Made In Canarias Postcrossing Blog

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island), and numerous smaller islands. The indigenous Māori language name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, commonly translated as The Land of the Long White Cloud . Elizabeth II, as the Queen of New Zealand, is the country's head of state and is represented by a Governor-General, and executive political power is exercised by the Cabinet of New Zealand. New Zealand is notable for its geographic isolation. During its long isolation New Zealand developed a distinctive fauna dominated by birds, a number of which became extinct after the arrival of humans and the mammals they introduced. New Zealand is a developed country that ranks highly in international comparisons on many topics, including education, economic freedom, and lack of corruption. Its cities also consistently rank among the world's most liveable. ( source ) Thank you Danielle!

Te Whare Runanga is the meeting house at Waitangi, built to commemorate the Treaty Centenary Celebrations in 1940. It was designed to stand alongside the Treaty House, to symbolize Maori involvement in the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and its underlying role as the document which brings the people of New Zealand together as one nation. Te Whare Runanga is similar in appearance to other meeting houses on marae around New Zealand, but it unique because it was built to be shared by all Maori tribes - a national marae. There is a figure at the apex of the gable as you enter Te Whare Runanga, which depicts Kupe, the Pacific explorer Kupe. Other carvings depict ancestors from many Maori tribes around New Zealand. ( source ) Thank you Jenny!

New Zealand – a beautiful land of contrast, from snow clad mountains, fertile plains, magnificent fiords, perfect beaches, lush forest and active volcanoes, New Zealand is a paradise for the visitor to her shores. Thank you Janelle!