North Island Travel Directory

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North Island People & Population

NEW ZEALAND
Capital City:	Wellington
Area:	268,020 km˛ (103,490 mi˛)
Population:	3.9 million (2002 Estimate)
Regions of New Zealand
AUCKLAND
Major City:	Auckland
Area:	16,140 km˛ (6235 mi˛)
Population:	1.25 million (2002 Estimate)
BAY OF PLENTY
Major Cities:	Rotorua, Tauranga, and Whakatane
Area:	13,000 km˛ (5020 mi˛)
Population:	250,000 (2002 Estimate)
CANTERBURY
Major City:	Christchurch
Area:	42,200 km˛ (16,294 mi˛)
Population:	503,800 (2002 Estimate)
GISBORNE
Major City:	Gisborne
Area:	8,265 km˛ (3192 mi˛)
Population:	45,200 (2002 Estimate)
HAWKE'S BAY
Major City:	Napier
Area:	14,160 km˛ (5468 mi˛)
Population:	148,000 (2002 Estimate)
MANAWATU-WANGANUI
Major Cities:	Wanganui and Palmerston North
Area:
Population:	227,100 (2002 Estimate)
NELSON-MARLBOROUGH - includes the unitary authorities of Nelson City, Tasman, and Marlborough
Major City:	Nelson City
Area:	12,500 km˛ (4830 mi˛)
Population:	128,100 (2002 Estimate)
NORTHLAND
Major City:	Whangarei
Area:	12,500 km˛ (4827 mi˛)
Population:	145,400 (2002 Estimate)
OFFSHORE ISLANDS - including Chatham Islands, Stewart Island, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, and Kermadec Islands
Major City:	Not applicable
Area:	Over 3800 km˛ (1470 mi˛)
Population:	750 (2002 Estimate)
Prime Industries:	Ecotourism, fishing, and pastoral farming
OTAGO
Major City:	Dunedin
Area:	32,000 km˛ (12,360 mi˛)
Population:	190,600 (2002 Estimate)
SOUTHLAND
Major City:	Invercargill
Area:	30,360 km˛ (11720 mi˛)
Population:	93,400 (2002 Estimate)
TARANAKI
Major City:	New Plymouth
Area:	7234 km˛ (2800 mi˛)
Population:	105,500 (2002 Estimate)
WAIKATO
Major City:	Hamilton
Area:	25,000 km˛ (9660 mi˛)
Population:	373,200 (2002 Estimate)
WELLINGTON
Major City:	Wellington
Area:	8130 km˛ (3139 mi˛)
Population:	445,400 (2002 Estimate)
WEST COAST
Major City:	Greymouth
Area:	23,000 km˛ (8880 mi˛)
Population:	30,800 (2002 Estimate)

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New Zealand's Official Languages
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The two official languages of New Zealand are English and Maori. English is the language of day-to-day business within New Zealand, a remnant of ties to the British Commonwealth. Maori is a Polynesian language similar to the languages of other Pacific Island cultures, such as Hawaiian, Tongan, and Samoan. Over 160,000 people in New Zealand speak Maori (2001 Census).

The Maori language has been part of New Zealand and its culture since the first people came to the Islands. However, Maori has only been recognised as an official language of New Zealand since the Maori Language Act of 1987. English-Maori bilingualism and the development and use of the Maori language is encouraged by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori-the Maori Language Commission.

Maori and English are used throughout the country in various television and radio programs.

As with other regions in the world where two cultures have been mixed, English has influenced Maori and Maori has influenced English. A number of words in each language have crossed in to the vocabulary of the other. English has introduced motuka (car) and Maori has replied with taboo (tapu).

Many places in New Zealand have been christened with two names - one English, one Maori. And, in some cases, these names are used interchangeably.

NOTE: The macron (a bar written above a vowel to depict elongation) has not been included in Maori names in this article due to technical restraints. For an authoritative spelling of these and other Maori words, consult with Te Taura Whiri I te Reo Maori-the Maori Language Commission (www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz).

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