New Zealand — Capital, Flag and Country Facts

Explore New Zealand: capital Wellington, population, flag, geography, languages, history and culture.

New Zealand is in Oceania. Its capital is Wellington.

Climate

Temperate maritime; mild temperatures year-round with moderate rainfall; conditions vary from subtropical in the north to cooler in the south

Predominantly mountainous with large coastal plains; volcanic plateau in the North Island; Southern Alps in the South Island; fjords in the southwest

New Zealand was the first country to give women the right to vote in 1893.

New Zealand has more sheep than people — roughly six sheep for every person.

New Zealand was the last major landmass to be settled by humans.

1300: Polynesian settlers (Māori) arrive in New Zealand

1642: Dutch explorer Abel Tasman becomes first European to sight New Zealand

1840: Treaty of Waitangi signed between the British Crown and Māori chiefs

1893: New Zealand becomes the first country to grant women the right to vote

1953: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay make first confirmed ascent of Mount Everest

2011: Devastating earthquake strikes Christchurch