Which bird symbolizes New Zealand. National symbols of new zealand

National flag of New Zealand was developed in 1869 and officially approved on March 24, 1902. The flag is a rectangular panel in a 1:2 ratio. The blue background of the flag is associated with the blue color of the sky and sea surrounding the country. The four five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation communicate with the country's location in the southern part Pacific Ocean. The British flag in the upper left corner of the flag speaks of historical heritage and is generally accepted for many countries - former British colonies.

New Zealand coat of arms- the official symbol of the country. The coat of arms was originally granted by the British King George V on August 26, 1911, and the current version was granted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1956.

The coat of arms is a shield held on one side by a blonde woman holding the New Zealand flag and on the other side by a Maori warrior. In the upper left corner of the shield there are four stars symbolizing the constellation of the Southern Cross (the same stars are used in the national flag); in the upper right corner there is a golden fleece, symbolizing cattle breeding; in the lower left is a sheaf of wheat, symbolizing agriculture; in the lower right are two hammers, symbolizing mining and industry. Between the sides of the shield is a vertical stripe depicting three ships, symbolizing the importance of maritime trade to New Zealand and the immigrant origins of New Zealanders. Above the shield is the crown of St. Edward. Under the shield there are two branches of fern with the inscription in English: “ New Zealand" The coat of arms is associated with the unity of all cultures and peoples inhabiting the country, and with commitment to the New Zealand monarchy.

Other characters

From New Zealand two national anthems: "God Protect New Zealand" And "God save the queen". Although both have equal status, "God Protect New Zealand" is more commonly used.

The text "God Defend New Zealand" was written in 1870 by Thomas Bracken. The winner of the competition for music to the text, held in 1876, was the composer John Joseph Woods. The song gained popularity, and in 1940, the country's government acquired the copyright to it and designated it as the national anthem. But it was only in 1977 that the song was legally approved as the second national anthem along with the British royal anthem.

The official version of the anthem also has a translation into the Maori language. Traditionally, at government events, only the first verse is sung, first the Māori version, then the English version.

Generally accepted unofficial national symbols The country is, of course, unique to the kiwi bird and the Cyathea dealbata plant, known in New Zealand everyday parlance as the “silver fern”.

Along with the kiwi bird, images of the silver fern are popular and often used in New Zealand national brand graphics and logos.

National currency

New Zealand dollar (NZD)- not only the national currency of New Zealand, it is also used in Niue, Cook Islands, Tokelau and Pitcairn. The New Zealand dollar is often referred to simply as the "kiwi" (after New Zealand's national bird). One dollar is made up of one hundred cents. Since 1999, special thin plastic has been used to produce banknotes. The obverse (obverse) of New Zealand coins depicts Queen Elizabeth, and the reverse features the kiwi bird, great eastern heron, Cook's ship Endeavor and Maori carved wooden totems.

by Notes of the Wild Mistress

Protruding eyes, aggressive waving of folders, threatening lunges and tattooed faces - this is what the Europeans saw when they first landed on the wonderful green islands, later united into an archipelago called New Zealand. Little did the Dutch and English gentlemen know that the men of the Maori tribes were testing the loyalty of the uninvited guest with their “dance”. If he picks up the branches thrown at his feet and remains calm, then he can be allowed to stay. Otherwise, the stranger was considered an enemy, and he was simply eaten. The Europeans did not know local customs, so they mistook the “disco” of the aborigines for an attack and responded with rifle fire.

Thus ended the expedition of Abel Tasman, who discovered beautiful but inhospitable islands. And only 147 years later James Cook landed on these shores. He can be called a pioneer of the Pacific region, because the captain did not just sail from island to island, but made accurate maps of new lands. Cook found a common language with the Maori cannibals in New Zealand. But the navigator was less fortunate with the Polynesians on the Hawaiian Islands he discovered...

The flora and fauna of New Zealand is amazing, as it consists almost entirely of unique species that are found nowhere else. The flightless kiwi bird has become a symbol of the country. This fluffy “chicken” is depicted on banknotes, and a famous fruit is named after her.

In England and the USA, people from New Zealand were given the nickname kiwi, without, however, giving it a disparaging connotation. New Zealanders have always been champions of progress. For example, they were the first in the world to give women the right to vote. New Zealand became the first country to introduce old-age pensions and launched a worldwide campaign to stop nuclear weapons testing. By the way, the great Rutherford, the father of nuclear physics, was born in New Zealand, not far from Nelson.

Water is a must in New Zealand's landscapes. On the coast there is an ocean, and in the depths of the islands there are numerous lakes, geysers, underground rivers and waterfalls. Just like in Kamchatka, New Zealanders have their own Valley of Geysers - the thermal area of ​​Rotorua on the North Island near the country's capital, Wellington.

The ground, scorched by the underground heat, is covered with hot steam. Its main attraction for tourists is steaming fish and vegetables from a thermal spring. And if you drive a little further, you find yourself in a “jungle” of trees that look like ferns. Ten people can barely grasp their trunk.

A completely different picture on the South Island: high rocky mountains, crowned with caps of snow, reflected in the blue water of the fjords. The most beautiful of them is Milford Sound. On a sunny day, the spray of waterfalls turns into a shining rainbow, surrounding you from all sides.

Like all islanders, New Zealanders exist somewhat in isolation. However, life in large spaces taught them to value not material well-being, but connections between people. The saying “you meet people by their clothes” does not work in New Zealand, so you can find good friends in any roadside cafe.

The world map indicates that this is an island state located on two large islands of the same name, in honor of which it received its name. At the same time, the mountains of New Zealand occupy ¾ of the entire territory, and its nature was recognized as the most exotic and extraordinary.

In a fairly small area there are all the splendors of nature, grottoes with underground lakes and rivers, glacial mountains, geysers with healing mud and waterfalls, incredibly beautiful forests, endless beaches, as well as rare...

New Zealand symbol- This is a flightless, small bird - kiwi. State environmental programs have been able to preserve nature in its original form even in the vicinity of large cities. In agriculture, the main place is occupied by sheep and livestock breeding; animals graze in meadows throughout the year, thanks to which meat and dairy products become more healthy and tasty.

A holiday in New Zealand will be unforgettable, as it is a culturally developed country, famous for its historical monuments.

Capital of New Zealand- the city of Wellington, its main attractions include the Royal Ballet, the New Zealand Opera House and the Parliament building complex.

New Zealand cities are numerous, one of them is Auckland, which is located on a narrow isthmus between two bays. The city is the largest in New Zealand. The views from the city of numerous sailboats and yachts in the bay make it a real calling card of the country.

City of Napier It is extremely interesting for its unique architecture, cute painted houses, and excellent New Zealand wine is also produced here.

One lake in New Zealand borders the city of Rotorau, right next door there is a valley of geysers, which is the main attraction not only of the city, but also of the country. Located here Cultural Center indigenous Maori “Maori Village”, as well as a thermal park.

Islands of New Zealand suitable for all lovers of active and extreme recreation, mountaineering, rafting along the underground rivers of the Waitomo Cave, diving, rafting, zorbing, yachting, alpine skiing and snowboarding. In this place, difficult routes are laid through impenetrable forests and mountain paths, past waterfalls and mountain rivers.

New Zealand is a safe country. The people of New Zealand are welcoming, friendly, and treat all tourists very well. The streets of the city are perfectly clean. There are no poisonous snakes or dangerous animals here, however, on some islands you may find poisonous “katilo” spiders.

Prices in stores and standard of living are comparable to European ones, and in some ways even lower; only cigarettes and alcohol are expensive here. Tap water does not require additional purification and is immediately ready for use. The time spent in New Zealand will be filled with unforgettable impressions and acquaintance with incredibly beautiful nature.

New Zealand climate

Weather in New Zealand on each of the two islands is quite different from each other. So, if a rather mild subtropical climate prevails on the North Island, then the South Island is, in fact, in the temperate zone, where it can be quite cool. Also quite an important climatic factor on the South Island is the presence of the Southern Alps ridge, due to which the western cold winds do not reach the flat part of the island, turning the eastern part of the island into the driest in the country.

Most of the small islands are located in the Tasman Sea. As a result of the warm East Australian Current passing through here, they have a tropical climate. Precipitation falls fairly evenly throughout the year, with a slight decrease in its level in the summer months. Average level precipitation is 600-1600 millimeters per year. The average annual temperature of New Zealand directly depends on the island: on the North - about +16, on the South - +10. In the southern hemisphere, as you know, the winter months are August, July and June, so July is the coldest month in the country. The mountainous areas of the South Island are especially cold with the onset of winter. It is warmest on the islands in February and January, as this is summer for them. The annual temperature range in the country's largest city, Auckland, and the capital of New Zealand, Wellington, is approximately 30 degrees, with the lowest temperatures around zero and the highest around +30.

New Zealand - attractions

The attractions of New Zealand are very diverse, here are just a few of them:

Auckland's main park, it is located in the suburbs of Grafton and covers an area of ​​75 hectares. The park is the oldest in the city. It was founded in the 40s of the 19th century, and is located around the Pukekawa volcano - the oldest inactive volcano in the Auckland volcanic region. The park has witnessed many interesting events, from the first ever rugby league match to the visit of the Pope and Queen Elizabeth II.

Military History Museum- the main museum in all of New Zealand, it has collected a unique collection of exhibits dedicated to all the main episodes of the country's history. True, in addition to military exhibits, in the museum you can see both everyday and natural science artifacts, which are part of the history of the country.

Maritime National Museum- New Zealand's main maritime museum is located at Auckland's Hobson Dockyard. It covers the entire history of the country, which was in one way or another connected with the sea. From the first Polynesian settlers to modern yachtsmen who regularly win various regional and world regattas. The museum’s collection was also dedicated to the history of navigation, maritime trade in its various forms, whaling, water rescue and much more.

Like any other state, it has its own official symbols that represent it. This is the coat of arms, national flag and anthem. However, the rich flora and fauna of the country suggests that there is another symbol of New Zealand. And perhaps not alone.

History of the country's name

The Dutch navigator who reached the shores of the Polynesian islands of the Pacific Ocean in 1642 plotted their outlines on the map. Initially he gave them the name Staten Landt (State Lands). This name did not last long, and was soon replaced by another - Nova Zeelandia, which translated from Dutch means “New Sea Lands”. Captain James Cook, when drawing up a more accurate map in 1769, used English language. This is how the name New Zealand appeared, officially assigned to the country.

State symbols

New Zealand is a member of the British Commonwealth and recognizes the authority of the British monarch.

The national flag has a blue background and contains images of the British flag and four red stars, symbolizing the Southern Cross constellation.

The coat of arms in its current form was granted to the country by Queen Elizabeth II in 1956. Before receiving dominion status in 1907, New Zealand, like other colonies of the British Empire, did not have its own coat of arms. New Zealand's first state symbol was granted in 1911 by King George V. And in 1956, some changes were made to its design. The shield of the coat of arms contains the following images:

1. The three ships are a symbol of maritime trade and the immigrant background of most citizens.

2. Four stars - a symbol of the Southern Cross constellation.

3. The Golden Fleece is a symbol of cattle breeding.

4. A sheaf of wheat is a symbol of agriculture.

5. Two crossed hammers are a symbol of industry and mining.

Above the shield is the crown of St. Edward - one of the royal ones. Under the shield are two branches of a silver fern, decorated with a ribbon with the inscription New Zealand. On the sides of the shield there are two figures holding it. This is a woman of European appearance with the flag of New Zealand and a Maori warrior, representing the indigenous people of the country.

The country has two national anthems that have equal status - "God Save the Queen" and "God Defend New Zealand". The latter is more used.

Silver fern - symbol of New Zealand

A flower with silver leaves, which landscape designers love to decorate shady areas of the garden with, belongs to the class of ferns. The official name is Cyathea silvery. IN wildlife grows only in New Zealand. Since ancient times, the indigenous people of the country have used all the properties of this plant. For medical purposes, it was used as an antiseptic to promote the healing of wounds and burns. The woody part of the fern is poisonous, and Maori warriors treated the tips of their spears with the juice of its fibers.

This plant is the national symbol of New Zealand; its image can be found on army badges, coins, emblems sports teams and clubs. In 2015 it was even developed new project national flag with a branch of fern. However, following the results of a referendum in 2016, it was decided to leave the design of the national flag the same.

Kiwi (bird) - symbol of New Zealand

Another national symbol of the country is the flightless bird. This endemic has a rather funny appearance. The body of the bird resembles the shape of a pear. The wings are practically undeveloped, so they are not visible behind the thick plumage, more like wool. There is no tail, the neck is so small that it seems as if the head immediately goes into the body. The bird has a long thin beak with nostrils at the end. And strong four-toed legs allow you to run quickly. And although the kiwi does not fly, it is quite difficult to catch it. The bird is small in size and rarely weighs more than four kilograms. The largest of the five species found in New Zealand is the great gray kiwi. Its height reaches 45 centimeters.

In its natural habitat, it is almost impossible to see kiwi, since it is nocturnal. Its sense of smell is better developed than its sense of touch; with its long beak with nostrils at the end, the bird literally sniffs out prey. The main diet of kiwi is insects, worms, mollusks, crustaceans, berries and small fruits. During the day, the bird hides in specially prepared shelters. These can include burrows that certain types of kiwi dig in the form of labyrinths, hollows, and tangled tree root systems. In its habitat, a pair of birds can have up to 50 shelters, well camouflaged with leaves and moss. And although the kiwi is the unofficial symbol of New Zealand, this endemic is still the most recognizable and beloved representative of the fauna by the country's residents. His images can be found everywhere - from coins, jewelry and souvenirs to logos and advertising banners.

Kiwiana

In conclusion, it is worth adding that New Zealanders are very fond of the unique history and nature of their country. And they even came up with such a concept as kiwiana, for all the national features that symbolize the country. The list is constantly updated, it includes the traditions and cultural objects of the indigenous people of New Zealand, representatives of the kingdom of nature, modern scientific and cultural achievements.

symbol of new zealand

Alternative descriptions

Actinidia

Ratite bird

An overseas fruit that is best not combined with cottage cheese

Chinese actinidia

Flightless birds of New Zealand

Bird from the order ratites

A tropical fruit eaten like a soft-boiled egg

Exotic fruit with shaggy brown-green skin

. "hairy egg"

Bird without wings and tail

. "fruit" bird

Bird - “what a fruit”

The only bird without wings or tail

The name of one of the species of actinidia

What fruit do the British call "Chinese gooseberry"?

What bird was tattooed on Paganel's chest from the novel "The Children of Captain Grant"?

Which Australian bird, according to the Krasnaya Burda newspaper, lays brownish-green eggs with bright green, juicy flesh?

New Zealand's law prohibiting the import of venomous snakes into this country is dictated by the concern for which animals?

Until cats and dogs were brought to New Zealand, this bird essentially had no enemies

This bird lives only in New Zealand

This wingless bird was almost exterminated for the sake of its feathers, which were used to make artificial flies for catching trout.

Medium fluffy fruit

. "unshaven" fruit

hairy fruit

Flightless bird of the ostrich order, lives in New Zealand

fuzzy fruit

Both the fruit and the bird

New Zealand bird

Fruit with hairy skin

. "potato with hair"

Fruit with hair

New Zealand bird

Fruit with hairy skin

walking bird

Fruit with green pulp

Fruit and bird

Both the bird and the fruit

Green fruit

. "fruit" bird

Long-billed bird

Fruit and bird

Fruit with hairy skin

Overseas fruit

. "hairy egg" (joke)

flightless bird

Exotic fruit

Bird of the genus ostrich

Running hairy bird

Fruit with hairs

New Zealand exotic fruit

Fruit with emerald pulp

Overseas fruit

Flightless bird of New Zealand

New Zealand flightless bird

. bird fruit

New Zealand fruit and bird

What fruit was named after a bird?

Bird from New Zealand

Southern fruit

Evergreen fruit

The fruiting namesake of the New Zealand bird

Fruit with green interior

Potato-like fruit

. “hairy egg” (anecd.)

hairy fruit

Exotic fruit, very useful for hypertension

Nickname for New Zealanders

tropical fruit

. "green hairy"

tropical fruit

Southern fruit

Bird or fruit

. "overgrown" fruit

Tropical whip, also called Chinese gooseberry

Bird from a payment terminal

Bird or fruit

Shaggy southern fruit

Bird on Paganel's chest

New Zealand wingless bird

Subtropical aromatic and juicy fruit

Fragrant and juicy tropical fruit

Ratite bird

Actinidia

tropical fruit

Finnish writer (1834-1872)

Flightless bird native to New Zealand