Ah, New Zealand—a tiny island country known around the world for its rugged beauty. With its inhabitants fondly referred to as “Kiwis” and its countryside as familiar as our own backyard, thanks to the filming of The Lord of the Rings, New Zealand holds a special place in many of our hearts.

But how much do you actually know about this country called New Zealand? Have you ever learned about its history, terrain, location, government, or culture? What would it be like to live there—or to homeschool there? Let’s explore this island nation and find out.

New Zealand lies in the South Pacific Ocean, nearly 2,000 kilometers (or 1,243 miles) from Australia to the east, and consists of two main islands— North Island and South Island—as well as many much smaller islands, such as Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. Its closest neighbors to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga.

The capital city of Wellington and the largest city of Auckland are both located on the North Island, which has a more temperate climate. The South Island is the largest land mass and is divided along its length by the Southern Alps, the highest point of which is Mt. Cook at 12,316 feet above sea level. In general, the country experiences high rainfall, particularly in winter, which lasts from June 21 to September 22. Remember, New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere!

Approximately 80% of the population is of European descent. The indigenous people group, called the Maori, makes up 15% of the population. Polynesian settlers arrived sometime between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. New Zealand’s Maori name, Aotearoa, is usually translated “Land of the Long White Cloud.” The first Europeans known to have reached New Zealand were led by Abel Tasman in 1642. He named the islands Staten Landt, but Dutch cartographers changed the name to Nova Zeelandia. In the 1760s, Captain James Cook mistakenly pronounced the name as “New Zealand,” and the name held fast. Cook’s extensive surveys of the islands led to European whaling expeditions and eventually to significant European colonization.

New Zealand has declared its independence in many shapes and forms over the years and now considers itself to be a sovereign constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth of Nations. Basically, this means that New Zealand recognizes Elizabeth II as its queen and head of state, but she has no active role in the running of the government. The Governor-General, usually a native New Zealander, represents the Queen by carrying out her various responsibilities.

In 1893, New Zealand became the first nation to grant women the right to vote on the same basis as men. Today, New Zealand is the only country in the world in which all of the highest offices in the land have been occupied simultaneously by women.

All around the world, the residents of New Zealand are nicknamed “Kiwis,” and you may be wondering why. Although New Zealand exports 80 million trays of kiwifruit across the globe as one of its major exports, the name has no connection with the fruit. It derives from the country’s national bird, the kiwi, a flightless bird about the size of a domestic chicken. Kiwis have tiny two-inch wings that are essentially useless, and no tail. Despite its awkward appearance, a kiwi can actually outrun a human being. During the First World War, New Zealand soldiers carved a likeness of their national bird in the chalk hill above Sling Camp in England. From that time forward, the New Zealand Servicemen were referred to by this nickname. Today, New Zealanders overseas and at home are still invariably called “Kiwis.” Many sport teams from the islands carry the name proudly as well.

The total population of New Zealand has now surpassed the four million mark. With over 6,428 homeschooling students from 3,415 families recorded by the Ministry of Education, this educational choice is embraced by approximately 1% of the school-aged population. In order for the MOE (Ministry of Education) to grant an exemption to a child between the ages of 6 and 16 from attending a registered school, they must be satisfied that the child will be “taught at least as regularly and as well as in a registered school.”

Cynthia, who lives in the small town of Foxton, situated on the southwest coast of North Island, states, “What this means exactly is open to a certain amount of interpretation. There is no required curriculum that homeschoolers must follow, but we do have to submit a plan to the MOE that indicates our intentions for the education of our children; that we have an idea of where they are currently, where they need to go, and how we’re going to get them there.”

Once the MOE approves the plan, homeschooling families have the option of receiving government funding for their educational endeavors. The amounts allotted to home educating families are $371.50 for the first child, $316 for the second child, $270.50 for the third child, and $186 for each subsequent child. These amounts are paid every six months and have no strings attached, apart from submitting the signed and witnessed declaration promising to carry out the mission stated above. The Ministry of Education believes that there are probably few unregistered homeschooled students because of these monetary incentives.

“In general, homeschooling in New Zealand is a very positive experience. We have greater freedom to educate our children without interference than just about any other country,” Cynthia reports.

So, are you ready to move to New Zealand? Or at least take a vacation there? Well, slow down … there is some vocabulary you must learn if you intend to visit the country. Yes, New Zealanders do speak English, but they have plenty of slang words, or expressions that are commonly used, that you should know before setting foot in the land of the kiwis. See the sidebar at left for a good start.

Well, you have now had a crash course on New Zealand’s history, geography, and vibrant culture. Want to learn more? For a fun unit study on life in New Zealand, which includes lots of hands-on activities, visit our website at www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com, go to the unit study page (under “How to Homeschool”) and find it under “Geography.” Next time, the International Schoolhouse will feature the fascinating and charming country of Scotland. Stay tuned!

You can find out more about Terri and Knowledge Quest by visiting www.knowledgequestmaps.com.

Kiwi Slang
• biscuit = cookie
• bonnet = car hood
• boot = car trunk
• buggered = exhausted
• cackhanded = lefthanded
• chips = french fries
• crisps = potato chips
• crook = sick
• dodgy = bad, spoiled
• dummy = pacifier
• dunny = toilet, bathroom
• flannel = wash cloth
• jersey = sweater
• judder bar = speed bump
• jumper = wool sweater
• lift = elevator
• lolly = candy
• nappy = diaper
• petrol = gasoline
• prang = fender bender
• rubber = eraser
• sprog = child
• sticking plaster = bandage
• sunnies = sunglasses
• tramping = hiking
• togs = swimsuit
• torch = flashlight
• wellies = rubber boots
• whinge = complain