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This article is from the New Zealand FAQ, by Phil Stuart-Jones and Lin Nah with numerous contributions by others.

B1.1 Where Is New Zealand?

New Zealand is in the south-west                            \_
Pacific and has two large islands,                           \}
one smaller island, and numerous                              \9
much smaller islands.  It is usual                  North      )`-'7
to refer to the main islands as 'the                Island    (   c`
North Island' and 'the South Island'.                          )  /
                                                           F,% n_/
For a larger map of the main islands            South     J  /
see section B6.  For a map showing              Island   /  6
the dependencies, see an atlas...                      /   /
                                                      {_, /`
Ascii maps are copyright,              Stewart Island  @ ~
please do not repost.

New Zealand = Aotearoa, Niu Tireni (uncommon, adulteration of 'New
Zealand'), Land of the Long White Cloud, 'Godzone'
North Island = Aotearoa (original name(?) referring to the NI only?),
Te Ika-a-Maui[-Tikitiki-A-Taranga] (The Fish of Maui),
Nga Ahi o Maui (verification and definition anyone?)
South Island = Te Waka-a-Maui (The Canoe of Maui), Te Wa[h]ipounamu
(Greenstone waters or Place of Greenstone)
Stewart Island = Rakiura (The Land of Glowing Skies) or
Te punga o te waka a Maui (The anchor of Maui's canoe)

"Kiwiland" is slang for "New Zealand" and not very common. "Down Under"
tends to mean Australia but may also include NZ. Australia is occasionally
known as 'the West Island'.

 

Continue to:

• prev: A3 Internet Access Within NZ
• Index
• next: B1.1.2 New Zealand: Statistics

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