New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses—the North Island (or "Te Ika-a-Māui"), and the South Island (or "Te Waipounamu")—and around 600 smaller islands. New Zealand is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. During its long period of isolation, New Zealand developed a distinct biodiversity of animal, fungal and plant life. The country's varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks, such as the Southern Alps, owe much to the tectonic uplift of land and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington, while its most populous city is Auckland. 

Sometime between 1250 and 1300 CE, Polynesians settled in the islands that later were named New Zealand and developed a distinctive Māori culture. In 1642, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European to sight New Zealand. In 1840, representatives of Britain and Māori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi, which declared British sovereignty over the islands. In 1841, New Zealand became a colony within the British Empire and in 1907 it became a Dominion. Today, the majority of New Zealand's population of 4.7 million is of European descent; the indigenous Māori are the largest minority, followed by Asians and Pacific Islanders. Reflecting this, New Zealand's culture is mainly derived from Māori and early British settlers, with recent broadening arising from increased immigration. The official languages are English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language, with English predominant.
What ocean is New Zealand in?
Which part?
What are the two parts of NZ?
What is the North Island also known as?
And the South Island?
How many small islands are there?
Where is it in relation to Australia?
across which body of water?
and south of what?
Was it setetled early by humans?
Is the topography all the same?
Does it have mountains?
which ones?
What is its capital?
What is the most populous city?
What happened between 1250 and 1300?
what kind of  culture did they have?
Who is Tasman?
What happened in 1840?
and in 1841?
Pacific Ocean
 Pacific Ocean
southwestern
southwestern 
the North Island and the South Island
the North Island (or "Te Ika-a-Māui"), and the South Island (or "Te Waipounamu")
Te Ika-a-Māui
Te Ika-a-Māui
Te Waipounamu
Te Waipounamu
around 600
around 600 
east of Australia
east of Australia
Tasman Sea
Tasman Sea
Pacific island areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga
 Pacific island areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga
no
last lands t
no
varied 
yes
and its sharp mountain peaks
Southern Alps
Southern Alps
Wellington
Wellington
Auckland
Auckland
Polynesians settled in the islands
Polynesians settled in the islands that later were named New Zealand and developed a distinctive Māori culture
Māori culture
Māori culture
first European to sight New Zealand
 first European to sight New Zealand
representatives of Britain and Māori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi, which declared British sovereignty over the islands
representatives of Britain and Māori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi, which declared British sovereignty over the islands
New Zealand became a colony
New Zealand became a colony within the British Empire and in 1907 it became a Dominion. 