckland: Largest city, Sky Tower, beaches, and islands
Wellington: National Museum (Te Papa), cultural hub, and waterfront
Tongariro National Park: Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro, and hiking trails