
New Zealand
Legal breakdown by identity
Learn about New Zealand
Beyond the scoreLearn about New Zealand.Official names, languages, local time and practical context for understanding New Zealand beyond its legal score.
Destination overview
About New Zealand.
Wild scenery, close together
Snowy peaks, rainforest, geothermal steam, surf beaches, and fiords carved by ice all fit into one country that’s surprisingly easy to explore. One day can be mountain views and crisp air, the next can be warm sand and ocean swims, with road trips that constantly deliver “pull over” moments.
Read more about New Zealand
Culture that’s living, not just history
Māori culture is woven through Aotearoa in a way you can genuinely feel, from place names and te reo Māori to stories that connect you to the land. In the right settings, experiences like a haka, a hongi greeting, and a hāngī shared with others add depth and meaning that stays with you long after you’ve left.
Geothermal wonder, fiords, and iconic adventures
In Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe / Rotorua, bubbling mud pools and hot springs give the landscape a completely different energy. Down south, Te Waipounamu / the South Island brings the drama, from the Southern Alps to the stillness of the fiords in Te Rua-o-Te-Moko / Fiordland. For those who love a little adrenaline, Tāhuna / Queenstown keeps things playful, while quieter moments can be found in glowworm caves, coastal walks, and under the canopy of ancient kauri in the north.
Official names
- Aotearoa (Māori)
- New Zealand (English)
Regions
- Australasia
- Polynesia
Continent
- Oceania
Total population
5,311,100
2024 data
Capital
- Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington
Currency
- New Zealand Dollar (NZD · NZ$)
Driving side
- left side of the road
Electricity
Languages
Māori
Official by law · Indigenous · ISO 639-3: mri
New Zealand Sign Language
Official by law · Indigenous · ISO 639-3: nzs
English
Official in practice · ISO 639-3: eng
Current times and time zones
New Zealand TimeNZST
Pacific/Auckland · Standard NZST, daylight NZDT
Chatham TimeCHAST
Pacific/Chatham · Standard CHAST, daylight CHADT
Largest cities
- Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau)AKL · 1,618,400
2018 data
- Christchurch (Ōtautahi) · 380,200
2018 data
- Wellington (Te Whanganui-a-Tara) · 209,000
2018 data
- Hamilton (Kirikiriroa) · 165,900
2018 data
- Tauranga · 140,800
2018 data
Busiest airports
- Auckland AirportAKL · 18,528,725 annual passenger movements
2024 data
- Christchurch AirportCHC · 6,445,475 annual passenger movements
2024 data
- Wellington AirportWLG · 5,446,121 annual passenger movements
2024 data
- Queenstown AirportZQN · 2,487,626 annual passenger movements
2024 data
- Nelson AirportNSN · 915,600 annual passenger movements
2024 data
Information updated 2 September 2026