美国社会与文化

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This semester we have learned many about New Zealand and the America, so I will reflect what I acquired in this class. First, I will introduce from New Zealand.

New Zealand

New Zealand, also has another name ―Maori Aotearoa‖,meaning ―land of the long whi te cloud‖. It is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, the southwestern part of Polynesia. The country comprises two main islands—the North and South islands—and a number of small islands, some of them hundreds of miles from the main group and the third largest island is the Stewart Island. The capital city is Wellington, which is the southernmost and windiest capital city; the largest urban area Auckland, whose skyline is dominated by the cones of extinct volcanoes, and both are located on the North Island, which has been formed mostly by volcanoes. Contemporary New Zealand has a majority of people of European origin, a significant minority of Maori, and smaller numbers of people from Pacific islands and Asia. In the early 21st century, Asians were the fastest-growing demographic group.

Most New Zealanders live in cities and towns, and about 75% live in the North Island .With a higher birthrate and lower mortality, the North Island had a faster increase number in population. Around 80% of New Zealanders identify themselves as having some European ancestry. New Zealander’s environmental awareness is reflected in legislation, and they are keen to take environmental responsibility on an individual basis, as well as nationally and internationally. New Zealand is now a clean, green image: fresh air; clean rivers, lakes and sea; clean food; green trees and mountains and blue skies.

New Zealand is predominantly an English-speaking country, though English, Maori, and New Zealand Sign Language are official languages. Virtually all Maori speak English, and about one-fourth of them also speak Maori.

New Zealand is nominally Christian, with Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and Methodist denominations being the largest. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam have a small but growing number of adherents. There is no established (official) religion, but Anglican cathedrals are generally used for state occasions.

New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the right to vote and in terms of equality and opportunity; quality of working life and social welfare provisions, the standard of living is relatively high.

The next is Maoritanga, which means ―Maori culture‖, and embraces the language, customs and traditions that make up the rich heritage of the indigenous people. They also have many traditions, such as the strict protocols at a funeral or conference to show their respect, and the best known internationally is the haka, a dance performed to terrify the enemy and prepare warriors for battle.

And also the Political System is very different.It is an independent state, governed by a democratically elected parliament and it has no written constitution. The head of state is the British monarch Queen Elizabeth Ⅱin her capacity as Queen of New Zealand, represented by a Governor-general.Also there are three levels of local Government, and a ratepayer may deal with all three in everyday life:

Regional councils, Territorial authorities are City Councils, District Councils and the

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