NationMaster - Statistics on New Zealand. facts and figures, stats and information on New Zealand economy, crime, people, government, health and education. 13 maps and 104 flags

The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances.

Alternative names:

New Zealand,

Top Rankings

Bottom Rankings

More Top Rankings »

More Bottom Rankings »

Maps of New Zealand

"Notices of New Zealand. From Original Documents in the Colonial Office. Communicated by R.W. Hay, Esq."	New Zealand, South Island 1913	New Zealand	New Zealand (Shaded Relief) 1981
(View 9 more maps)