New Zealand
New Zealand is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, consisting of the North Island and South Island. Discovered in 1642 by Abel Tasman, it was colonized by the British in the 19th century. The Maori, a Polynesian people, inhabited the islands before the Europeans. In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British Crown and the Maori, establishing British sovereignty.
In the 20th century, New Zealand gained independence from the British Empire in 1947. Today, it is a constitutional monarchy with a strong cultural and sporting tradition (especially in rugby) and remarkable natural beauty.
