New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island and the South Island and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island country by area and lies east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and south of the islands of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. The country's varied topography and sharp mountain peaks, including the Southern Alps, owe much too tectonic uplift and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington, and its most populous city is Auckland. Its official languages are English and Māori.
CULTURE
Early Māori adapted the tropically based east Polynesian culture in line with the challenges associated with a larger and more diverse environment, eventually developing their own distinctive culture. Social organization was largely communal with families (whānau), subtribes (hapū) and tribes (iwi) ruled by a chief (rangatira), whose position was subject to the community's approval.
The British and Irish immigrants brought aspects of their own culture to New Zealand and also influenced Māori culture, particularly with the introduction of Christianity.
However, Māori still regard their allegiance to tribal groups as a vital part of their identity, and Māori kinship roles resemble those of other Polynesian peoples. More recently, American, Australian, Asian and other European cultures have exerted influence on
New Zealand. Non-Māori Polynesian cultures are also apparent, with Pasifika, the world's largest Polynesian festival, now an annual event in Auckland
ECONOMY
New Zealand has an advanced market economy, ranked 13th in the 2021 Human Development Index, and fourth in the 2022 Index of Economic Freedom. It is a high- income economy with a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of US$36,254. The currency is the New Zealand dollar, informally known as the "Kiwi dollar"; it also circulates in the Cook Islands (see Cook Islands dollar), Niue, Tokelau, and the Pitcairn Islands.
ACOMMODATION
There are four main options when it comes to finding a place to live during your studies. Depending on what you need – and your budget - your options include living in a hostel or halls of residence, private boarding, home stay, or independent accommodation.
Home stay programs are a popular accommodation option for foreign students enrolled in short-term courses that give them the opportunity to stay with a New Zealand family. Home stays can have single or shared rooms.
The halls of residence (or hostels) are usually a small walk from your campus – making them a convenient option as you won’t need to travel far and your accommodation may also include a furnished room and meals. If you’re looking for something a little more private, private boarding offers you your own room, which could be either in a residential home or a boarding house with other boarders.
The home stay option provides you with the opportunity to live with a New Zealand family in their home and comes with a furnished room and assistance from the family to
help you settle in to everyday life in New Zealand.
Finally, independent accommodation offers you the chance to live with other flat mates and share the cost of rent and other amenities.
Living in a privately rented property can be very attractive, especially as a student in a new country! It enables you to decide who you would like to live with and where.
Students who choose this type of accommodation may either move into pre-furnished houses on a room-by-room basis, or apply to lease the place as a whole with friends they already know.
TRANSPORTATION
Urban bus transport is the main form of public transport in New Zealand. Two of the country's largest cities, Auckland and Wellington, also have suburban rail systems, while some cities also operate local ferry services.
FOOD
New Zealand has a diverse culinary scene with a variety of delicious foods to try. Some popular and iconic New Zealand foods include:
0. Hangi: A traditional Māori method of cooking food using heated rocks buried in a pit oven. This cooking technique imparts a unique and smoky flavor to the meat and vegetables cooked in it.
0. Pavlova: A meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. It is typically topped with whipped cream and fresh fruits such as kiwifruit and strawberries.
0. Fish and Chips: A classic dish that can be found throughout New Zealand. Fresh fish, usually snapper or hoki, is deep-fried in a light batter and served with hot chips (fries) and tartar sauce.
0. Lamb: New Zealand is known for its high-quality lamb, and dishes like lamb chops, roast lamb, and lamb shanks are popular choices.
0. Hokey Pokey Ice Cream: A uniquely New Zealand flavor featuring vanilla ice cream with small, solid lumps of honeycomb toffee.
0. Whitebait Fritters: Whitebait are tiny, translucent fish that are a delicacy in New Zealand. Whitebait fritters are a simple dish where the fish are mixed with egg and lightly pan-fried.
0. Kumara: A type of sweet potato that is a staple in New Zealand cuisine. It can be roasted, mashed, or used in various dishes.
These are just a few examples of the delicious foods you can try in New Zealand. The best New Zealand food ultimately comes down to personal preference.
WEATHER
whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, family fun, rest and relaxation, food and wine, cultural experiences or a bit of everything, New Zealand has something to suit, no matter when you visit.
Temperatures in New Zealand are generally mild, but the weather can vary a lot around the country and might change quickly as we are 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 you travel south.
New Zealand is lush and green for a reason! Our average rainfall is high and spread evenly throughout the year.
Snow typically falls during the months of June through to October, though cold snaps can occur outside of this. Most snow in New Zealand falls in the mountainous areas, like the Central Plateau in the North Island, and the Southern Alps in the South Island. It also falls heavily in inland Canterbury and Otago in the South Island. It rarely snows in the coastal areas of the North Island, although they experience some heavy overnight frosts in winter.
WHY STUDY IN NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand is a great destination for international students, offering a world-class educational system. All of its institutions adhere to global standards, regularly tested and monitored by government to ensure a consistently high level of education wherever you choose to study. New Zealand has a progressive and responsive education system, combining traditional principles of teaching with innovation and technology, leading to globally recognized and respected qualifications. New Zealand is a member of the Lisbon Recognition Convention, which means its certificates, diplomas and degrees are recognized in all 50 participating countries global rankings.
With so much to choose from, picking the right course is always a tough decision. Considering that every student, course and university is different, it's an important decision to get right, with research showing course preparation plays a big part in the satisfaction of international students. University rankings are a great way to help compare key performance indicators across different universities. Luckily all eight New Zealand universities are ranked in the 2015-16 QS World University Rankings, impressive for a country of just under five million people!
New Zealand offers several unique working advantages for international students including the ability to work full-time during holidays and the option of applying for a six- month work permit to gain points for a residency application.
Natural beauty
New Zealand is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and offers an amazing choice for anyone who looks for adventure. Study during the week and choose from activities like bunny jumping, skiing, hiking, rafting or exploring the local culture in your free time.
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