Study Abroad in New Zealand - University of Canterbury

Discover New Zealand
Mt. John Observatory, Lake Tekapo.
New Zealand is known throughout
the world as a country of great
natural beauty – one that is easy
to fall in love with and impossible
to forget. The country’s lakes,
mountains, native forest, open
spaces and clean air provide a
magical backdrop to your Study
Abroad experience.
New Zealanders, or Kiwis as they are known,
make the most of the idyllic setting in which
they live. New Zealand is a nation of sports
lovers, and sailing, skiing, hiking and fishing
are all popular pastimes. New Zealand may
be small, but individuals and teams from its
shores have had international success in many
sports, including Olympic swimming, cycling,
rowing and yachting’s America’s Cup.
New Zealand is a modern, democratic nation
in the South Pacific, similar in size to Great
Britain and with a population of around 4
million people. Most Kiwis live on one of the
nation’s two main islands – the North and
South Islands. The islands are separated by a
small stretch of water known as Cook Strait and
ferries and flights link the two islands.
New Zealand is a nation of many cultures.
The Māori, New Zealand’s indigenous
population, came from Polynesia around 1000
years ago, and make up around 15 percent of
the population. Although the bulk of
New Zealand’s population are of European
descent, growing numbers of people from
Pacific Island, Asian and African nations are
making New Zealand their home.
2 Study Abroad