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

Air New Zealand said this week that it will be moving fares up to account for recent fuel inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Capital Economics expects New Zealand’s economy to have expanded by 0.5% sequentially, markedly softer than in the prior quarter but in line with the central bank’s estimates.

From The Wall Street Journal

Other companies — including Rocket Lab, which was founded in New Zealand and is now headquartered in Long Beach — have moved to Southern California to be close to the talent pool that originally attracted SpaceX.

From Los Angeles Times

Air New Zealand said Thursday it would cut 1,100 flights over the next two months.

From Barron's

Iran was drawn into Group G for the World Cup and is scheduled to begin play June 15 against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

From Los Angeles Times