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New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island) The indigenous Maori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, commonly translated as land of the long white cloud.

Capital Wellington
41°17′S 174°27′E
Largest city |
Auckland |
Official language(s) |
English (98%)[n 3] Maori (4.2%) |
Area - |
Total 268,021 km2 (74th) 103,483 sq mi |
Population - |
June 2010 estimate 4,393,500 |
Density |
16.1/km2 (200th) 41.6/sq mi |
Climate
New Zealand has a mild and temperate maritime climate with annual temperatures ranging from 10°C in the south to 16°C in the north. Historical maxima and minima are 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) in Rangiora, Canterbury and −21.6 °C (−6.9 °F) in Ophir, Otago. |