New Zealand
Today we are going to learn about amazing country of New Zealand.
Discuss the following questions:
What do you know about New Zealand?
What do you think New Zealand is popular for?
Do you want to travel to New Zealand? Why?
Before reading, make sure to learn new words!
https://wordwall.net/resource/112144657
https://wordwall.net/resource/112144657
Reading
The People and Culture of New Zealand
The Māori are the native people of New Zealand. They came from Polynesia. Before Europeans arrived in the 1800s, there were about 200,000 Māori. That was larger than the population of many other Pacific islands. Then wars and new diseases killed many of them. By the end of the 1800s, only about 42,000 Māori were left, which is much smaller than before.
Today, the Māori are an important part of New Zealand’s population. In fact, they are a larger element in New Zealand’s population today than Aboriginal peoples in Australia or Indigenous peoples in the United States. In the 2020s, about 18% of New Zealanders said they have Māori ancestors. But the largest group in the country is Europeans, mostly from Britain. The Māori call them Pākehā. There are also smaller groups of Asians and other Pacific Islanders. Among these, Asians are more numerous than Pacific Islanders.
English is the most common language in New Zealand. Both English and Māori are official languages. Many New Zealanders are not religious. About 32% are Christians, 3% are Hindu, and 2% are Muslim. Christianity is more popular than Hinduism or Islam.
Most people live on the North Island. It has about three times more people than the South Island, so it is much more crowded. About 86% of New Zealanders live in cities. The largest city is Auckland, followed by Christchurch and Wellington. Only Christchurch is on the South Island, which makes it the biggest city on that island. Auckland has a higher number of Asian and Pacific people than any other city. The largest Māori population can be found in the north, east, and centre of the North Island. The South Island is less diverse than the North Island because it is mainly Pākehā.
New Zealand’s culture is mostly European, but Māori traditions are becoming more and more popular. People do traditional Māori crafts like wood carving and weaving. Māori songs and dances are now as popular as some European traditions, especially among the young. One of the most famous New Zealanders is opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
Important holidays include ANZAC Day and Waitangi Day. Waitangi Day is the most important national day. It remembers the treaty signed between the British and the Māori. One of the biggest cultural events is Te Matatini, a festival of Māori performing arts. It happens every two years. Matariki, the Māori New Year, is a newer public holiday compared to Waitangi Day. It is celebrated in June or July and is becoming more and more popular each year.
The Māori are the native people of New Zealand. They came from Polynesia. Before Europeans arrived in the 1800s, there were about 200,000 Māori. That was larger than the population of many other Pacific islands. Then wars and new diseases killed many of them. By the end of the 1800s, only about 42,000 Māori were left, which is much smaller than before.
Today, the Māori are an important part of New Zealand’s population. In fact, they are a larger element in New Zealand’s population today than Aboriginal peoples in Australia or Indigenous peoples in the United States. In the 2020s, about 18% of New Zealanders said they have Māori ancestors. But the largest group in the country is Europeans, mostly from Britain. The Māori call them Pākehā. There are also smaller groups of Asians and other Pacific Islanders. Among these, Asians are more numerous than Pacific Islanders.
English is the most common language in New Zealand. Both English and Māori are official languages. Many New Zealanders are not religious. About 32% are Christians, 3% are Hindu, and 2% are Muslim. Christianity is more popular than Hinduism or Islam.
Most people live on the North Island. It has about three times more people than the South Island, so it is much more crowded. About 86% of New Zealanders live in cities. The largest city is Auckland, followed by Christchurch and Wellington. Only Christchurch is on the South Island, which makes it the biggest city on that island. Auckland has a higher number of Asian and Pacific people than any other city. The largest Māori population can be found in the north, east, and centre of the North Island. The South Island is less diverse than the North Island because it is mainly Pākehā.
New Zealand’s culture is mostly European, but Māori traditions are becoming more and more popular. People do traditional Māori crafts like wood carving and weaving. Māori songs and dances are now as popular as some European traditions, especially among the young. One of the most famous New Zealanders is opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
Important holidays include ANZAC Day and Waitangi Day. Waitangi Day is the most important national day. It remembers the treaty signed between the British and the Māori. One of the biggest cultural events is Te Matatini, a festival of Māori performing arts. It happens every two years. Matariki, the Māori New Year, is a newer public holiday compared to Waitangi Day. It is celebrated in June or July and is becoming more and more popular each year.
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Homework
Imagine that you are working in a travel agency. Write a short essay on why people should absolutely visit New Zealand (100-120 words). Submit the homework via the Google Forms by 03.05.2026.
https://forms.gle/m4rCNTbNnGCuTUPq8
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