Land of the Long White Cloud
Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand.
Over 1,200 years ago, the first settlers arrived on the shores of New Zealand. They sailed across the Pacific Ocean, in small wooden canoes, in search of new land. The first people to inhabit the islands of New Zealand came from other island nations in Polynesia. They called themselves the Maori, and brought their language and customs to this new and beautiful place, which they named Aotearoa (land of the long white cloud).
Quickly, they began changing the landscape to fit their new settlements. When they first arrived, 80% of New Zealand was covered in lush forests. Over a period of 500 years, only 50% of land remained forested, since much had been cleared for building homes, making boats, and hunting. Some native animals, such as the giant flightless bird called the moa, had their forest habitat burned and were hunted to extinction.
Although the Maori did cut down much of the native forest, they still held a great connection to their natural surroundings. They valued the beauty of the forests and all of the food, medicine, wood, and weaving materials it provided for their daily use. Today, the Maori people continue to respect and protect their natural environment. Before cutting wood to build canoes, they perform rituals to honor the trees and release them from the spirits that they believe watch over the forests.
Europeans arrived in New Zealand about 200 years ago. Like the Maori, they too cleared a great amount of land for planting crops and grazing animals. Today, only 25% of New Zealand remains forested, but the native forests that are left are now well protected. Most of the wood used for building materials and making paper products comes from non-native tree stands that are planted to be cut. This is called sustainable agroforestry.
The people of New Zealand recognize how fortunate they are to live in a place of such great beauty, and they know how important it is for them to help keep nature in balance for years to come. The lush forests, rugged coastline, rolling pasture land, and volcanic peaks of this scenic country will continue to bring people from around the world to admire the land of the long white cloud.
Over 1,200 years ago, the first settlers arrived on the shores of New Zealand. They sailed across the Pacific Ocean, in small wooden canoes, in search of new land. The first people to inhabit the islands of New Zealand came from other island nations in Polynesia. They called themselves the Maori, and brought their language and customs to this new and beautiful place, which they named Aotearoa (land of the long white cloud).
Quickly, they began changing the landscape to fit their new settlements. When they first arrived, 80% of New Zealand was covered in lush forests. Over a period of 500 years, only 50% of land remained forested, since much had been cleared for building homes, making boats, and hunting. Some native animals, such as the giant flightless bird called the moa, had their forest habitat burned and were hunted to extinction.
Although the Maori did cut down much of the native forest, they still held a great connection to their natural surroundings. They valued the beauty of the forests and all of the food, medicine, wood, and weaving materials it provided for their daily use. Today, the Maori people continue to respect and protect their natural environment. Before cutting wood to build canoes, they perform rituals to honor the trees and release them from the spirits that they believe watch over the forests.
Europeans arrived in New Zealand about 200 years ago. Like the Maori, they too cleared a great amount of land for planting crops and grazing animals. Today, only 25% of New Zealand remains forested, but the native forests that are left are now well protected. Most of the wood used for building materials and making paper products comes from non-native tree stands that are planted to be cut. This is called sustainable agroforestry.
The people of New Zealand recognize how fortunate they are to live in a place of such great beauty, and they know how important it is for them to help keep nature in balance for years to come. The lush forests, rugged coastline, rolling pasture land, and volcanic peaks of this scenic country will continue to bring people from around the world to admire the land of the long white cloud.