History
New Zealand is one of the most recently settled land masses. The first known settlers were the Polynesians who, according to most researchers, arrived by canoe between 1250 and 1300 AD. C.1 Some researchers suggest that in 150 AD. C. there was another wave of immigrants; Years later these inhabitants died or abandoned the islands. Over the following centuries, Polynesian immigrants created a distinct culture, now known as Maori. The population was divided into iwi (tribes) and hapu (subtribes) who cooperated, competed and sometimes fought with each other. At some point, a Maori group migrated to the Chatham Islands, where they developed a distinct culture, the Moriori.
Geography
The North Island of New Zealand has a 'spine' of mountain ranges running through the middle, with gentle rolling farmland on both sides. The central North Island is dominated by the Volcanic Plateau, an active volcanic and thermal area. The massive Southern Alps form the backbone of the South Island.
Is situated in the South Pacific Ocean, the southwesternmost part of Polynesia.
It also has spectacular glaciers, picturesque fiords, rugged mountains, vast plains, rolling hillsides, subtropical forest, volcanic plateau, miles of coastline with gorgeous sandy beaches
