the settlers (Pakeha) and the Maori. In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was

signed, with the Maori ceding sovereignty of their country to Britain in

exchange for protection and guaranteed possession of their lands. But

relations between the Maori and Pakeha soon soured (the Maoris became

increasingly alarmed at the effect the Pakeha had on their society while

the Pakeha rode roughshod over Maori rights outlined in the treaty). In

1860, war broke out between them, continuing for much of the decade before

the Maori were defeated.

By the late 19th century, things had temporarily calmed down. The discovery

of gold had engendered much prosperity, and wide-scale sheep farming meant

New Zealand became an efficient and mostly self-reliant country. Sweeping

social changes - women's suffrage, social security, the encouragement of

trade unions and the introduction of child care services - cemented New

Zealand's reputation as a country committed to egalitarian reform.

New Zealand was given dominion status in the British Empire in 1907 and

granted autonomy by Britain in 1931; independence, however, was not

formally proclaimed until 1947. The economy continued to prosper until the

worldwide recession in the 1980s, when unemployment rose dramatically.

Today the economy has stabilised, thanks largely to an export-driven

recovery. Internationally, New Zealand was hailed during the mid-1980s for

its anti-nuclear stance - even though it meant a falling-out with the USA -

and its opposition to French nuclear testing in the Pacific (which France

countered, to much opprobrium but little penalty, by blowing up the

Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior as it sat in Auckland Harbour).

The Maori population is now increasing faster than the Pakeha and a

resurgence in Maoritanga (Maori culture) has had a major and lasting impact

on New Zealand society. Culturally, the most heartening aspect had been the

mending of relations between the Maori and Pakeha (in 1985, the Treaty of

Waitangi was overhauled, leading to financial reparations to a number of

Maori tribes whose land had been unjustly confiscated). However, a recent

clumsy take-it-or-leave-it attempt by the New Zealand government to offer

financial reparations has resulted in an upsurge of militant Maori

protests. Maoris have disrupted events, occupied land claim areas, set up

roadblocks and threatened to blow-up the New Zealand parliament. The

disharmony has shocked New Zealanders and placed national conciliation at

the top of the political agenda.

26,000,000 B.C.

Southern alps rise above the ocean.

700 A.D.

Possible early settlement on the South Island by an archaic Maori

population originating in Polynesia.

10C

Date of discovery of New Zealand by Polynesian navigator Kupe according to

Maori legend. Islands named Aotearoa, "Land of the Long White Cloud".

12C

Settlement of the North Island.

13 and 14C

"Great Migration" from the Society Islands. Dwindling moa population.

Warrior society established.

1642

Dutch explorer Abel Tasman discovers west coast of the South Island. Dutch

name the country "Nieuw Zeeland" after the Dutch island province of

Zeeland.

1769-70

Captain James Cook circumnavigates and charts both islands, taking

possession of "New Zealand" for Britain.

1820s

First European settlement (in the Bay of Islands).

1830s

Intertribal wars abate due to introduction of musket and wholesale

slaughter.

1840

Treaty of Waitangi signed. Maoris cede sovereignty to Britain, obtain

guarantees of land ownership and "rights and privileges of British

subjects."

1850-1880

"Wool period" with importation of sheep from Australia. Also a period of

war and conflict over land ownership.

1882

Refrigerated ships introduced. Farmers turn to meat and dairy production.

1893

New Zealand becomes the first country in the world to give women the vote.

1907

Independence from UK.

1914-1918

One of every three men between 20 and 40 killed or wounded fighting for

Britain in World War I.

1939

New Zealand sends troops to fight for the Allies in Europe.

1941-45

Threatened by Japan, defended by United States Navy (eventually led to

ANZUS pact in 1951, a defensive alliance with the U.S. and Australia).

1947

New Zealand becomes independent by adopting Statue of Westminster.

1973

Britain joins European Economic Community and adopts their trade barriers

to New Zealand's agricultural products. Combined with high oil prices, this

was enough to devastate the economy.

1973-1984

Robert Muldoon's National Party expands welfare state and government

interventionism, running huge budget deficits financed with overseas money.

High inflation and unemployment cause massive emigration to Australia.

1975

Treaty of Waitangui Act passed to settle Maori land claimson the basis of

original treaty.

1984

New Labour government eliminates agricultural subsidies and wage and price

controls, lowers tax rates, begins a radical program of privatization.

1985

The bombing of the Rainbow Warrior from Greenpeace in Auckland by French

secret service agents. One man was killed (Fernando Pereira).

Economy

Since 1984 the government has been reorienting an agrarian economy

dependent on a guaranteed British market to an open free market economy

that can compete on the global scene. The government had hoped that dynamic

growth would boost real incomes, reduce inflationary pressures, and permit

the expansion of welfare benefits. The results have been mixed: inflation

is down from double-digit levels, but growth has been sluggish and

unemployment, always a highly sensitive issue, has exceeded 10% since May

1991. In 1988, GDP fell by 1%, in 1989 grew by a moderate 2.4%, and was

flat in 1990-91. Current (1994) growth is around 2-4% and rising.

The economy is based on agriculture (particularly dairy products, meat, and

wool (68 m sheep, 2 m dairy cows)), food processing, wood and paper

products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and

insurance, tourism, mining. Fish catch reached a record 0.5 m tonnes in

1988. Highly dependent on external trade, New Zealand is currently trying

to move from being a primary to a secondary producer.

Currency

Decimal system based on New Zealand dollar, with cent denominations. Coins

are 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, 1 and 2 dollars. Notes are 5, 10, 20, 50, and

100 dollars. Major credit cards are accepted widely.

Stockmarket

Same as overseas.

Interest Rates

Fluctuating between 6 and 8% depending on overseas markets.

Taxes

New Zealand operates a Goods and Services Tax of 12.5 per cent on ALL goods

and services sold and this is usually included in the display price. The

exceptions are purchases at duty free shops. Visitors cannot claim refunds

on this tax however when a supplier agrees to export a major item to a

visitors home address then GST will not be charged on the goods or the

freight.

Income tax 24% on first $30,874/year, 33% for every $ above this. There are

various rebates for things like low incomes, children, donations,

Housekeeper, Home/Farm/Vessel Ownbership, and others.

|Government Revenue Source|How it was expected to be |

|(1990) |spent (1990) |

|Income Tax |$16,95|Education |$3,912.|

|Gost and Service |0 |Health |5 |

|Tax |$5,500|Transport |$3,791.|

|Other Direct | |Administration |1 |

|Taxes |$360 |Development of |$711.6 |

|Excise Duties |$1,670|Industry |$2,769.|

|Highway tax | |Government |0 |

|Other Indirect |$670 |Borrowing |$1,231.|

|Tax |$790 |Foreign Relations |3 |

| | |Social Services |$575.1 |

| | | |$1,733.|

| | | |7 |

| | | |$10,292|

| | | |.1 |

|Total |$25,94|Total |$25,016|

| |0 | |.4 |

Life in General

Business Hours

Banks 9:00am to 4:30pm - can vary slightly. Otherwise, Monday to Friday

9:00am to 5:30pm. Late night for shopping is either Thursday or Friday.

Changes to the Shop Trading Hours Act means that most shops are open for

longer hours than this. Almost all are open Saturday morning, many are open

on Sunday with some shops and markets remaining open later during the week.

Automatic teller machines are widely available including a system in many

supermarkets and petrol stations called EFTPOS where you can buy goods with

your card and a PIN number and/or obtain cash. All international credit

cards are accepted in New Zealand. Travellers cheques can be changed in

banks, hotels, stores, etc.

There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency which may be

brought into or taken from New Zealand. Funds may be in the form of bank

notes, coins, travellers cheques or any other instrument of payment.

Visitors may convert surplus New Zealand currency at any outlet authorised

to deal in foreign exchange.

Events

Some of the noteworthy cultural events include: Summer City Programme

(January to February; Wellington) which is a series of festivals around the

city; Marlborough Food & Wine Festival (2nd week in February; Blenheim);

International Festival of the Arts (February, even-numbered years only;

Wellington), an entire month of national and international culture; Golden

Shears Sheep-Shearing Contest (March; Masterton), a must for lovers of

sheep, scat and sweat; and Canterbury Show Week (November; Christchurch)

which has agricultural exhibits, rides and local entertainment.

Tipping

Tipping is not unheard of in New Zealand. Employed people don't depend on

tips for their income and service charges are not [usually] added to hotel

and restaurant bills. Tip for service if you think it's deserved.

Getting There & Away

The overwhelming majority of visitors arrive by air. There are three

airports that handle international flights: Auckland (the major exit/entry

point), Wellington and Christchurch. Departure tax on international flights

is NZ$20. A few cruise ships visit New Zealand, but there are no regular

passenger ship services and working your way across the Pacific as crew on

a yacht now seems a thing of the past.

Getting Around

Although New Zealand is a compact country and generally easy to get around,

it makes good sense to fly - especially for the views over the mountains or

volcanoes. A variety of discounts also makes flying economical. New Zealand

has two major domestic airlines: Air New Zealand and Ansett New Zealand.

Several smaller airlines - Mt Cook Airline, Eagle Air and Air Nelson - are

partly owned by Air New Zealand and have been grouped together as `Air New

Zealand Link'. This network provides thorough coverage of the country.

New Zealand also has an extensive bus network, with the main operator being

InterCity (servicing both the North Island and South Island). The two other

major bus operators are Newmans (North Island) and Mt Cook Landline (South

Island). Services on main bus routes are frequent (at least once a day);

unfortunately they can be expensive and slow. A good alternative is to use

shuttle bus companies which are smaller, cheaper and friendlier than the

large bus companies. Some of them are designed to cater especially for

foreign travellers and/or backpackers and have lots of little `extras' that

make them particularly attractive; other companies, perhaps drawing on the

experiences of Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters, can take you around New

Zealand on `alternative' buses which are often an unhurried way of seeing

the country.

Main train routes are few, though train travel is reasonably quick. Trains

are modern and comfortable, and the fares are sometimes cheaper than those

by bus on the same routes.

Car travel (New Zealanders drive on the left) is recommended as the roads

are good and well signposted and the distances short. Rentals of cars,

motorcycles and campervans are popular with a range of special deals

available.

There are plenty of boat services, including the Interislander ferry

(operating between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South

Island.

And finally, there's always cycling around the country. Many travellers

describe New Zealand as a cyclists' paradise: it's clean, green, uncrowded

and unspoiled, and there are plenty of places where you can camp or find

cheap accommodation. Bicycle rental can be daily, weekly or monthly and is

inexpensive.

Crime

While it may be `safe' compared to most other countries, serious crime does

exist here and visitors should take sensible precautions. Always lock your

vehicle, and don't leave it in isolated locations for extended periods.

Avoid leaving valuables visible in the car. Avoid areas/situations which

appear unwholesome. The emergency phone number (police, ambulance, fire) is

111, and ask the operator for the service required (this can be used from

payphones without paying).

Health

New Zealand operates a no-fault accident compensation scheme which covers

residents and visitors. Personal injury through accident entitles the

injured party to compensation for reasonable expenses related to the

accident. Due to abuse, this has been reworked recently and compensation is

far harder to obtain.

Water Supply

New Zealand cities and towns have good public water. Water is safe to drink

out of the tap. The water in Christchurch *is* totally untreated and is

supposed to be the purist domestic water supply in the world...

In bush walking areas giardia has been found so its advisable to check

before drinking from rivers or streams. Boiling water for five minutes or

more is advised where advice is not available.

Communications

Telephone Country Code = 64

The Telephone is similar to British Telecom style. Uses BT 600 plug (not RJ-

11) Phone line is pins 2 and 5 of the BT 600 plug (RJ-11 is pins 3 & 4).

Hotels will have difficulty in converting plugs styles but conversion

cables are available from retailers.

Most New Zealand telephone systems can handle DTMF tone dialling. BEWARE:

New Zealand pulse dialing is the reverse of most countries. The digit are

reversed and so produce different numbers of pulses. The conversion is:

digit | # of Pulses

--------+------------

0 | 10

1 | 9

2 | 8

[.....]

8 | 2

9 | 1

The best solution is to use tone dialing.

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