New Zealand

(zēland,) a British colony in the S. Pacific Ocean, bet. S. Lat. 34° 48′ and E. Lon. 1690-1790. It consists of three islands, formerly known as New Ulster, New Munster, and New Leinster, but more properly known as the Northern, Southern, and Stewart's Islands; together with a number of small adjacent islets. The whole group is upwards of 1,200 m. long, and 200 broad; its const-line extends over 1,000 leagues, and the entire area of the colony is 106,260 sq. miles, or 68,000,000 acres, of which two-thirds are fitted for agriculture and cattle-rearing. The surface of the principal islands is diversified, being mountainous in some parts and undulating in others. The N. and S. islands are divided by Cook Strait; that of Furueaux separating the mainland of the latter from Stewart's Island. The best harbors are in the northern district, between North Cape and Cape Colville, in which are found the magnificent ports of Mongonui, Wang are i, Auckland, and the Bay of Islands. At the S end of the island, however, is the excellent harbor of Wellington. N. Z. is rich in minerals, iron being largely found; gold is also a prominent article of export, the quantity of the same exported up to Dec. 31, 1869, being valued at $97,039,470. The crops are chiefly those of the cereals and flax; the total quantity of land under agriculture amounting, in 1870, to 900,504 acres. Flax, resin (under the name of Kaori gum), and timber suited to shipbuilding, are among the chief exports. C. Wellington. Portions of these islands were explored by Tasman in 1642, and afterwards visited by Cook in 1777, who took po e ion of them in the name of the English crown. They were first settled by Europe ans in 1814, aud in 1840 N. Z. was, by Royal letters-patent, erected into a separate colony, distinct from New South Wales. White population, 256,157; native, 38,540. [s. 644]