New Zealand

New Zealand, located southeast of Australia, is a small country in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Due to its location and position, the country experiences mild temperatures year-round. Yet, during the winter, the temperatures can drop significantly, and the vegetation can suffer. The drop in temperature during the winter months does not stop tourists from visiting New Zealand. Nearly 4 million visitors visit the country each year and the number continues to grow. However, due to COVID-19, New Zealand has halted any outside visitors from entering the country until 2022 to reduce the spread of the deadly virus.

Home to roughly 5 million individuals, as of March 2020, the small, yet independent, country gained full independence from Great Britain in 1947 after tireless years of being under Britain’s rule. New Zealand has experienced great obstacles regarding their legislature, but the country has proven its ability to overcome those obstacles. Some examples include 1) the signed security treaty of 1951 between New Zealand, Australia, and the United States of America, 2) New Zealand’s refusal to allowing the United States nuclear-armed ships to enter the country’s port(s), 3) joining a United Nations peacekeeping force in East Timor, 4) the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2013 – a pivotal moment in the country’s history.

New Zealand has experienced a number of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods. One of the most profound earthquakes was in 2011, when a major 6.3 earthquake shook the city of Christchurch. This earthquake caused the city to suffer and faced extreme destruction. Over 180 individuals lost their lives. New Zealand has also experienced tsunamis, which are normally caused by the earthquakes that have struck the country. Reports have concluded that the country has experienced 10 tsunamis in the country’s lifetime. Lastly, the most common natural disaster that New Zealand experiences on a regular basis are floods. This type of natural disaster destroys the land, the vegetation, as well as inflicting harm upon the country’s residents, with the potential of causing fatalities.

With New Zealand being a high-culture country, people from across the globe flock to this country. New Zealand is made up of primarily Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Europeans; however, some Americans have chosen to leave the United States to pursue a life on the island country. New Zealand has much to offer. One well-known New Zealand organization is the non-profit organization known as She Is Not Your Rehab. This organization hopes to encourage men who have struggled with domestic violence to open up about their struggle with their mental health in regard to inflicting harm upon others, specifically women. This organization is strictly in New Zealand ,but the organization hopes to spread awareness across the globe and to reach the American audience with their mission/goals.

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about New Zealand and what this country has to offer to individuals across the globe. I hope to, one day, be able to travel and experience what this country has to offer.