3. The Electoral System
--Since the 1996 election, a form of proportional representation called Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) has been used. --Each person can cast 2 votes, one for the party, one for the MP. -- The majority party forms the government. -- Two Major Political Parties: National and Labour
1Auckland1,529,300 1871 2Christchurch 366,000 1868 3Wellington 204,000 1870 4Hamilton 150,200 1936 5Dunedin 127,900 1865 6Tauranga 117,600 1963 7Lower Hutt 102,900 1941 8Palmerston North85,9001930 9Napier 57,800 1950 10Invercargill 52,900 1930 11Porirua 53,300 1965 12Nelson 46,800 1874 13Upper Hutt 41,700 1966
The Realm of New Zealand
●It consists of three main islands and some other 700 offshore islands. ● The three main islands: A. The South Island: ( Cook Strait) --- 150,437 sq km, ―the mainland‖, Southern Alps ( to the west: rainforest, to the east: Canterbury Plains) B. The North Island: --- 113,729 sq km, rolling hill but farmed, volcanic C. Stewart Island: ( Foveaux Strait) --- 1,680 sq km;


Netherlands. Capital: Wellington Largest City: Auckland Official Languages: English, Maori, Sign Language Total Land Area: 265,846 Sq km. Largest Lake: Lake Taupo (in the North Island) Highest Mountain Peak: Mount Cook ( in the South Island) National Symbol: Kiwi Population: 4.468 million ( according to 2013 census)
Elizabeth II (reign 1952- present
Sir Jerry Mateparae – Governor General
John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand since 2008
New Zealand
The National Flag
The components: ---The Union Jack and the Southern Cross
Basic Facts
Name: New Zealand is named after Zeeland province of
5. Independence from the United Kingdom

A. New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 --17 Jan 1853, setting up a central government with an elected House of Representatives and six provinces. B. Dominion --26 Sep, 1907, becoming a dominion C. Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1947 -- New Zealand Parliament obtained the sole power to make laws for the country. D. Constitution Act 1986 --ended residual British legislslative powers
The Geography
New Zealand lies in the Southwest Pacific Ocean stretching 1500km across Latitudes 34—47 South.
Geographical Divisions
aphic Map


populations. Rank (pop.)City CouncilPopulationFirst Proclaimed 1Auckland1,529,3001871 2Christchurch366,0001868 3Wellington204,0001870 4Hamilton150,2001936 5Dunedin127,9001865 6Tauranga117,6001963 7Lower Hutt102,9001941 8Palmerston North85,9001930 9Napier57,8001950 10Invercargill52,9001930 11Porirua53,3001965 12Nelson46,8001874 13Upper Hutt41,7001966
The History
1. Maori Arrival --Polynesians, arrived between 1200—1300 AD
2. Europe Discovery --1642, a Dutch explorer Abel Tasman --1769, James Cook first visited New Zealand. 3. European Colonization -- By 1840, over 20 Christian mission stations had been established. 4. The Waitangi Treaty -- On Feb 6, 1840 the Waitangi Treaty
The Political System
1. a unitary state 2. Constitutional Monarchy with a


parliamentary democracy -- Queen of the is the Head of State, but represented by the Governor—General. --Parliament: House of the Representatives -- The Prime Minister is the Head of Government; He leads the cabinet.