Composed of two main islands, New Zealand is also dominated by two cultural groups: New Zealanders of Caucasian descent, and the Maori. According to Maori oral history, Maoris arrived on the islands about 1,000 years ago. European settlement in New Zealand during the 19th century led to the Treaty of Waitangi (1840) between representatives of the British Crown and Maori chiefs.

• Capital City: Wellington
  
• Population: 4 million (Statistics New Zealand, 2003)
  
• Major languages: English, Maori
  
• Major religion: Christianity
  
• Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 81 years (women) (UN)
  
• Monetary unit: 1 New Zealand dollar ($NZ) = 100 cents
  
• Main exports: Wool, food and dairy products, wood and paper products
  
• Average annual income: US $13,250 (World Bank, 2001)
  
• Internet domain: .nz
  
• International dialling code: +64

THE MEDIA

New Zealand's broadcasters enjoy one of the world's most liberal media arenas.
The broadcast sector was deregulated in 1988, when the government allowed competition to the state broadcaster, Television New Zealand.
Ruia Mai became the country's first Maori-owned, Maori language radio station when it launched in 1996.
The New Zealand Herald newspaper published in Auckland has the biggest circulation.

• The Press
  
  • New Zealand Herald
    
  • Dominion-Post
    
  • Otago Daily Times
    
• Television
  
  • Television New Zealand (TVNZ) - state-owned, operates TV One and entertainment-based
  • TV 2
    
  • TV 3 - private network
    
  • TV 4 - private network
    
  • Prime TV - private network
    
  • Sky TV - pay-TV operator
    
• Radio
  
  • Radio New Zealand - public broadcaster, runs three radio networks: National Radio, Concert
  • FM and the AM Network
    
  • Radio New Zealand International - external service, broadcasting to South Pacific region via shortwave
    
  • Niu FM - national government-funded station for New Zealand's Pacific islander communities
    
  • Ruia Mai - Maori-owned, Maori-language broadcaster
    
  • Radio Pacific - speech-based network
    
  • Radio Network - runs stations ZM, The Rock and Newstalk ZB
    
  • The Edge - pop music
    
  • Radio Hauraki - ex-pirate station, rock music
    
  • RBG - Rhema Broadcasting Group - operates Christian stations Rhema Radio, Southern Star Network and Life FM
    
• News agency
  
• New Zealand Press Association