In 2002, New Zealand was a small island nation located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It had a population of approximately 4 million people, and its economy was heavily reliant on agriculture and tourism. The country had an advanced infrastructure, with an extensive network of roads and railways, as well as several international airports. The standard of living in New Zealand was very high compared to other countries in the region, with a per capita GDP that was more than double the global average. Education levels were also high, with nearly 100% literacy rate among adults. In terms of economic reforms, the government had implemented several measures such as reducing trade tariffs and increasing foreign investment which had helped to boost economic growth. Additionally, efforts were also being made to improve health care services and access to education for all citizens which had helped to reduce poverty rates significantly. According to computerannals, New Zealand was seen as one of the most politically stable countries in the world at that time due to its strong democratic institutions and low levels of corruption.

Yearbook 2002

New Zealand. The alliance, which was part of a government coalition along with Labor, split during the spring. The reason was disagreements over the government’s 2001 decision to offer the United States support in its war on terrorism. According to Countryaah website, national day of New Zealand is every February 6. A minority objected to allowing the country’s armed forces to participate in US-led operations. Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton formed a new party, the Progressive Coalition (Progressive Coalition, PC).

In June, Prime Minister Helen Clark apologized to the people of the Samoa Islands for the brutal treatment they suffered during the colonial era. She intended, among other things, the authorities’ decision in 1918 to let people ashore from a ship despite knowing that they were suffering from Spanish illness. More than a fifth of the island population died in the epidemic that followed. In 1929, at least nine pacifist protesters were shot to death by New Zealand police.

The July 27 parliamentary election was a clear success for Labor, but the party failed to reach its own majority in Parliament despite opinion polls. Labor received 52 of the 120 seats, an increase of three. The largest opposition party, the Nationalist Party, received only 27 seats, losing almost a third of its seats.

Neither did PC make a good choice and only got two seats. Instead, several small parties went ahead; the right-wing populist New Zealand first, which received 13 seats, the Green Party, which got eight and the bourgeois United Future Party (UFZN), which increased from one to nine seats.

In August, Labor formed a new government together with PC, but also promised support from UFZN.

Wildlife in New Zealand

There are no native mammals in New Zealand, except for two species of bats, which have their closest relatives in Australia and South Africa.

More than 330 bird species have been observed. There are many seabird species, and initially few species of landbirds. Civilization caused a sharp decline for some peculiar species such as the parrots kha, kaka and owl parrot, kakapo. The kakapo and the national bird takahe were considered extinct around the early 1900s, but were rediscovered in 1958 and 1948, respectively. None of them can fly.

The most distinctive bird order is the kiwi, with three species lacking visible wings. The large moose birds, which numbered more than 20 species, were also wingless. The latter died out in the 18th century. A hawk, a falcon and two owls make up the entire bird of prey. 20 indigenous or endemic sparrow species include, among other things, the fully native families of climber and tablecloths, as well as species associated with Australia’s fauna such as honeycomb and fan tail.

Land birds introduced by Europeans in the 19th century, essentially from Europe and Australia, dominate much of New Zealand. The most common are duck birds such as black swans and canes, parrots, song clerks, comforters, sparrows, finches and cataracts.

Pheasant, deer, trout and salmon were introduced for the sport. The settlers brought with them various species of animals from their homeland, both pets, pets and hunting game. Many were successful and predator species were introduced to control these. A total of 53 mammal species were introduced, of which about 30 occur in free-living condition. The introduction of animals to New Zealand is a good example of the adverse effects that may arise from the uncontrolled introduction of alien species into an area.

There are no snakes, but a few lizards like geckos and hams. Of the ambifier are three tail frogs in the genus Leiopelma, with their closest relative in North America. One of the strangest animals is the broogle or tuatara, the only living representative of the ancient reptile order of Rhynchocephalia. New Zealand fur and New Zealand sea lion breed along the coast in the south and on sub-Antarctic islands. In the sea there is plenty of fish, oysters and so on.Sharks are common in the north.

Plant life in New Zealand

The plant life in New Zealand is very peculiar. There are approx. 1000 wild-growing seedlings, of which 700 are native (endemic). Most of the 300 found elsewhere in the world belong to Australia or Polynesia. The vegetation at the far north is subtropical, further south is temperate forest. Ferns and tree ferns are common everywhere. The forests are heavily carved, but there are still large forests of kaurifuru on the north island, and of southern beech in the cool regions of the southwest on south island.

New Zealand Country Overview

Visa
As of 1 October 2019, a Finnish citizen needs an electronic travel authorization (NZeTA) when traveling to New Zealand. The application can be sent from 1 July 2019 via the EEA Mobile App or on the New Zealand authorities’ website, which you can access here. An electronic travel authorization costs NZD 9-12 and at the same time passengers are also charged a tourist tax of NZD 35. The electronic travel authorization is valid for two years.
The passport must be valid for 6 months after the end of the trip.

• According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG, ZK stands for New Zealand.

Insurance
Everyone participating in the trip must have a valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the event of illness or other similar need. Please check the validity of your own insurance and the terms and conditions of the insurance cancellation cover.

Please pay attention to the special nature of your trip and check the coverage of the insurance in that respect as well. In many locations, the insurance must also be valid when moving at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, in which case it also covers mountain sickness.

Many hiking or diving trips require more extensive insurance, which covers, for example, diving or moving on a glacier. Please check the contents of your insurance with your insurance company.

Vaccinations
Check the vaccination requirements at your health center

Currency: The currency of New Zealand is the dollar. 1 euro = 1.53 NZD. Currency can be obtained from Finland by booking in advance. Check availability and course at www.forex.fi.

Climate
New Zealand is located in the southern hemisphere. Regional climatic differences are large, due to the long shape of the country and the fact that it is an island state. On the South Island, the weather is dominated by a westerly wind that collects a lot of rain on the lush South Island. In addition, the relatively close location of Antarctica appears during the cold winter months, especially in the south. The very northern part of the country has a subtropical climate and snow only in the mountains. Other parts of the islands may have frost and snow may also fall at sea level. In the northern parts, winters are mild and summers warm and humid. In different seasons the weather conditions vary considerably, rain is obtained all year round.

Travel Seasons
When traveling to New Zealand, you need to remember that the further south you go, the colder the climate will change. The best time to travel is from December to February. Then the air is warm and the days are long and sunny. The temperature remains between 20 and 30 degrees. During March-May, the air is also pleasantly warm. June to August is the coldest time when the temperature drops to 10-15 degrees.