Lecture Notes on New Zealand

Introduction

• Topic Choice: Interest in New Zealand due to its beautiful nature, rare animals, and intriguing history.
  • Maori culture as a significant aspect.

Climate Zones

• Climate Complexity: Varied climate zones from warm subtropical in the north to cool temperate in the south.
  • Temperatures range:
    • 23 to 28 degrees Celsius in January and February.
    • Down to -10 degrees Celsius in July.
• Geographical Distribution:
  • North Island: Warmer climate zones.
  • South Island: Cooler temperate climate zones.

Landscape

• Terrain Types: Includes mountains, geysers, volcanoes, fields, hills, valleys, lakes, and extensive coastlines.
• Weather Impact:
  • West coast experiences heavy rainfall due to sea evaporation.
  • Example: Stewart Island has 210 rainy days a year.
• Human Impact: Landscapes also shaped by human activity.

Flora and Fauna

• Historical Influence: Maori and Europeans have impacted the wildlife.
  • Maori: Initial settlers from Polynesia.
  • Europeans: Arrived in 1769, introducing new animals.
    • Animals introduced: Rabbits, red deer, pigs, goats, and unintentionally, rats.
• Conservation Efforts:
  • Protection of endemic species like the kiwi bird and the weka.
  • Kiwi Birds:
    • Flightless, endemic to New Zealand.
    • Various species adapted to different climates (e.g., Brown Kiwis in North and South Islands, Great Spotted Kiwi primarily in South Island).

Personal Connection

• Desire to visit New Zealand to explore its wilderness and see the kiwi bird.

Vocabulary

• Inevitable: Unavoidable
• Endemic: Restricted or peculiar to a locality or region
• Flightless: Not able to fly