Country information – New Zealand
Australia’s neighbour in the south-east is New Zealand, even though kiwis don’t like to be referred though Aussie, consisting of 2 islands: the North Island and the South Island. The indigenous people, the Maoris, call it Aotearoa meaning “The Land of the Long White Cloud”. New Zealand is famous for its beautiful landscape, extreme sports and the friendly, relaxed people. There are about 100,000 students studying at the major universities and polytechnics in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Obtaining a study visa is fairly easy through New Zealand embassies worldwide and NZ Immigration. The universities and colleges in New Zealand rank among the world’s best and have a reputation for being modern and practically orientated. There is a lot of information and help available to international students, especially in the first time when meeting people and organizing oneself is important. English courses as first steps are recommended.
Regarding the education system, one has various opportunities in the wide range of subjects and duration, for example, an undergraduate program can be between 6 months or 4 years. The integration of international students is good and uncomplicated as the government is keen to support a good mix of national and international students.
Students educated at NZ universities and colleges earn a reputation as innovative and successful thinkers all over the world, attributes which describe New Zealand as well. Compared to Europe, New Zealand is very young, its early settlement started in the 18th century with immigrants from Europe (mainly the UK) and in the 20th and 21st century with immigrants from Asia, forming NZ to a multicultural country.
English is the official language in use, but Maori –the native language of the very first settlers to NZ who are also called Maoris- is taught in schools and used for official Maori affairs as there is also a Maori government in parliament, representing Maori interests such as land claims and future developments in a peaceful way of living with “Pakeha” or “Kiwis” as the New Zealand people of European origin are called.
The North Island has a more tropical climate, whereas the South island has a more rough and alpine climate. Its nature and landscape is very diverse: there are tropical forests and volcanoes in the North Island, mountains, fjords and farm land in the South island. The west coast is said to be rougher than the calm east coast.
Kiwis love their sports, especially cricket, rugby and sea sports as the country has a long coast line. Auckland is also called the “City of sails”; Wellington is famous for its windy weather because of the Cook Strait, dividing the North from the South Island. Christchurch has an English, and Dunedin a Scottish touch, traces of the early settlers.
People coming to NZ love to travel around; there are many travel options by public (bus, train) or private transports (hired vans and cars). While travelling around have NZ $ in hand rather than plastic money. Accommodation in backpackers and Bed & Breakfasts is fairly cheap and there is a lot to see and do. Feel free to try a bungee jump at the Kawarau Bridge near Queenstown, the best place of extreme sports, take one of the beautiful walks, go skiing and surfing in one and the same day! Be welcome by a hearty “KIA ORA” (In Maori for “Welcome!”).