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New Zealand (Aotearoa in Maori or the Land of The Long White Cloud)

New Zealand is known for spectacular landscapes and native/Maori culture.

NZ Key data

*GDP per capita (PPP based in 2021 prices) is a crucial economic metric that measures a country's economic output per person. It's calculated by converting a nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) into international dollars using Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) exchange rates, which reflect the actual cost of living within a country. This adjusted GDP figure is then divided by the total population to determine the average economic output per individual. World Economics measures variation in the quality of both GDP and population data, by the GDP Data Quality Ratings (GDP DQR) and the Population Data Quality Ratings (PDQR) respectively and employs both scores to assess the overall accuracy of GDP per capita data. [Source: worldeconomics.com]

Geography

Time difference: UTC+12 (daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April)

The country of New Zealand is in the Oceania continent and the latitude and longitude for the country are 41.4395° S, 172.1936° E. The neighboring countries are: Australia; Fiji; Tonga; and Norfolk Island. No part of the country is more than 128km from the sea.
New Zealand is located in the south-western Pacific Ocean and features two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, and about a zillion other islands dotted around. Other smaller islands include Stewart Island, Waiheke Island, Chatham Island, Great Barrier Island and more, although many are uninhabited. The scenery consists of plains, fjords, forests, volcanoes and its geothermal activity, mountains and Fox and Franz Josef glaciers.
Highest point: Aoraki or Mount Cook 3,754 m
Largest Lake: Lake Taupo, 616 sq. km.
Largest Glacier: Tasman Glacier, 30km long, 3km wide
Deepest Lake: Lake Manapouri, 462 metres
The capital city of New Zealand is Wellington while the largest city is Auckland. Other major cities include Christchurch, Hamilton and Dunedin.
Distances from other countries: 2,250km (Australia); 9,000km (South asia);12,500 km (India and US) and 19,000km (UK/Europe).
Longest Place Name In The World: Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu. (Translation: The brow of the hill where Tamatea, the man with the big knees who slid, climbed and swallowed mountains, to travel the land, played his flute to his loved one). This name is usually shortened to Taumata.

Climate: New Zealand has a largely temperate climate. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10 C in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine.
New Zealanders enjoy a fantastic lifestyle and outward looking. So, NZ is a popular tourist destination.
NZ is a multi-cultural society, reflecting many years of migration from all parts of the globe.

Administration

Common law system, based on English model, with special legislation and land courts for the Maori

Chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Dame Cindy KIRO (since 21 October 2021).

National symbol(s): Southern Cross constellation (four, five-pointed stars); kiwi (bird); Silver Fern, the Tuatara (lizard) and "All Blacks" national Rugby team.

Flag : The flag of New Zealand is a defaced Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton, and four stars of the Crux Australis in red, outlined in white. The stars' pattern represents the asterism within the constellation of Crux, the Southern Cross. The roots of New Zealand's present flag lie in the Imperial Colonial Naval Defence Act of 1865, which ruled that all ships owned by a colonial government must fly the Blue Ensign with the badge of the colony on it.

Economy

The economy of New Zealand is a market economy that depends greatly on international trade and has a sizable service sector. Large scale manufacturing industries include aluminum production, food processing, metal fabrication, wood and paper products.

Natural Resources: Largely a farming country, New Zealand's principal production and exports are meat, wool, forestry products and dairy produce.
The strongest sectors in New Zealand are agriculture, food and beverages, health and knowledge-intensive services. In addition, tourism plays a vital role in New Zealand’s economy since it positively affects other sectors as well, for example the hospitality sector. Agriculture as well as tourism are both very strong sectors in the local economy. The manufacturing and high-tech sectors, on the other hand, are relatively small.

Cost of living

New Zealand used to feel like a paradise—but now? It’s only paradise if you’re rich. Generally, the cost of living in New Zealand is considered higher than other places like US, Australia and UK. Major cities like Auckland and Wellington tend to have higher living costs compared to smaller cities and towns. The largest contributors to the increase in the cost of living for household were: insurance; property rates and related services. While New Zealand has a public healthcare system, there can be costs for private healthcare and dental care.
New Zealand was a wonderful place to grow up in the 1960s & 70s. People could still afford homes back then. Doesn’t matter how beautiful the country it is. If it’s entirely unaffordable then it’s not sustainable. NZ society today is completely unrecognisable from what it used to be.
In the 1980s the government was basically broke, with a stagnant economy, industrial strikes and unrests. In 2020, during Covid, spending caused an inflation spike many of us had never before seen. Social welfare system is rapidly growing.

Southern Cross

The constellation Crux “the Cross” (also referred to as “the Southern Cross”) visible from all parts of the Southern Hemisphere and circumpolar (never sets). The cross serves as a convenient pointer to the south celestial pole, making it useful in navigation. The brightest star in Crux, Alpha Cruxis, is a binary, or double star. Crux is actually five main stars: Alpha; Beta; Gamma; Delta and Epsilon Crucis. Australian natives call Crux and Coalsack as the head of the 'Emu in the Sky' and Māori name for the Southern Cross is Te Punga ("the anchor"). Modern Crux may be Trishanku in Hindu astrology. [The north celestial pole currently is within a degree of the bright star Polaris and Sigma Octantis is the south pole star, over a degree away from the pole]

Modern History

Polynesian settlers may have arrived in New Zealand from 1200s. They called the land Aotearoa.
Portuguese and Spanish navigators sailed the Pacific Ocean in the 1500s. In their search for the vast unknown southern land, explorers find New Zealand. Tasman from Holland, sails into New Zealand in 1642, but after a bloody encounter with Māori in Golden Bay, he left without going ashore. He gave the name Nieuw Zeeland. In 1769 James Cook, British explorer, and Jean François Marie de Surville, commander of a French trading ship, both arrive around the same time.
James Cook landed at Poverty Bay (in Gisborne). He drew detailed and accurate maps of the country, and wrote about the Maori people, though his first encounter with was not successful – a fight broke out in which some Māori were killed. The naturalists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, who sailed with Cook, gathered a great deal of information about the country’s plants and animals.
Surville who was with the French India Company, had served mostly in the Indian Ocean and the China seas. He arrived off Hokianga and went north in search of a suitable anchorage. He and James Cook, probably passed around 30km of each other. For most of the time relations between Māori and French were amicable. It is likely that the ship's chaplain, Father Paul-Antoine Léonard de Villefeix, celebrated Mass on Christmas Day, making this the first Christian service to be held in New Zealand.
From 1790s whalers, traders and missionaries arrive, establishing settlements. Wars and conflicts between Polynesian tribes and European immigrants were always there. In 1835, some Maori iwi from the North Island declared independence as the United Tribes of New Zealand. In 1840, the British negotiated their protection in the Treaty of Waitangi, which was eventually signed by more than 500 different Maori chiefs, although many chiefs did not or were not asked to sign. In the English-language version of the treaty, the British thought the Maori ceded their land to the UK, but translations of the treaty appeared to give the British less authority, and land tenure issues stemming from the treaty are still present and being actively negotiated in New Zealand.
The UK declared New Zealand a separate colony in 1841 and gave it limited self-government in 1852. New Zealand reaffirmed its independence in 1947, signed the Australia, New Zealand, and US (ANZUS) Treaty. Beginning in 1984, New Zealand began to adopt nuclear-free policies.
The Treaty of Waitangi gave the same rights and guarantees to “all the people of New Zealand” irrespective of race, colour or creed. In 1893 New Zealand became the first country in the world to give all women the right to vote.

The New Zealand Cabinet follows the traditions of the British cabinet system. Members of Cabinet are collectively responsible to Parliament for its actions and policies. All ministers in Cabinet also serve as members of the Executive Council, the body tasked with advising the governor-general in the exercise of his or her formal constitutional functions.

Science & Technology

The research system in NZ is comprised of approximately 23,000 researchers employed by a range of research-oriented institutions including universities, government departments, city and regional councils, research associations and private firms, and the government-owned Crown research institutes (CRIs). Also included in the system are the various government bodies that set up or manage the range of legislation, regulations and policy relating to S&I, and provide and manage S&I investments.
http://www.sciencenewzealand.org/
There are eight Crown Research Institutes with 4,400 people working on topics from environment to trade, agriculture to manufacturing, in niche technologies and solve science-based challenges affecting our lives today and tomorrow.

Education

The New Zealand tertiary sector covers private training establishments (PTEs), institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs), wananga, universities and workplace training. Approximately 50% of New Zealanders aged 15 and over have a tertiary qualification, and 17% have a bachelors degree or higher.
In 2011, 46% of the population between the ages of 25 and 34 held a qualification at diploma level or above, compared to the OECD average of 39%.
There are eight main tertiary schools that are in New Zealand and governed by the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. These tertiary schools vary depending on what programs that they offer, how much they cost, and where in the country they are located.
www.nzoss.org.nz - The New Zealand Open Source Society is a non-profit organisation set up to protect, advocate and advance the use of Open Source Software in New Zealand.

Natural dangers

The beautiful landscape has not yet been tamed in every respect, dangerous places are not all fenced off like in other countries. Being allowed so close to nature is a privilege that needs to be enjoyed with responsibility, as it involves certain risks and dangers to get out into the wild. Tourists cause a third of all bush rescues, mostly in the alps of the South Island, often underestimating the risks of being active outdoors. Even short excursions can get dangerous if you get hurt and on your own.
Modern New Zealand is world renown for being geological active with high mountains, frequent earthquakes, geothermally active areas and volcanoes. NZ is perched on the Pacific's Ring of Fire, sandwiched between two tectonic plates in the middle of the Roaring Forties. There are major fault lines running the length of New Zealand. The Taupo Volcanic Zone also has many active faults associated with rifting and extension of the crust in the area. In the South Island, the Marlborough Fault System is another series of major parallel faults.
Mountaineers should enquire about a distress locator beacon. Avoid to cross a river with high water level (e.g. muddy colour and flowing debris) if you don’t feel safe. When you get lost in the dark or in bad conditions stay in a shelter. Try to signal for help with colours or light. Keep the will to survive! You can live approximately 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without body shelter in bad conditions, 3 days without water and 30 days without food. Don’t give up too soon.

Travel

New Zealanders are famous for their warm hospitality to overseas visitors, friendly, welcoming, love travel and enjoy meeting people from other cultures. Avoid sunburn, as the UV levels are highest. In summer UV levels rise much more than in comparable world regions.

Health

If you need a consultation visit a General Practitioner (GP), any hospital emergency ward, or even a pharmacy which might be able to give initial health advice. Accidents are covered for all nationalities, by Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). Private travel insurance is essential.

Unique to NZ

National Anthem: 3 versions

Source: http://mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/national-anthems

English version: God Defend New Zealand

1. God of Nations at Thy feet,
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific's triple star
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand.

2. Men of every creed and race,
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God defend our free land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our state,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.

3. Peace, not war, shall be our boast,
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God defend our free land.
Lord of battles in Thy might,
Put our enemies to flight,
Let our cause be just and right,
God defend New Zealand.

4. Let our love for Thee increase,
May Thy blessings never cease,
Give us plenty, give us peace,
God defend our free land.
From dishonour and from shame,
Guard our country's spotless name,
Crown her with immortal fame,
God defend New Zealand.

5. May our mountains ever be
Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
Make us faithful unto Thee,
God defend our free land.
Guide her in the nations' van,
Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy glorious plan,
God defend New Zealand.

God Save The Queen

1. God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save The Queen.
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save The Queen.
2. O Lord our God, arise,
Scatter our enemies,
And make them fall;
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks;
On thee our hopes we fix:
God save us all.
3. Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save The Queen.

Māori version

E Ihowā Atua,
O ngā iwi mātou rā
Āta whakarangona;
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai;
Kia tau tō atawhai;
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa

Ōna mano tāngata
Kiri whero, kiri mā,
Iwi Māori, Pākehā,
Rūpeke katoa,
Nei ka tono ko ngā hē
Māu e whakaahu kē,
Kia ora mārire
Aotearoa

Tōna mana kia tū!
Tōna kaha kia ū;
Tōna rongo hei pakū
Ki te ao katoa
Aua rawa ngā whawhai
Ngā tutū e tata mai;
Kia tupu nui ai
Aotearoa

Waiho tona takiwā
Ko te ao mārama;
Kia whiti tōna rā
Taiāwhio noa.
Ko te hae me te ngangau
Meinga kia kore kau;
Waiho i te rongo mau
Aotearoa

Tōna pai me toitū
Tika rawa, pono pū;
Tōna noho, tāna tū;
Iwi nō Ihowā.
Kaua mōna whakamā;
Kia hau te ingoa;
Kia tū hei tauira;
Aotearoa

Prominent New Zealanders

Early History

New Zealand history starts from the time when the Rangitata Land mass separates from the ancient super continent of Gondwana 80 million years ago. Polynesians settled in New Zealand, 1000 years back. Maori oral traditions speak of Waitaha, Turehu and Patupaiarehe people living when they arrived. According to Maori, the first explorer to reach New Zealand was Kupe. Using the stars and ocean currents as his navigational guides, he ventured across the Pacific on his waka hourua (voyaging canoe) from his ancestral Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki. It is thought that Kupe made landfall at the Hokianga Harbour in Northland, around 1000 years ago.
Some 3,400 years ago, people on the Solomon Islands sailed to other tropical islands of Hawaii, Tonga and Fiji. Archaeological evidence suggests that after setting sail from the Solomon Islands, people crossed more than 2,000 miles of open ocean to colonize islands like Tonga and Samoa. After they found a way to conquer the wind, the ancient people colonized the rest of Oceania, such as the islands of Hawaii, Tahiti and New Zealand.

History and Early Links with South Asia

Ancestral seafarers were among the greatest of canoe builders, navigators and mariners. Over the course of several thousand years, long before they came to New Zealand, ancestors swept out of South-East Asia and Oceania. They could sail long distances, with canoes about 20 metres long. Such vessels were capable of travelling from around 200 km a day. Voyage routes were preserved in memory or recorded in stories and songs. Their greatest skill was their ability to read the night sky and movements of sun and other planets. They also used landscape such as mountains; islands; outcrops of rock or prominent trees; pathways of migratory birds and certain fish or whale species; and ocean colour and currents. Knowledge and practice of traditional methods of sailing and navigation is declining.
Crux, known as the Southern Cross is Trishanku in Hindu astrology. In Indonesia and Malaysia, it is known as Buruj Pari (Stingray), or lumbung (granary). The Maori name for the Southern Cross is Te Punga ("the anchor"). This was used for navigation in south seas by early Indians or cholas
Saka dvipa is known for copper for cholas, volcanoes and hot springs, sulphur islands, long range flying large birds, clouds, vast calm seas and jumping animals. Shaka Dvipa is identified as Southern hemisphere, below copper islands from where cholas imported copper. Sakadvipa and Svetadvipa are located to the south east. Chola had dominance over the seas of South-East Asia, and close relations with (Suryavarman) Khmer Empire. Indian traders firmly established themselves over various parts of South-East Asia and have had a knowledge of Australia and Polynesia. The islands are identified with sulphur emitting volcanoes, large and exotic birds, and rare wood. Some of the inhabitants from pacific islands have traded or met them via Indonesian middle men.
Cholas-Kalingas used to cross to southern hemisphere, guided by Southern Cross (Trishanku) and mentions of islands, which takes more than a month to sail from Java. Seeing Trishanku indicates sailing in middle lands, on the way to southern lands. Southern islands are known for exotic large birds.
In the story (kadal pavai meaning sea maiden), on one such voyage, sailors kill a large bird for food and bird was holding an upper garment in its claws. Captain presented the garment to camping Prince (chola) at the island Madura, south of Java. A sculptor makes a statue based on thermal pattern on the cloth. It happened to be a beautiful maiden. The Indian Prince, wanted to see the real maiden.
During next season, next expedition leaves, for southern islands, but very few return with some treasure. That statue with some material from pacific islands are in Madura in Indonesia. The prince dies as he lost important people including the maiden. (much of the original story giving many details is lost). There is also a similar tale called southern beauty (then azhaki). One of the artists created a statue based on nail along with custom jewellery. The prince sent one of his ships to locate the actual person. Full story is not available.

New Zealand map
Linked to: https://www.nationsonline.org/maps/new-zealand-map.jpg

Native Maori language and basic words

The Maori language evolved in Aotearoa over several hundred years. There were regional variations as the ancestors of natives came by canoe from different villages and islands in Polynesia. Māori had no written language, but the symbolic meanings embodied in carving, knots and weaving were widely understood.

Holidays and anniversaries
Tau-hou – New Year
Rā Maumahara ki nga hoia o Aotearoa me Ahitereiria – Anzac Day
Matariki – beginning of Māori New Year, Pleiades
Hararei – holiday
Whakatā – rest
Whakanui – celebrate
Koha – present
Hākari – feast

Days and seasons
Rāhina; Mane – Monday
Rātū; Tūrei – Tuesday
Rāapa; Wenerei – Wednesday
Rāpare; Taite – Thursday
Rāmere; Paraire – Friday
Rāhoroi – Saturday
Rātapu – Sunday
Raumati – summer
Ngahuru – autumn
Takurua – winter
Kōanga – spring

Families and people
Whānau – family
Pāpā – father
Whaea – mother
Tamaiti – child
Tamāhine – daughter
Tipuna or tupuna – ancestor
Wahine – woman, wife
Kuia – old woman
Koroua, koro – old man
Whanaunga – blood relation
Kaumātua – elder of group
Tāne – man, husband
Tamariki – children
Pākehā – people of European origin, non-Māori
Iwi – people, nation: modern usage, tribal bones
Hapū – clan, tribe or sub-tribe, to be born

Places
Taone-nui – city
Huarahi – road, highway
Waitangi – national celebration of the Treaty of Waitangi; ‘weeping waters’
Rohe – boundary, the territory (geographical and/or spiritual) of an iwi or hapū
Tūrangawaewae – a place to stand, a place to belong to, a seat or location of identity
Whenua – land, homeland, country (also afterbirth, placenta)
Akarana – Auckland (also Tāmaki Makaurau)

Numbers
Tahi – one
Rua – two
Toru – three
Whā – four
Rima – five
Ono – six
Whitu – seven
Waru – eight
Iwa – nine
Tekau – 10
Tekau mā tahi – 11
Rua tekau – 20
Iwa tekau – 90
Iwa tekau mā iwa – 99
Kotahi rau – 100
Iwa rau – 900
Kotahi mano – 1000

Natural world
Au – current
Awa – river
Maunga – mountain; puke is hill (also hiwi)
Moana – sea, or large inland ‘sea’, e.g., Taupō
Mānia – plain, stretch of land
Roto – lake; inside
Wai – water
Whanga – harbour, bay
Motu – island
One – sand, earth at the beach
Wai-hīrere – waterfall
Ngaru – wave (in water)
Tomo – cave or hole in ground
Ngahere – forest
Arawhata – bridge
Koraha – desert
Awa-awa – valley
Pari – cliff
Āhua o te rangi – climate
Waipuke – flood
Whakahukapapa – freeze
Mākūkū – damp
Āniwaniwa – rainbow
Makariri – cold. Kei te makariri au: I am cold.

Food and drink
Kai – food. E kai – command to eat
Inu – drink. E inu
Hoko – buy
Rīwai – potatoes (also taewa)
Hua whenua – vegetables
Hua rākau – fruit
Miraka – milk
Kirīmi – cream
Huka – sugar
Tiamu – jam
Pata – butter
Tīhi – cheese
Āporo – apple
Ārani – orange
Panana – banana
Pea – pear
Kapu – cup
Karaehe – glass
Naihi – knife
Pune – spoon
Pereti – plate
Pouaka hukapapa – refrigerator
Umu – stove
Hiakai – hungry. Kei te hiakai au: I am hungry.
Hiainu – thirsty. Kei te hiainu au: I am thirsty.

Body parts
Pāpāringa – cheek (on face)
Makawe – hair
Rae – brow, forehead
Kauae – chin
Māhunga – head (also upoko)
Matimati – finger
Manawa – heart
Niho – teeth
Poho – chest
Puku – belly, stomach
Ārero – tongue
Ringa – hand, arm
Toto – blood
Kanohi – face
Turi – knee (also pona)
Whatu – eye
Ihu – nose
Kakī – neck
Taringa – ear
Waewae – foot, feet, leg, legs

Shops, buildings, rooms, etc.
Poutāpeta – post office
Toa hokomaha – supermarket
Pēke – bank
Wharemīti – butcher
Kaihoko rongoā – chemist (also kēmihi)
Toa hoko miraka – dairy
Toa hua rākau – fruit shop
Wharepukapuka – library
Whare rūnanga – boardroom
Wāhi kai – cafeteria
Wharehui – conference room
Whare kīhini – kitchen
Ararewa – lift
Wāhi whakatau – reception
Tari – office
Pātaka – storeroom
Transport
Pahi – bus
Tereina – train
Teihana – station
Waka – boat
Motuka – car
Paihikara – bicycle
Taraka – truck
Tarakihana – tractor
Waka noho – caravan
Waka-rererangi – aeroplane

Other useful words and phrases
Te koretake hoki – How useless!
Iti – small, little (poto, short)
Nui – large, big (roa, long)
Tomokanga – gateway (also waharoa)
Mihini mahana – heater
Koti mahana – warm coat. Whakamau tōu koti mahana: Wear your warm coat.
Koti ua – raincoat
Pōtae ua – rainhat. Whakamau tōu potae ua: Wear your rainhat.
Hei aha atu – Don’t worry.
Hiamoe – sleepy, tired. Kei te hiamoe au: I am tired.
Ākuanei – soon, in a while
Oma – run. E oma.
Rere – fly. E rere: to fly.
Hīkoi – walk
Peke – jump. E peke: command to jump
Karakia – prayer
Komiti – committee
Kaitono – applicant
Kaiāwhina – assistant
Hoamahi – colleague

Basic Words:
Aotearoa (New Zealand, long white cloud)
aroha (love)
awa (river)
haka (generic term for Māori dance. )
hangi (traditional feast prepared in earth oven)
hapu (clan, sub-tribe; to be born )
hui (gathering, meeting)
iti (small)
iwi (tribe)
kai (food)
karakia (prayer)
koha (gift, present )
mahi (work or activity)
mana (prestige, reputation)
manuhiri (guests, visitors)
marae (a meeting house)
maunga (mountain)
moana (sea)
motu (island)
nui (large, many, big)
pā (hill fort)
Pākehā (New Zealander of non-Māori descent, usually European)
puku (belly, stomach)
tangi (funeral)
tapu (sacred, not to be touched, to be avoided)
te reo Māori (the Māori Language)
tipuna/ tupuna (ancestor )
wai (water)
waiata (song or chant)
waka (canoe, canoe group)
whenua (land, homeland)

Maori greetings

Indians and NZ

The land of the Chola dynasty was called Cholamandalam (சோழ மண்டலம்) in Tamil, literally translated as The realm of the Cholas, from which the Portuguese derived Coromandel. Royal Navy had a ship named HMS Coromandel, after the Indian coast. The Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand was named after this British ship which collected kauri wood from this region.
In 2024, the estimated Indian population in New Zealand was around 317,500. This figure is projected to increase to 328,800 by 2025. In 2023, New Zealand had 144,753 people (2.9%) reporting as Hindu in the 2023 Census. In the 2023 New Zealand census, 5.8% of the population identified as Indian. Census 2023 data reveals that more than half of the population does not affiliate with any religion, for the first time since records began. Auckland Indian Association was born in 1920 and purchased the property in Eden Terrace in 1989. Mahatma Gandhi Centre, is now a complex and venue for gatherings. The complex has at its threshold, the Radha Krishna Temple. Bharatiya Mandir is a 1st purpose built Hindu temple in New Zealand, started in 1993.
In the begining of 1990s, there were 2 or 3 major temples for around 50,000 Indian origin people in Auckland. In 2023, the Auckland region had 90,207 people who identified as Hindu or 5.4% of the total Auckland population. With in 30 years, in addition to Bharatiya Mandir, there are more than 30 large size Murugan, Ganesh, Ram Krishna, Swaminarayan and Saibaba Temples. Now every sect want to be separate and compete with one another. Every Hindu group from India wants to have its representation and property investment in NZ.

Additional notes on natives of New Zealand

The natives of New Zealand base their tribal organization on their descent from their migration of Polynesians from the isles of the Pacific, although some may be descendants from the ancient tribes of the land.
When Rangi and Papa, the Sky father and the Earth Mother, came into being they embraced each other as husband and wife, and produced certain beings who were the origin.
The primal beings emerged from nothingness, from the dark void, from the womb of time. They were the origin of the Maori cosmos. In Maori myth the heavenly bodies are credited with the possession of sex and of human attributes. The sun has two wives, Hine-raumati and Hine-takurua, the Summer Maiden and the Winter Maiden. The star Rehua (Antares) has also two wives, Whakaonge-kai and Ruuhi, the latter being also known as Peke-hawani. The moon, which is deemed a male, has two wives (moon is said to be the husband of all women, and is the cause of menstruation).
One Hine-pukohu-rangi is the personification of mist in Tuhoean myth. It was this Maid of the Heavenly Mist who lured to earth Te Maunga, the Mountain, and from the union of these two sprang Potiki (the Child), from whom sprang Nga Potiki (the Children, or Descendants of Potiki), who are now known as Te Ure-wera and Tuhoe. They are the Children of the Mist.
A similar being seems to have been one Tairi-a-kohu, who descended to this world in order that she might bathe in the waters thereof. She was captured by Uenuku, who kept her as his wife, but she only remained with him during the hours of darkness, returning at dawn to celestial regions. But Uenuku revealed her to his people, and she then left him, returning never more. And Uenuku wandered to far lands in search of his lost bride until death came to him. But ever he is seen in the form of a rainbow when Tairi-a-kohu, the Mist Goddess, appears.
Many folklore on animising of natural objects. Rangi (see ante, the Sky Parent) married Tongariro (a male mountain) to Pihanga (a female), and the result of that union was rain, sleet, snow, and gales. Two big hills near Waikare-moana were married; the one, Turi-o-Kahu, was “set up” as a male, the other, Kuha-tarewa, as a female. Thus these solid hills were joined together as a sign and token of enduring peace.
“Te inati o Mawakeroa” is used to denote that when a woman marries into another tribe or clan she and her mana are lost to her people and clan. She goes to live with her husband, and returns no more. But a son dwells with us, and we have the advantage of his mana (prestige, &c.), strength, knowledge, and so on; a son remains with his people, not so a daughter.

Notes on natives of Australia

There are 900 distinct native groups across Australia. Like most cultures, Indigenous people have a strong astronomical component and use their knowledge of the stars to navigate across the country. The stars are a compass, a clock and a calendar. Indigenous people have been gazing at the Southern sky for tens of thousands of years. Milky Way galaxy is a river full of fish. They used the stars for telling them the seasonal supply of food, when to plant and how is the crop, and for transmitting the morals of their society. They identified the system of stars with their own zodiac. In Victoria, the Southern Cross is identified with a ring-tail possum, while the long neck tortoise is identified with the star called Pollux. We also find, in Victoria, that the star Taurus showed them where to find the pupa of the wood ant. While the star cluster, called the Pleiades or Seven Sisters informed the people in the western desert region that the annual dingo season was starting. And so they would descend to where the dingo stays and then catch their little pups and have a good feast. On the Torres Strait Islands the appearance of the stars the Tagai told them that it was time to start preparing the land for planting."

Once upon a time, when the creative spirits were around, and sometimes they’d would be an animal, sometimes they’d be a human, sometimes they might be a planet or stars or something. There’s this hidden world which is full of creative spirits and mystical things going on. A smoking ceremony is also conducted when someone dies. The community uses smoke on the belongings and also the residence of the deceased to help release the spirit

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Administrator:NARA is a Consultant by profession and an Engineer by qualification. Nara holds an Engineering Masters degree and have worked 25 years for leading organizations.
Now working part time on country/technology research projects and Maintaining community Web sites.
Spending more time to pursue his interests on studying: ancient scriptures; maths & astronomy; physics; philosophy; history & culture and so on.