UNIT FIVE

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Figure 5.1 Map of Australia (Source: An Atlas World Maps, 2001)

When we talk about Australia, we always talk about New Zealand because
these two countries are located in the same region and they are the countries which
known as English-speaking countries. Australia is the smallest continent in the
world, but the sixth largest country. It is the island continent located southeast of
Asia and forming, with the nearby island of Tasmania, the Commonwealth of
Australia, a self-governing member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Australia and
New Zealand are discussed in details in the following passages.

Figure 5.2 Australia Flag (Source: Media Encarta, 2001)

 PASSAGE 1
An Overview of Australia

Most of Australia's native mammals are marsupials, including the koala. Koalas live in the eucalyptus forests
of eastern Australia, where they feed on the leaves and flowers of certain species of eucalyptus, as well as
on mistletoe and box leaves.
Figure 5.3 Koala (Source: Atkinson, 2001)

WORDS TO KNOW
Aborigines (n) range (v)
bushfires (n) remain (v)
drought (v) settlement (n)
federate (v) prevail (v)
interior (n) prevalence (n)
ACTIVITY
Direction: Read the passage and then answer the questions.
The Commonwealth of Australia comprises six states and two territories. The
states and their capitals are New South Wales (Sydney), Victoria (Melbourne),
Queensland (Brisbane), South Australia (Adelaide), Western Australia (Perth), and
Tasmania (Hobart). The territories and their chief cities are the Australian Capital
Territory (Canberra) and the Northern Territory (Darwin).
The major cities of Australia are Sydney, a seaport and commercial center;
Melbourne, a cultural center; Brisbane, a seaport; Perth, a seaport on the western
coast; and Adelaide, an agricultural center. Canberra, the national capital, is much
smaller in population.
Tall buildings line the far side of the Brisbane River in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia. The
river has been dredged to accommodate ocean-going vessels, establishing Brisbane as a major seaport. The
city originated from a British penal station started in 1824 and developed into a transportation and trade
center for the region's rich mining and agricultural resources.
Figure 5.4 Brisbane (Source: Media Encarta, 2001)
The first people to live in Australia, called Aborigines, migrated there about
40,000 years ago. The continent remained relatively unknown by outsiders until the
17th century. The first European settlement by British convicts occurred in 1788 at
Botany Bay in southeastern Australia. Australia grew as a group of British colonies
during the 19th century, and in 1901 the colonies federated to form a unified
independent nation.

Figure 5.5 Aborigines (Source: Media Encarta, 2001)

 Australia lacks mountains of great height; it is one of the world's flattest
landmasses. In the east, southeast, and southwest, these plains are the most densely
populated areas of Australia.
The climate of Australia varies greatly from region to region, but the
continent is not generally subject to marked extremes of weather. The climate ranges
from tropical (monsoonal) in the north to temperate in the south. The tropical
region, which includes about 40 percent of the total area of Australia, essentially has
only two seasons: a hot, wet period with rains falling mainly in February and
March, during which the northwestern monsoons prevail; and a warm, dry interval
characterized by the prevalence of southeastern winds.

This rock painting from Queensland depicts a human figure (probably a woman) and an animal with young
(possibly a kangaroo). The figures are painted in red ochre. Rock paintings may have been a part of
Aboriginal culture for as long as 40,000 years, and while the meaning and context of their production are as
much a matter of debate as is their chronology, they exhibit a remarkable consistency in iconography,
materials, and technique, surviving European colonization and continuing right up until the present.
Figure 5.6 Aboriginal Rock Art (Source: Fuji, 2001)

The warm, temperate regions of southern Australia have four seasons, with
cool winters and warm summers. All of the southern states are exposed to hot, dry
winds from the interior, which can suddenly raise the temperature considerably. In
most years, parts of the continent experience drought conditions and smaller
localities are ravaged by floods and tropical cyclones. Southeastern Australia,
including Tasmania, has among the highest incidences of serious bushfires in the
world, along with California in the United States and Mediterranean Europe.
(Passage adapted from Powell, 2001)
Exercise 5.1 Answer these questions.
1. How many states does Australia comprise and what are they?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. What is the capital of Queensland?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Who first lived in Australia?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. When did Australia become independent?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. If you want to learn more about Australian culture, what state should you
visit?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

PASSAGE 2
Australian Society and Religion
WORDS TO KNOW
coastal (a)
disadvantage (n)
enclaves (n)
festival (n)
folklore (n)
mortality (n)
permit (v)
subsequently (ad)
urbanize (v)
 ACTIVITY
Direction: Read the following passage and then do the exercise.
People of European descent make up 95 percent of Australia's inhabitants.
The majority have a British or Irish heritage, but about 18 percent of the total
population have other European origins. Asians, including Middle Easterners,
account for 4 percent of the population. Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders make
up 1 percent of the population. English is the official language of Australia.
Aboriginal and other minority languages are spoken in ethnic communities.
The first Australians were the Aborigines. Aboriginal folklore claims that the
Aborigines were always in Australia. However, most anthropologists believe that the
Aborigines migrated from Southeast Asia at least 40,000 years ago, probably during
a period when low sea levels permitted the simplest forms of land and water travel.
A rise in sea level subsequently made Tasmania an island and caused some cultural
separation between its peoples and those on the mainland.
More than 70 percent of the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders live in
urban areas. Traditional ways of life are still maintained in small enclaves in the
more remote locations, especially in the north and center of the continent. Every
region of the country is represented by its own Aboriginal land council, and most
regions run cultural centers and festivals. A shared desire to reassert their claim to
land rights has united the widely separated communities, and Aboriginality is now
widely expressed in art, popular music, law, literature, and sport. In terms of social
and economic disadvantage—unemployment, family income levels, welfare
dependence, infant mortality rates, and average life expectancy—the Aboriginal
population still fares badly in comparison with the Australian population as a whole.
Australia is the most sparsely populated of the inhabited continents. The
country is heavily urbanized. Some 85 percent of the population lives in cities. The
most rapidly growing areas are the coastal zones near and between the mainland
capitals in the east, southeast, and southwest.
Regarding to religion, Australia has no single established church, and its
constitution guarantees freedom of worship. The population is predominantly
Christian. The largest single denominations are the Roman Catholic church and
Anglican Church Australia.. Another 24 percent belong to other Christian
denominations, such as the Uniting Church (Methodists, Presbyterians, and
Congregationalists), the Baptist Union, the Lutheran Church of Australia, the Church
of Christ, and Eastern Orthodoxy. Jewish, Buddhist, and Muslim worshipers make
up a small portion of the population. The number of Buddhists and Muslims is
increasing, reflecting the changing immigration patterns since the 1960s. A
significant share of Australia's population say they are non-religious. (Passage
adapted from Powell, 2001)
Exercise 5.2 Find the words from the passage to match with the meaning of
words given.
1. allow (v) ……………………………….
2. rare (a) ……………………………….
3. far (a) ……………………………….
4. myth (n) ……………………………….
5. resident (n) ……………………………….
6. inheritance (n) ……………………………….
7. carnival (n) ……………………………….
8. society (n) ……………………………….
9. indicate (v) ……………………………….
10. easiest (a) ……………………………….

PASSAGE 3
Australian Educational System
WORDS TO KNOW
centralize (v)
conduct (v)
correspondence (n)
denomination (n)
isolated (a)
kindergarten (n)
provision (n)
recruit (v)
 ACTIVITY
Direction: Read the following passage and then do the exercise.
Education in Australia is primarily the responsibility of the individual states.
In each state administration, the training and recruiting of teachers are centralized
under an education department. Education is compulsory between the ages of 6 and
15 in all the states except Tasmania, where the upper age limit is 16. Most children
start their schooling at the age of 5. State schools provide free secular education;
students may attend religious classes offered by the clergy of various denominations.
About 72 percent of students attend state schools. In addition to the state school
system there are private schools, which are usually denominational and charge
tuition fees. The majority of the private schools are Catholic. Some private schools,
which in some states are called public schools as in Britain, accept day students and
boarders. Schooling is provided at kindergartens and play centers for children from
2 to 6 years of age. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation conducts broadcasts
for kindergarten children unable to attend such centers. Special provisions are made
for children in isolated areas. These include Schools of the Air—where children use
two-way radios, television sets, video and cassette recorders, and computers to
participate in classroom instruction—and correspondence schools.
Most children transfer from the primary to the secondary school level at the
age of 12. Secondary schools, known as high schools and junior technical schools,
provide five- or six-year courses that enable students to prepare for state
examinations for university entrance. The commonwealth government conducts the
educational program for all children in the territories.
There are some specialized Schools that the commonwealth government
maintains training colleges for the defense services, the Australian Forestry School
in Canberra and the School of Pacific Administration in Sydney, which conduct
training programs that are attended primarily by civil service administrators from
Papua New Guinea. The government also maintains the Australian Film, Television
and Radio School, the Australian Maritime College, and the National Institute of
Dramatic Art. After secondary education, students can further their study in
university and college. There are many universities and colleges with high
technology instructions. (Passage adapted from Powell, 2001)
Exercise 5.3 Draw the map indicating Australian educational system.
Australian Educational System

Types of School

Age 2-6

Age 6-15 Age 6-15

Higher Education

PASSAGE 4
Australian Way of Life and Culture
WORDS TO KNOW
abundance (n)
athletics (n)
cosmopolitan (a)
extent (n)
infrastructure (n)
leisure (a)
lightweight (n)
prevalent (a)
sophistication (n)
 ACTIVITY
Direction: Read the passage below and then answer the questions.
Most Australians enjoy or aspire to middle-class suburban lifestyles in their
homes. Apartments—called flats—were not common until recent years. They
became more prevalent because of reduced family sizes, the adoption of more
cosmopolitan modes of living, a trend toward rented accommodation, and state
government efforts to revitalize the inner cities and maximize expensive
infrastructural investments in transportation, water supplies, and other services.
These developments were accompanied to some extent by an increased
sophistication, especially in the capital cities.
Australian fashion generally follows Western styles of dress, but is
distinctive for the lightweight, colorful casual wear that reflects the absence of harsh
winters. Food and drink preferences are influenced by global fashions, but also
mirror the rise of ethnic diversity and the country's capacity to produce most kinds
of food, wine, and other beverages in abundance.
Popular culture is dominated by an emphasis on leisure activities and outdoor
recreation. Great pleasure is taken in traditional backyard barbecues, bush picnics,
and a wide range of organized sports, including soccer, Australian Rules football,
cricket, tennis, baseball, basketball, volleyball, netball (a game similar to basketball,
played by women), athletics, cycling, boating, swimming, horseback riding, and
horse racing. Fishing and gardening are popular activities.

The shell-shaped Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous pieces of modern architecture in the
world. It was designed by J rn Utzon and completed in 1973. Sydney is the capital of New South Wales,
which is located on the southeastern coast of Australia. Sydney is the largest city in Australia and the
country's cultural center.
Figure 5.7 Sydney Opera House (Source: Hutchison Library, 2001)
 Initially, the way of life in Australia substantially reflected the heritage of the
British settlers. Customs were modified as the settlers adapted to the new country
and its exceptionally fine climate. A culture evolved that, although based on the
British tradition, is unique to Australia. The increasing sophistication of Australian
culture has been promoted by government subsidies for the arts and the provision of
improved facilities. Many cities and towns have built or expanded art galleries and
performing arts centers. The architecturally stunning Sydney Opera House is the best
known of the modern venues. Opera, ballet, and dance companies, symphony
orchestras, artists, playwrights, and writers are supported by the Australia Council.
The federally funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation controls independent
television and radio stations. Australia also has many other media companies,
newspapers, and magazines that contribute to local culture, although some are now
owned by foreigners. (Passage adapted from Powell, 2001)

Exercise 5.4 Answer these questions.

1. What kinds of activity do Australians do in their free time?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. How is the Australian dress style distinctive?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. What is netball?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Why did living in flats become prevalent?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. What is the best known example of modern architectural art in Australia?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
 PASSAGE 5
Australian Government and Politics

The distinctive architecture of the Australian government's new Parliament House (completed in 1988) in
Canberra represents a dramatic break from the past. While the colonial architecture of the previous
parliament building reflected Australia's heritage as a part of Britain, the new building employs modern
architectural techniques and design.
Figure 5.8 Parliament House (Source: Ibbotson, 2001)

WORDS TO KNOW
bicameral (a) proportional (a)
borough (n) regulation (n)
civil (a) reserved (v)
delegated (v) sewerage (n)
determine (v) suffrage (n)
dissolve (v) supreme (a)
judicial (a) vested (v)
 ACTIVITY
Direction: Read the passage below and then answer the questions.
Australia, a federal parliamentary democracy, is an independent self-
governing state and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The constitution of
Australia, which became effective in 1901, is based on British parliamentary
traditions, and includes elements of the United States system. The head of state is
the British sovereign, and the head of government is the Australian prime minister,
who is responsible to the Australian Parliament. All powers not delegated to the
federal government are reserved to the states. Australia is a founding member of the
United Nations (UN).
Formally, executive authority in Australia is vested in the governor-general,
who is appointed by the British monarch in consultation with the Australian prime
minister. The British monarch is also the royal head of Australia, but has no real
power in the government and serves as a symbolic head of state. The governor-
general acts only on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, made up of the
ministers of state. Federal policy in practice is determined by the ministers of state
under the leadership of the prime minister. Together they form the cabinet, which
meets without the governor-general. The prime minister is the head of the majority
party in parliament. The ministers are responsible for the individual departments of
the federal government, and these departments are administered by permanent civil
servants.
National legislative power in Australia is vested in a bicameral parliament,
made up of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The Senate consists of 76
members (12 from each state and 2 from each territory). Senators are popularly
elected under a form of proportional representation; senators from states are elected
to six-year terms and senators from territories are elected to three-year terms.
According to the Australian constitution, the House should have about twice as
many members as the Senate. The number of members from each state is
proportional to its population, but must be at least five. As of the 2001 elections the
House has 150 members, all of whom are directly elected to three-year terms. The
prime minister can ask the governor-general to dissolve parliament and call new
elections at any time; the prime minister also determines the date of parliamentary
elections every three years. Australia has universal and compulsory suffrage for all
citizens over the age of 18.
 Three political parties dominate in the Australian parliament: the two-party
ruling coalition of the Liberal Party of Australia (LP) and the smaller National Party
of Australia (NP), and the leading opposition party, the Australian Labor Party
(ALP). Numerous other parties include the Australian Democrats (DEM) and the
Australian Greens (GRN).
A bicameral system of government exists in each state except Queensland,
which has only one house. The British sovereign is represented in each state by a
governor. Governmental affairs are handled by a cabinet, the head of which is
known as the premier. Within each Australian state, hundreds of local government
authorities are responsible for traffic and building regulation; maintenance of streets,
bridges, local roads, water and sewerage, parks, libraries, and hospitals; and similar
functions. Among these authorities are shire councils, borough councils, and town
and city councils. Legislation granting power to local authorities exists in each state.
At the head of the judicial system of the commonwealth is the High Court of
Australia, consisting of seven members appointed by the governor-general in
council. There are lesser federal courts and state supreme courts. (Passage adapted
from Powell, 2001)
Exercise 5.5 Answer these questions.
1. How many members does the Senate consist of?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. How do they get the senators?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. What are the famous political parties in Australia?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Who is appointed by the British monarch?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. How long are the terms of state senators and territories senators?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
 PASSAGE 6
An Overview of New Zealand

Figure 5.9 Map of New Zealand (Source: An Atlas World Maps, 2001)

WORDS TO KNOW
alpine (a) geothermal (a)
defense (n) habitat n)
discharge (v) pasture (n)
dominion (n) reforestation (n)
earthquake (n) reputation (n)
entity (n) segment (n)
erosion (n) snowcapped (a)

Figure 5.10 New Zealand Flag (Source: Media Encarta, 2001)

 ACTIVITY
Direction: Read the following passage and then do the exercise.
New Zealand, island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, located south of the
equator in the Southern Hemisphere, and marking the eastern boundary of the
Tasman Sea, a portion of the Pacific Ocean that separates New Zealand and the
nearest large landmass, Australia, by a distance of about 1,600 km (1,000 mi). New
Zealand includes two large islands that constitute most of its landmass, as well as
numerous small islands. New Zealand administers two overseas territories, Tokelau
and Ross Dependency (in Antarctica). The self-governing entities of Niue and the
Cook Islands are in free association with New Zealand, which handles their foreign
affairs and defense as requested.
New Zealand is known for its scenic landscapes of snowcapped mountains
and rolling green pastures. Its image as a farming outpost stems from the traditional
importance of agriculture to the economy as well as the low population density in
most areas. However, the majority of New Zealanders live in urban areas, and many
now earn a living in service industries such as tourism. The capital of New Zealand
is Wellington. The largest and most cosmopolitan city is Auckland.
Polynesians first settled the islands of New Zealand about 800 to 1,000 years
ago, naming the islands Aotearoa (“Land of the Long White Cloud”). Their
descendents are the Maori. The first European settlers came from the United
Kingdom, arriving in increasing numbers after New Zealand became a colony of the
British Empire in 1840. Until the mid-20th century the non-Maori population of
New Zealand was predominantly European in origin. Since then many people have
migrated from the Pacific Islands and Asia, and the ethnic composition of the
country is becoming more diverse. In 1907 New Zealand became a self-governing
dominion within the British Empire. Now an independent nation, New Zealand
maintains close ties with the United Kingdom as a full member of the
Commonwealth of Nations, but increasingly it sees its identity as a nation in the
Pacific and Asia.
New Zealand is located within the Ring of Fire, a region encircling the
Pacific Ocean where the movement of tectonic plates (huge segments of Earth's
crust) leads to volcanic and seismic activity. Volcanic activity continues today in the
island's central region. Geysers and hot springs (signs of geothermal activity) are
also found throughout the region, and earthquakes are frequent but generally
moderate.
 Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, wraps around Port Nicholson on Cook Strait, which separates the
country's two main islands. Due to its location, both on this critical waterway and in an agricultural region
of the country, Wellington thrives as a point of export. Its busy seaport and rail terminus link the city to the
rest of the country and to its international trading partners.
Figure 5.11 The Capital, Wellington (Source: Seghers, 2001)

New Zealand's location in the Southern Hemisphere, or south of the equator,

means that its seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. The
warmest months of summer are January and February and the coldest months of
winter are June and July. New Zealand is located in the Southern Temperate Zone,
south of the tropics. It has a mild climate with four seasons. Inland areas have
cooler winters and warmer summers than coastal areas, where the moderating
influence of the ocean creates a more temperate climate.
Temperatures tend to be warmer in the north than in the south; the warmest
area is in the extreme northern end of the North Island, and the coldest area is on
the southwestern slopes of the Southern Alps. In most of the country, however, there
are only minimal climatic differences between north and south. Average low winter
temperatures range from 2’C (35’F) in Christchurch, on the South Island's central
east coast, to 8’C (46’F) in Auckland, in the northwest of the North Island. Average
high summer temperatures are 23’C (73’F) in Auckland and 21’C (70’F) in
Christchurch.
New Zealand has a reputation as “clean and green” because of its relatively
small population and unspoiled alpine scenery. However, the country faces real
environmental issues. Industrial and agricultural discharges into waterways, notably
the Waikato River, have led to water pollution in some areas. Air pollution from
motor-vehicle and industrial emissions is a concern in the large cities, such as
Auckland. In addition, widespread clearing of the original mixed-evergreen forests—
both for timber and to create more agricultural land—has led to loss of wildlife
habitat. The practice also led to severe soil erosion, a problem the government has
attempted to solve through reforestation programs. However, targeted reforestation
areas have been replanted with fast-growing nonindigenous species. (Passage
adapted from Belich and Friesen, 2001)
Exercise 5.6 Choose the words or phrases from column B to match with
words or Phrase in column A.
A B
1. Aotearoa a. signs of geothermal activity
2. Wellington b. separate New Zealand and Australia
3. June and July c. summer
4. Maori d. huge segments of Earth’s crust
5. clean and green e. New Zealand reputation
6. January and February f. Land of the Long White Cloud
7. Geyser and hot spring g. New Zealand territories
8. Tectonic plates h. descendants of Polynesians
9. Tokelau and Ross i. Winter
10. Pacific Ocean j. capital of New Zealand

PASSAGE 7
New Zealand Society and Religions

Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, is an important transportation, manufacturing,
and education center. Several institutions of higher learning are located here.
Figure 5.12 Christchurch (Source: Nicholas Devore, 2001)
 WORDS TO KNOW
affiliation (n)
consistently (ad)
declining (n)
transportation (n)

ACTIVITY
Direction: Read the following passage and then do the exercise.
New Zealand has a low population density. About three-quarters of all New
Zealanders live in the North Island, even though it is smaller than the South Island,
because the largest cities and industries are located there.
About 86 percent of the people of New Zealand live in urban areas. More
than half of the urban population lives in the country's five largest cities—Auckland,
Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Dunedin. Auckland, by far the largest and
most cosmopolitan city in the country, has a consistently higher growth rate than the
other cities. It is an important seaport and industrial center. Wellington is the seat of
national government and a hub for domestic transportation and commercial shipping.
Both cities are located in the North Island, with Auckland in the northwest and
Wellington in the southeast. Hamilton, a short distance south of Auckland, is a
center for dairy farming. The largest city in the South Island is Christchurch, on the
eastern coast, and the wool-processing, educational, and tourism center of Dunedin
is located farther south.
The majority of New Zealanders are at least nominally Christian. Anglicans
traditionally have formed the largest single denomination. The next largest Christian
groups are Presbyterians and Roman Catholics. Membership in the major Christian
churches has been declining steadily in recent decades. Membership in some smaller
sects, such as the Pentecostal church, has meanwhile increased, as has the number of
New Zealanders professing no religion or refusing to state their affiliation. Many
Pakeha claim the religious affiliation of their families but are not active churchgoers.
In general, religious practice is stronger among Maori and Pacific Islanders than
among Pakeha. The Maori Christian churches, the Ringatu Church (founded in
1867) and the Ratana Church of New Zealand (1918), have relatively small but
consistently active membership. (Passage adapted from Belich and Friesen, 2001)
 Exercise 5.7 Answer these questions.
1. What are the five largest cities of New Zealand?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. What city is the center of diary farming?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. What city is the largest city in the South Island?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. In which religion do the majority of New Zealanders believe?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. What cities are located in the North Island?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

PASSAGE 8
Ethnic Groups and Languages
WORDS TO KNOW
ancestors (n)
attract (v)
percentage (n)
resemble (v)
revive (v)
ACTIVITY
Direction: Read the following passage and then do the exercise.
New Zealanders of European descent, who are often known by the Maori
name Pakeha, comprise about 75 percent of the population. They are usually
described as the largest ethnic group, but in fact they are ethnically mixed. People of
English, Scottish, and Irish descent comprise the largest groups (in that order), but
there are also people of German, Australian, Scandinavian, Croatian, and Dutch
descent.
 Maori, the original inhabitants of New Zealand, are the largest non-European
group. They are a Polynesian people whose ancestors first settled the islands in
about AD 1100. Pacific Islanders and East Asians each account for about 5 percent
of the population. Large-scale Pacific Islander immigration began in the 1960s.
These immigrants came mainly from Tonga, the Fiji Islands, Tokelau, Niue, the
Cook Islands, and, most of all, Samoa. East Asian immigration dates from the
1860s, when gold rushes attracted thousands of Chinese. Another wave of
immigration began in the 1980s by peoples from East and Southeast Asia, including
ethnic Chinese from Hong Kong and Taiwan, South Koreans, Thais, Malaysians,
Vietnamese, and Filipinos.
English and Maori are the official languages of New Zealand. Most of the
people speak English with a New Zealand accent, which resembles the Australian
accent. The Maori language belongs to the Austronesian language family. It was
recognized as an official language in 1987. A small percentage of the total Maori
population is considered fluent in Maori, but the language is being revived in early-
childhood programs known as kohanga reo (“language nests”). Other Polynesian
and European languages are spoken by a small percentage of the population.
(Passage adapted from Belich and Friesen, 2001)
Exercise 5.8 Find a word or phrase in the passage to make relevant with the
words or phrases given.
1. official languages …………………………………………….
2. original inhabitants ……………………………………………
3. people of New Zealand …………………………………………..
4. Austronesian language family …………………………………………...
5. first settled the island ……………………………………………

PASSAGE 9
New Zealand Education and Way of Life
WORDS TO KNOW
confine (v) ownership (n)
conscious (a) phenomenon (a)
decade (n) pride (n)
exposure (n) polytechnic (a)
hiking (n) transfer (v)
intermediate (a) secular (a)
Most houses in New Zealand are single-family residences, although apartment buildings are becoming more
common in urban areas. The red and white house shown here is probably owned by a Maori family.
Figure 5.13 New Zealand Houses (Source: Yamashita, 2001)

ACTIVITY
Direction: Read the following passage and then do the exercise.
Education in New Zealand is free and compulsory for all children aged 6
through 16, although nearly all children begin attending school at age 5. Students
spend eight years in primary school, often transferring to specialized intermediate
schools for the final two years. Secondary schooling generally takes five years, and
it remains tuition-free for students under the age of 20. Most students attend public
secular schools; only a minority attend private or church-affiliated schools.
The system of higher education in New Zealand includes eight universities.
The largest are the University of Auckland (founded in 1882), at Auckland, and
Massey University (1926), with campuses at Auckland, Palmerston North, and
Wellington. Several colleges provide teacher training, and polytechnic institutions
offer degree programs, diplomas, and certificates in various technical and
professional trades.
New Zealand society has changed dramatically in recent decades. Until the
1960s the country was culturally isolated from the rest of the world, except Britain.
Most homes did not have television, import controls limited access to some
consumer goods, and overseas travel and tourism were small in scale. Most women
did not participate in the paid workforce. Retail stores and other businesses were
closed on Sundays, and pubs (taverns) closed at the dinner hour. All of this changed
by the 1990s, however, and today New Zealand is just as modern and consumer-
oriented as any other Westernized nation. Social issues facing New Zealand include
increasing rates of unemployment and crime, especially since the 1980s.

Sheep are the most important farm animals in New Zealand. The country ranks third only to Australia and
China in wool production. Here, a herd of sheep overwhelms motorists on a country road.
Figure 5.14 Sheep Herd (Source: Brooke-White, 2001)

New Zealanders enjoy a high standard of living. Many live in single-family

houses with a plot of land, even in the larger cities. The rate of home ownership is
high, although apartment dwelling has increased in the cities. High-rise residential
development is a recent phenomenon confined mainly to Auckland and Wellington.
Although most people live in the cities, scenic rural areas are just a short distance
away. Popular leisure activities include beach swimming, fishing, skiing, and hiking.
Most New Zealanders take pride in their healthy, active way of life. In recent years
New Zealanders have become more conscious of the need to moderate their sun
exposure and high-fat diets. Restaurants now offer more varied and health-conscious
cuisine, although traditional dishes such as fish and chips and lamb roast remain
popular.
Rotorua, on New Zealand's North Island, is a resort town famed for its natural hot springs. Here, vacationing
lawn bowlers play in front of the Tudor Towers bath house, which is now a museum. Lawn bowling is a
very popular sport in New Zealand.
Figure 5.15 Lawn Bowling (Source: Armand, 2001)

New Zealanders are keen sport participants and fans. Rugby Union football
is traditionally the favorite national sport. Rugby League football, soccer, hockey,
cricket, softball, netball (a form of basketball), water sports, and track and field are
also popular. Women participate actively in all these sports except professional
rugby. New Zealanders take part in a variety of international sporting events, such
as rugby, soccer, cricket, tennis, and sailing competitions. (Passage adapted from
Belich and Friesen, 2001)
Exercise 5.9 Answer these questions.
1. How many years do the students spend in elementary school?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. When do New Zealand children begin attending chool?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. What university is the largest university in New Zealand?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. What sport is the national sport of New Zealand?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Give the examples of international sports of New Zealand.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
 PASSAGE 10
New Zealand Culture

Wood carving is a traditional art form of the Maori people, New Zealand's first settlers.
Maori houses and communal buildings often incorporate ornate wood carvings.
Figure 5.16 Maori Wood Carving (Source: Souders, 2001)
WORDS TO KNOW

assimilate (v)
canvas (n)
dweller (n)
expatriate (v)
notable (a)
oratory (n)
thrive (v)
weaving (n)
 ACTIVITY
Direction: Read the following passage and then do the exercise.
The earliest cultural tradition in New Zealand was that of the Maori, who
developed a rich and diverse Polynesian culture in geographic isolation from the
other cultures of Polynesia. European settlers brought with them their own traditions,
which eventually dominated the country's cultural life. Since the 1950s the cultural
fabric of New Zealand has become increasingly diverse with the immigration of
peoples from the Pacific Islands and Asia.
Traditional Maori culture is expressed in song, dance, oratory, woodcarving,
weaving, and architecture. Maori artists also bring Maori perspectives to canvas
painting, fiction and poetry writing, and other art forms. The Maori have made a
concerted effort to preserve their culture. In the 1980s they initiated a revival of
their language and other traditions. By that time many Maori had assimilated into
the predominant European culture. The majority of Maori had become urban
dwellers, and most younger Maori did not know the Maori language. Today Maori
culture thrives in both traditional and reinvented traditions.
Cultural activity among people of European descent, who are known as
Pakeha in New Zealand, has long been strong, but until recently tended to follow
British models. Cultural output was high in both quality and quantity. It was
complicated by strong links with Britain, however, because London was in many
respects the cultural capital of New Zealand. The most acclaimed New Zealand
artists produced their famous works as expatriates in England. Artists and writers
who stayed in New Zealand tended to feel alienated from, and unappreciated by,
overseas European society. Even expatriate artists, however, explored their New
Zealand roots. In the second half of the 20th century, Pakeha culture developed in
its own right, producing many notable writers and artists whose works draw on the
New Zealand experience. (Passage adapted from Belich and Friesen, 2001)
Exercise 5.10 Put T in front of the true sentence and put F if it is false.
………………1. Canvas painting is one of Maori art.
……………..2. Most younger Maori could speak Maori language well.
……………..3. Pakeha are the people of European descent.
……………..4. Britain influenced on New Zealand culture.
……………..5. Woodcarving and weaving are not traditional Maori culture.
 PASSAGE 11
Government and Politics of New Zealand

In 1893 New Zealand became the first country in the world to extend the vote to women. The New
Zealand women shown here participating in an election in Wellington North were exercising their right to
vote for the first time.

Figure 5.17 New Zealand Woman Cast First Vote (Source: Archive Photos, 2001)

WORDS TO KNOW
accumulation (n) elimination (n)
assent (n) enroll (v)
ceremonial (a) miscellaneous (a)
chamber (n) precedent (n)
coalition (n) provision (n)
cohesion (n) statutory (a)
consolidate (v) supersede (v)
convene (v) tribunal (n)
customary (a) vest (v)
 ACTIVITY
Direction: Read the following passage and then do the exercise.
New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of
government. After British sovereignty was established in New Zealand in 1840, the
Constitution Act of 1852 created the first system of government, including a two-
chamber legislature and provincial councils. Additional legislation subsequently
modified most of its provisions, such as the elimination of the legislature's upper
house in 1950. Like the United Kingdom, New Zealand does not have a single
written constitution. Instead, constitutional legislation is an accumulation of statutory
and customary laws. The miscellaneous laws are given cohesion through precedent,
tradition, and unwritten formal rules known as conventions. The Constitution Act of
1986 consolidated and augmented New Zealand's collection of laws. New Zealand
maintains close ties with the United Kingdom as a full member of the
Commonwealth of Nations.
New Zealand recognizes the British monarch as its sovereign, or formal head
of state. The monarch is represented in New Zealand by a governor-general. This
official is appointed by the monarch on the prime minister's recommendation to a
five-year term. After national elections, the governor-general appoints the leader of
the majority party in the legislature as prime minister and arranges for the prime
minister to form a government, or cabinet of ministers. The governor-general
formally appoints the ministers on the prime minister's recommendation. The
governor-general must also give assent for parliamentary bills to become law. These
duties are mostly ceremonial, and the governor-general exercises little real power in
New Zealand.
The prime minister heads the cabinet, which is the highest policy-making
body of government. The cabinet is responsible for the day-to-day administration of
government, and ministers have responsibility for specific areas of policy. Ministers
also convene in the Executive Council, a body that advises the governor-general.
Constitutional convention requires the governor-general to follow the council's
recommendations.
The legislature, or Parliament, is composed of one chamber, the House of
Representatives. Parliament is vested with the power to make laws. The House of
Representatives is composed of 120 members, who have been elected since 1996
according to what is known as the mixed-member proportional (MMP) system. In
this system, half of the members are elected from voting districts (including six
seats reserved for Maori representatives) and half are elected from party lists based
on a party's share of the vote in national elections. Legislative elections must be
held at least every three years.
Voter registration is compulsory in New Zealand, but voting is voluntary.
Registered electors, or persons who appear on the electoral roll, must be at least 18
years of age; citizens or permanent residents who have lived in the country for at
least one year; and residents of the voting district in which they enroll for at least
one month. People of Maori descent can enroll in either a general voting district or
one of the Maori voting districts. Every elector, under the MMP system, has two
votes: one for an electoral-district representative, and one for a political party.
The governor-general of New Zealand appoints all judges in New Zealand, a
tradition designed to supersede politics. The judicial system includes a Court of
Appeal, a High Court, and District courts. These courts form a hierarchy in the
appeal process. The High Court hears appeals from lower courts and tribunals, while
the Court of Appeal hears appeals from the High Court and from District Court jury
trials. The decisions of the Court of Appeal are final, except in cases that may be
appealed to the Privy Council, based in the United Kingdom.
The two largest political parties in New Zealand are the National Party and
the Labour Party. These parties traditionally dominated the politics of the country,
contesting each other for control of the legislature. In order to moderate the impact
of this two-party system, New Zealanders voted in a referendum to implement the
MMP system, which took effect with the 1996 elections. This system helps smaller
parties to win more legislative seats, thereby decreasing the likelihood of a one-party
majority. Smaller parties are therefore often solicited to enter into party coalitions
with the Labour and National parties, which continue to be the most influential
parties. Other important parties or coalitions include the Alliance coalition, ACT
New Zealand, the Green Party, New Zealand First, and United New Zealand.
New Zealand is divided into 12 regions and 74 territories. Regional councils
administer the regions, and territorial authorities administer the territories. The
territorial authorities include district and city councils, which have responsibility for
most local administration. All members of these local governing bodies are directly
elected. (Passage adapted from Belich and Friesen, 2001)
Exercise 5.11 Answer the following questions.
1. What is the responsibility of the Cabinet?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. How many members are there in the House of Representatives?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Can a Maori be representative? If yes, how many seats do they get?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. What is MMP system? Explain.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Give the names of political parties in New Zealand.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

REVIEW EXERCISE
Direction: Put T in front of the true sentences and put F if the sentences are
false according to passage 1 to 11.
…………….1. Australia is only one country that is not the member of
Commonwealth of Nations
……………2. Australia is the sixth largest country but the smallest continent in
the world.
……………3. Australia and New Zealand have the same climate because they
are located in the same region, pacific ocean.
……………4. The group of people who first settled the island of New Zealand
is Maori.
……………5. The compulsory education both in Australia and New Zealand are
tuition-free.
……………6. Both Australia and New Zealand are constitutional monarchy.
……………7. Aborigine is the original habitants of New Zealand.
…………….8. Sydney is the national capital of Australia while Wellington is the
capital of New Zealand.
……………9. The head of Australia government is the Prime Minister while
New Zealand, the monarch.
…………10. Australia is located within the region where leads to volcanic and
seismic activity.
…………11. If you like winter, you should go to New Zealand in January and
February.
………….12. Six seats of representatives are reserved for Maori people.
…………..13. University of Auckland is the largest university in Australia.
…………..14. The children have to spend 5 years secondary schooling in New
Zealand.
…………..15. The children both in Australia and New Zealand begin attending
school at 5.
………….16. New Zealand use bilingual official languages, English and
Aborigine.
………….17. The capital of Victoria is Brisbane.
………….18. Adelaide city is an agriculture center of Australia.
………….19. The Prime Ministers of both Australia and New Zealand take five-
year term.
………….20. Some anthropologists believe that the Aborigines are migrants
from Southeast Asia.
…………………………………………………………………………….
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