I.

Natural conditions:
1. Climate:
Temperatures in New Zealand are generally mild, but the weather can vary a lot around the
country and might change quickly as it is a relatively narrow island nation. 
Locals like to joke that you can experience four seasons in one day! It pays to be prepared for what you might encounter on your travels. 

New Zealand’s climate is diverse – the north of the North Island can have warm subtropical
weather in summer, while inland alpine areas of the South Island can have heavy snow and
temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F) in winter.  
The hottest months in New Zealand are January and February, and the coldest month of the
year is July. The average temperature in New Zealand decreases as moving to the south.

Source: https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/new-zealand- climate-and-weather/

2. Plant and animal life:

About two-thirds of the country's territory was covered by mixed evergreen forest, which was
New Zealand's native vegetation. Because of the islands' lengthy seclusion, several species
that are unique to the country make an appearance; about 90% of them are native plants. Only
places that are unsuitable for habitation, such as parks and reserves, still have dense "bush"
today. The majority of the native timber used by industry still comes from this mixed forest
on the west coast of the South Island. The false beech is the most common forest tree along
the mountain range that runs the entire length of the nation.

When the Māori arrived in the 13th century, they found few animals. Europeans also brought
other species with them. New Zealand is a paradise for birds, the most interesting of which
are flightless. The Antarctic cold currents, on the other hand, bring blue and red cod and

hakes.

II. Demography:
a. Population:
According to the most recent United Nations figures, New Zealand's population is
approximately 4,912 116 people (November 16, 2022), with 86.79% of the population
living in urban areas. New Zealand's population accounts for 0.06% of the global
population and ranks 126th among countries and territories in terms of population. 
(Source: https://danso.org/new-zealand/)
b. Ethnic group:
New Zealand is a culturally diverse country with ethnic groups ranging from Asian to
European to Maori to Pacific people.

FIGURE 3. ETHNIC GROUP IN NEW ZEALAND (2018)-made by author

Source: https://figure.nz/chart/alI7ojkKTECuNukM

-In the 1820s, Europeans began to settle in New Zealand. They arrived in greater
numbers after the country was annexed by Britain following the Treaty of Waitangi in
1840. According to the 2018 census data. Modern New Zealand has a European
majority with 70.2% of the population 
 - Maori make up roughly one-sixth of the population with an estimated 16.5% of the
population
- Asian people ranked third in New Zealand's racial makeup, accounting for 15.1% of
the population. The Asian Indian subgroup is expected to more than double between
2018 and 2043, reaching 500,000 by the early 2040s.
- Pacific people make up 8.1% of the population, while Middle Eastern/Latin
American/African people make up 1.5% of the population and the rest make up 1.2%.
c. Language
English, Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language are the official languages of New Zealand.
In New Zealand, English is the dominant language and the de facto official language, spoken
by 95.4% of the population. Many Northern Hemisphere speakers cannot tell the difference
between New Zealand English and Australian English. In 1987, Māori language of the
indigenous Māori people was declared the first official language by law. Since 2006, New
Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) has been an official language. Minority communities in New
Zealand speak a variety of languages, including Samoan, Hindi, and Mandarin.

d. Religion:
New Zealanders are predominantly Christian, with the largest denominations being
Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Presbyterian. In which Christianity is the most widely
practiced religion in New Zealand. 
In the 2018 census, 44.7% of respondents identified with one or more religions, with
Christians accounting for 36.7%. Another 47.8% said they have no religion. Racial diversity
contributes to religious diversity in New Zealand. In addition to the major religions, many
different religions have emerged in New Zealand as a result of immigration and demographic
changes in recent decades, including Hinduism (2.6%), Islam (1.3%), Buddhism (1.1%), and
Sikhism (0.9%). The Auckland region has the most religious diversity.
 PICTURE 4. RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS IN NEW ZEALAND
Source: https://newzealandlopesj.weebly.com/culture.html#:~:text=New%20Zealand%20is%20claimed%20to,system%20nor
%20huge%20social%20tension.
The most common responses among those affiliated with a specific Christian denomination
were Anglican (6.7%), Roman Catholic (6.3%), and Presbyterianism (4.7%).