Immigration to New Zealand

New Zealand is nestled in the South Pacific Ocean 1,600 kms 1,000 miles) from Australia, its closest neighbor and friend. There are just over four million New Zealanders, and every single one is either an immigrant or descended from one. By most other standards, New Zealand is a very young country, with European settlement on a large scale only occurring over the last 150 years. English is the main written and spoken language in New Zealand – with a number of different accents!! Maori is also an officially recognized language and is spoken fluently by over 4% of the population. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are completely opposite to countries north of the equator. Winter is June through August and our Summer is between December and March. New Zealand is a modern parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster cabinet system. New Zealand's Parliament is currently made up of 120 Members representing eight parties. With majestic mountain ranges, sweeping plains, fjords, imposing native forests, crystal clear inland lakes, miles of golden sand beaches and numerous bays dotted around one of the longest coastlines in the world.