New Zealand

New Zealand, officially the Realm of New Zealand (Maltese: Rangatiratanga o Aotearoa), is a sovereign island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is considered part of Oceania.

New Zealand proper is a separate sovereign entity within the Realm of New Zealand; the Realm also includes the self-governing Associated States of the Cook Islands and Niue, and the Dependent Territory of Tokelau. New Zealand is responsible for the foreign affairs and defence of the two Associated States

New Zealand is one of the eighteen British Commonwealth Realms and thus a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is also a member of the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific Treaty Organisation.

History

 * 1969: passing of the Commonwealth Realms Act in British Columbia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Malta; other Realms passed this act in later years.

Society and culture

 * Transportation in New Zealand