Administracion

Polynesians settled New Zealand in 1250–1300 AD and Europeans first made contact in 1642 AD. In 1840 a treaty was signed between the Māori andBritish, making New Zealand a colony of Britain. Thecolony became self governing in 1852 and was made a Commonwealth realm in 1947. During liberal reforms in the 1890s New Zealand became the first country to extend voting rights to women and to develop asystem of compulsory arbitration betweenunions and employers. Elizabeth II, as the Queen of New Zealand, is the country’s head of state and is represented by a Governor-General. The Queen’s role islimited and executive political power is exercised by the Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister. New Zealand has close ties with Britain, Australia, the United States and several Pacific Island nations.New Zealanders enjoyed one of the highest standards of living in the world until the stagflation of the 1970s. The county underwent major economic changes during the 1980s, transforming from aprotectionist economy to a liberalised free-trade economy. The economy is highly dependent on trade, particularly in agricultural products. The majority of New Zealand’s population is of European descent; theindigenous Māori are the largest minority followed by Asians and non-Māori Polynesians. English, te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language are the official languages, with English the most prevalent.Much of New Zealand’s culture is derived from the Māori and early British settlers, although recently it has been broadened by globalisation and immigration from the Pacific Islands and Asia.
Lapoblación de Nueva Zelanda es de aproximadamente 4 millones. Los habitantes neozelandeses de origen europeo o polinesio son los más numerosos, si bien una gran variedad de razas se encuentrarepresentada. La población indígena maorí asciende a unos 400.000, pero los matrimonios mixtos con otras razas son muy numerosos.
Casi tres cuartos de la población vive en la Isla Norte. Un ochenta y cinco por...