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New Zealand: Overview

New Zealand: Overview. Flora/Fauna of NZ. Plant/Animal life Very Distinct to NZ Gondwana = Separated from rest of world for millions of years Very few defense mechanisms Fire, animals, etc…. Fauna – “animal life”. 1 natural mammal = a bat NO predators what so ever Flightless birds

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New Zealand: Overview

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  1. New Zealand: Overview

  2. Flora/Fauna of NZ • Plant/Animal life • Very Distinct to NZ • Gondwana = Separated from rest of world for millions of years • Very few defense mechanisms • Fire, animals, etc…

  3. Fauna – “animal life” • 1 natural mammal = a bat • NO predators what so ever • Flightless birds • Because it broke away so long ago, many things went extinct, and others evolved to the lack of predators

  4. The Kiwi • About 17” tall • Weight about 7lbs. • Nocturnal • Great nose, like anteater can smell worms, etc… underground • No wings

  5. Tuatara • Related to Dinosaurs • Lived 200 million yrs ago • Haven’t changed for 200 million years • Roughly 2ft in length • The Maori believe they are a messenger from the god of death Whiro

  6. Giant Moa • 12 ft tall • 500 + lbs. • Extinct since late 19th century • Flightless • Killed off by Native Maori and European settlers

  7. Invasive Species • The possum, as well as rabbits • Came from Australia on ships • No predators = 70 million + • Carry TB, kill kiwis, destroy plant life

  8. The Maori

  9. Origins • The Maori people are the indigenous people of New Zealand. • They are of Polynesian origins and comprise about 15% of the population. • It is believed that the Maori migrated from Polynesia in canoes between the 9th to 13th century

  10. Legends • Maori legend says that the Maori came from "Hawaiki", the legendary homeland about 1000 years ago • Aotearoa is the Maori name for New Zealand and means Land of the long white cloud

  11. literature in Maori was orally passed to generations. Included legends and waiata (song) • The most recognized tradition is the "Haka" • The Haka was performed before the onset of war • The All Blacks perform this dance before every game

  12. The All Blacks (Rugby)

  13. The Moko • Another prominent feature of Maori culture are the striking tattoos • Full faced tattoos or "moko", was predominantly a male activity. Female forms of moko were restricted to the chin area , the upper lip, and the nostrils.

  14. MOKO

  15. Arrival of Europe • Dutch navigator Abel Tasman was the first European to encounter the Maori but was met w/hostility (1642) • In 1769 British explorer James Cook established friendly relations with some Maori • By 1800, visits by European ships were relatively frequent.

  16. Europe Cont. • By this time,(1800’S) the Maori population was severely reduced with the arrival of European settlers. • War & disease took their toll till eventually the population dropped to about 100,000.

  17. Waitangi • In 1840 representatives of Britain and Maori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi. • established British rule, granted the Maori British citizenship, and recognized Maori land rights. • Due to translation problems, Maori are stripped of rights > land wars

  18. Maori Today • over 500,000 today. This is about 15% of New Zealand's population • Over 95 percent of Maori live on New Zealand's North Island. • Maori rights have increased greatly and they are recognized as the founders of NZ

  19. Sporting Culture • Sports play a massive role in New Zealand culture. • Rugby and cricket are amongst the top • Extreme sports are huge here as well • Bungy Jumping, zorbing, etc…

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