New Zealand

American  

[zee-luhnd] / ˈzi lənd /

noun

1. a country in the South Pacific, southeast of Australia, consisting of North Island, South Island, and adjacent small islands: a member of the Commonwealth of Nations: 103,416 sq. mi. (267,845 sq. km). Wellington.

---

New Zealand British  

/ ˈziːlənd /

noun

1. an independent dominion within the Commonwealth, occupying two main islands (the North Island and the South Island), Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands, and a number of minor islands in the SE Pacific: original Māori inhabitants ceded sovereignty to the British government in 1840; became a dominion in 1907; a major world exporter of dairy products, wool, and meat. Official languages: English and Māori. Religion: Christian majority, nonreligious and Māori minorities. Currency: New Zealand dollar. Capital: Wellington. Pop: 4 365 113 (2013 est). Area: 270 534 sq km (104 454 sq miles)

---

New Zealand Cultural  

1. Nation in the southern Pacific Ocean containing two principal islands — North Island and South Island — and several small outlying islands. Its capital is Wellington, and its largest city is Auckland.

---

Discover More

New Zealand is known for its sheep industry and spectacular scenery.

Other Word Forms

• New Zealander
  noun

Example Sentences

Located in the South Pacific roughly halfway between New Zealand and Peru, the islands are one of the most remote and sparsely populated places on Earth.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

The company, which is also backed by Bain Capital, plans to expand to geographies like Australia, New Zealand, India and South Korea.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Storm systems moving through the region also shape weather patterns across Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the world.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

Sussex seamer Robinson, 32, returns after being dropped in 2024 as England look for an attack leader to take on New Zealand at Lord's from 4 June.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

“I guarantee at least Japan and New Zealand have a few leaving in the next few days. The question is whether or not they have a secret viable settlement too.”

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera