Das Wasser eines Neuseelaendischen Sees ist so klar und Flach das eine optimale Spiegelung der Berge im Hintergrund moeglich ist

New Zealand

Highlights in New Zealand

Geography of New Zealand

It is difficult to say precisely which continent New Zealand is part of, both from a geographical and a cultural perspective. The island nation in the South Pacific is completely isolated and covers an area of 268,680 km². New Zealand is made up of the North Island and the South Island, which are separated by the Cook Strait (23 km wide at its narrowest point). The country also has more than 700 small islands, such as Great Barrier island and Waiheke Island.
New Zealand’s North Island is the more densely populated of the two. It is home to approximately three quarters of New Zealand's population. The capital Wellington and the country’s largest city, Auckland (the city of sails), are located on the North Island. The North Island is dominated by a green hilly landscape, but is extremely varied. The West Coast has a number of astounding sandy beaches like Ninety Mile Beach. It also has two natural harbours - Kaipara Harbour and Hokianga Harbour. The Waipoua Forest can be found to the south of the natural harbours. It is home to enormous evergreen kauri trees. The interior of the North Island is a hilly region used primarily for forestry and agriculture. The centre of the North Island is dominated by the Volcanic Plateau. Tongariro National Park, along with its active volcanoes Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruaphehu, have been declared a combined world culture and natural heritage site by UNESCO. Lake Taupo, the country’s largest lake, and the Huka waterfalls lie at the centre of the island.
The South Island is dominated by the Southern Alps, and is slightly larger and emptier. This mountain range runs parallel to the west coast. The Southern Alps contain the mighty Mount Cook, the highest peak in New Zealand. The West Coast region has some of the highest precipitation on earth. This causes some glaciers to move from the Southern Alps to the coastal rainforests. The alluvial plain to the east of the Southern Alps is known as the Canterbury Plains. The south of the island contains countless breathtaking fjords, of which Milford Sound is probably the most famous. Large stretches of the south-west of the country are protected national parks. The largest cities on the South Island are Christchurch (known as the most English city in New Zealand) and Scottish influenced Dunedin. The South Island also contains extensive forest landscapes and dense rainforests.

Cape Reinga ist der noerdlichste Punkt Neuseelands und gilt als touristen Attraktion

Geomorphology/Geology

Roughly 80 million years ago New Zealand was separated from the supercontinent Gondwana. Due to this early isolation several species were able to evolve independently and therefore are endemic nowadays. New Zealand's landscape is mainly influenced by its position on the rim of the Australian plate and the Pacific plate. Due to plate movement and the subduction of the Pacific under the Australian plate the Southern Alps and the plateau on the north island were formed. Moreover also volcanism and glacial movement influenced the modern landscape. Nowadays active volcanism can still be seen (e.g. White Island) and also numerous fjords remind visitors of former cold periods.

Die Pancakerocks sind eines der vielen Wahrzeichen Neuseelands
Moerki Boulders in Neuseeland sind eine einzigartige Gesteinformation entstanden durch Erosion und Gezeiten

Travel Tipps and Trivia for New Zealand

Climate in New Zealand

Due to its location in the temperate zone the climate in New Zealand is mostly relatively benign with moderate rainfall and many hours of sunshine. The climate is mainly influenced by the sea and the glaciers and may vary from subtropical conditions in the northern top of the island to temperatures of -10°C in the inland of the southern island. In New Zealand the seasons change from spring (September-November) to summer (December-February), autumn (March-May) and winter (June-August). On both islands you should be prepared to relatively sudden shifts in temperature and weather as well as strong UV-rays.

Flora and Fauna in New Zealand

Due to its early geographic isolation a unique ecosystem was able to evolve. Nowadays about 85% of New Zealand’s plants are endemic like various types of ferns which are also the national symbol of the country. Moreover also the Kauri trees that can reach a height of up to 50 m play an important role on the islands as they are holy to the Maori. Mainly coniferous and deciduous forests grow on New Zealand´s evergreen hills.
Moreover several animals and especially many birds are endemic today. As there were almost no mammals on land up to the day of its colonialization, birds filled the ecological niches and some even lost their ability to fly. Examples are the Takahe, the Weka or the Kiwi bird, which is also a national symbol of New Zealand. Moreover several species of parrots, penguins, dolphins and whales are at home in New Zealand and along its coasts.

Wal vor der neuseelaendischen Kueste   Wale reisen auf ihren jaehrlichen Wanderungen immer wieder durch die Gewaesser nahe der Neuseelaendischen Kueste
Die Flora und Fauna Neuseelands bietet gerade in ihrer Biodervisitaet ein extrem breites Spektrum

Social Geography of New Zealand

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