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.

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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)

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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.

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Discover More

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

Other Word Forms

• New Zealander
  noun

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

New Zealand

New Zealand, meanwhile, will approach next month's four-Test series against South Africa with confidence after taking a maximum 15 points from their three home Nations Championship fixtures.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

When news of Sam Neill’s death at the age of 78 broke earlier this week, much of the public sentiment for the late New Zealand actor revolved around his humor and charm.

From Salon ● Jul. 17, 2026

That’s consistent with Summerset’s update last week and coincides with a stronger economic backdrop in New Zealand.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor known for his roles in ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘The Piano’ and ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ has died.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

Two books published since then have increased our understanding of that chaotic period of New Zealand history, placed it in a broader historical context, and made its relevance to GGS even clearer.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond