10 Facts About New Zealand!

20/06/17

 

10 Facts About New Zealand!

These are my 10 facts:

1. Maori Settlement: The first people to arrive to New Zealand were ancestors of Maori. They arrived from Polynesia between 1200 - 1300 AD. As they were exploring the Pacific, they discovered New Zealand and were navigating by ocean currents, stars, and the winds.

2. The First Europeans: Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, was the first European to arrive in New Zealand in 1642. Abel Tasman first called New Zealand Nieuw Zeeland. 127 years later another European came to New Zealand and his name was Captain James Cook. Captain James Cook arrived in 1769 on the first of three voyages.  

3. The Treaty Of Waitangi: At Waitangi on 6th of February 1840, William Hobson was New Zealand’s first Governor. He invited the Maori chiefs to sign a treaty of peace with the British Crown and the treaty was taken all around the country. There were more than 500 people that signed the treaty.  

4. Conflict And Growth: Maori were pressured to sell land and then broke into war in the North Island. After 20 years of war, Maori land was bought or confiscated. In the South Island, sheep farming was established and Canterbury became the country's wealthiest province. In 1861 gold was discovered in Otago.

5. Social Change And War: New Zealand became the first country to allow women to vote in 1893. New Zealand sent troops to help Britain fight in the South African War. ANZAC day represents when soldiers died and fought for our country in the war. We celebrate this each year. New Zealand fought in WW2 to support the UK.

6. The Later 20th Century: America encouraged New Zealand to fight Korea in the 1950s. In 1973, Britain joined the European Economic Community. We now sell our crops from farms.  

7. The New Zealand Flag: The New Zealand flag has the Union Jack and Stars on it. The New Zealand flag is the symbol of the Government, the people of New Zealand And the Realm. The royal blue background is the symbol of the Blue Squadron of the Royal Navy. The stars stands for the Southern Cross.

8. National Sport: Our most popular sport is Rugby and is our national sport. The All Blacks is our New Zealand Team and is well known. The All Blacks are 2 times world champions! The All Blacks have our National Silver Fern on their jerseys when they are playing.

9. New Zealand Haka: The All Blacks do the Haka before every international game and is a traditional war dance. The Haka is part of our Maori Culture and many other hakas were made and performed in battles and war.

10. National Anthem: The National Anthem is sung before all New Zealand sporting events is sung for important occasions.