New Zealand is an Island Country in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean comprising comprises two main landmasses ‒ that of the North and South Islands ‒ and numerous smaller islands
History
The first Europeans known to have reached New Zealand were Dutch explorer Abel Tasman and his crew in 1642
New Zealand, originally part of the colony of New South Wales , became a separate Colony of NZ on July 1,1841.
The colony gained a representative Govt in 1852 and the 1st NZ Parliament met in 1854.
In 1856 the colony effectively became self-governing, gaining responsibility over all domestic matters other than native policy.
In 1893 NZ became the 1st country in the world to grant all women the right to vote.
In 1894 pioneered the adoption of compulsory arbitration between employers and Unions.
From the early 19th century, Christian Missionaries began to settle New Zealand, eventually converting most of the Māori population
In 1907, at the request of the New Zealand Parliament,King Edward VII proclaimed New Zealand a Dominion within the British Empire, reflecting its self-governing status
Politics and Govt
NZ is a Constitutional Monarchy with Parliamentary Democracy
Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of the State,represented by the GG appointed by the Queen on the advice of the NZ PM.
The powers of the Queen and the Governor-General are limited by constitutional constraints and they cannot normally be exercised without the advice of cabinet
The Head of the Govt is the Prime Minister of NZ, by convention, the Parliamentary leader of the governing party or coalition
Cabinet is the most senior policy-making body and is led by the PM.The Cabinet is responsible to the NZ Parliament and all members of the cabinet must be members of the NZ Parliament
General elections are held every three years to elect members of the NZ Parliament.
NZ's Parliament is Unicameral known as 'House of Representatives' with 120 members.
Prime Minister of NZ
John Phillip Key(Leader of NZ National Party since 2006) is the current and the 38th PM of NZ in office from 2008 following the General Election held on Nov 8,2008 putting an end to the Labour Party Govt of 9 years led by Helen Clark after winning 59 seats ou of 122 seats in NZ Parliament as compared to Labour Party getting only 43 seats .
Also in the 2011 General Election held on Nov 26,2011,incumbent PM John Phillip Key wins and secure a second-term as Prime Minster of NZ
Earthquake in New Zealand - Feb 22,2011
At least 65 people were feared dead as a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck New Zealand's southern city of Christchurch early Tuesday 22.02.2011, damaging buildings and sending thousands of panicked people rushing into the streets.
There had been "multiple" fatalities at several locations after the quake hit around 12.51 pm local time five kilometres from the city at a depth of just four kilometres.
It was the second major quake to hit Christchurch, a city of 350,000, in five months, though Tuesday's 6.3-magnitude temblor caused far more destruction than a stronger September quake
Christchurch Cathedral fallen tower
Christchurch's mayor declared a state of emergency, saying it was a "black day" for the city
. The Christchurch earthquake will cost up to $11 billion and affect GDP growth by 1.5 per cent, the New Zealand government said on06.03.2011
New Zealand Oil Spill - Oct 12,2011
The
47,230 tonne Liberian-flagged Rena lists in heavy swells, about 12
nautical miles from Tauranga, on the east coast of New Zealand's North
Island, a week after hitting the Astrolabe Reef, October 12, 2011
The
vessel Rena grounded on the Astrolabe reef near Tauranga on Oct. 5 and
authorities feared the worst as about 385 tons of oil initially
spilled into the ocean, fouling local beaches.But in a stop-start
effort, salvage crews began pumping oil in the days after the grounding
while bad weather threatened to tear the ship apart.
On
Monday 14.11.2011, Maritime New Zealand announced it had finished
pumping 1,454 tons of oil from the ship and was sending a sea crane to
the vessel to begin removing some of the 1,280 containers that remain
on board.
New Zealand General Elections
General Elections in New Zealand normally occur at least every 3 years.
Elections always take place on a Saturday, so as to minimise the effect of work or religious commitments that could inhibit people from voting.
New Zealand since 1996 has used the 'Mixed Memeber Proportional' (MMP) voting system, giving voters two votes: one for a political party and the other for their local electorate MP.
The voting process uses printed voting ballots, with voters marking their choices (one vote for a candidate and one vote for a party)
2011New Zealand General Elections
The 2011 New Zealand general election to take place on Saturday Nov 26, 2011 and will determine membership of the 50th Parliament of New Zealand.
120 MPs will be elected to the New Zealand "House of Representatives"(Parliament);70 from single-member electorates throughout the country, and 50 from party lists.
544 individuals contest the election.Of those, 91 are list-only, 73 are electorate-only (43 from registered parties, 17 independents, and 13 from non-registered parties), and 380 are contesting both list and electorate.
13 registered parties had put forward a party list to the Commission to contest the party vote(19 in 2008)
New Zealand's Ruling National Party Wins General Election
The ruling 'National Party'polled 47.99% votes and has won 41 Electorate Seats and 19 List Seats.
The 'Labour Party' polled 27.13 % votes and has won 22 Electorate Seats and 12List Seats.
The 'Green Party' polled 10.62% votes and has won 0 Electorate Seats and 13 List Seats.
PM John Key celebrates victory and a second term in office
Balloon Crash - Saturday Jan 7,2012
11 people have died in what is the worst New Zealand aviation disaster since the Erebus crash in 1979.
The balloon is believed to be a Cameron A-210, which can carry ten passengers plus one pilot. The balloon is one of the largest in New Zealand.
Mount Tongariro Erupts
The volcano, in the North Island, sent a column of ash at least 2km (1.25 miles) into the air.Mount Tongariro, one of three volcanoes in the centre of the North Island.No casualties or damage have been reported after the eruption.
The latest eruption happened at around 13:25 local time (00:25GMT) Wednsday Nov 21,2012 and lasted for around five minutes, experts said.
The 1,978m (6,490 ft) peak is in a national park popular with hikers.
New Zealand Vs South Africa -NZ Bowled for 45/10 in 19.2 Overs
New Zealand bowled out for a paltry 45 Runs in the first innings in just 19.2 Overs of the First Test Match by South Africa at Newlands,Capetown,South Africa on Day One on Wednesday Jan 02,2013
Fall of Wickets(New Zealand)
7/1(1.6 Overs) -Martin Guptill(1)
14/2(5.3 Overs) -Brendon McCullum(7)
14/3(5.6 Overs) -Dean Brownlie(0)
27/4(7.6 Overs) -Kane Williamson(13)
27/5(9.1 Overs) -Bradley-John Watling(0)
28/6(10.5 Overs) -James Franklin(1)
31/7(13.3 Overs) -Doug Bracewell(2)
38/8(16.4 Overs) -Jeetan Patel(5)
45/9(18.3 Overs) -Trent Boult(1)
45/10(19.2 Overs) -Daniel Flynn(8)
Wicket Takers(South Africa)
Vernon Philander 5-7(6 Overs)
Morne Morkel 3-14(6 Overs)
Dale Steyn 2-18(7.2 Overs)
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