Claim: Fiji is the name of a place.

New Zealand -LSB- njuːˈziːlənd -RSB- -LRB- Aotearoa -LSB- aɔˈtɛaɾɔa -RSB- -RRB- is an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean . The country geographically comprises two main landmasses -- the North Island -LRB- or Te Ika-a-Māui -RRB- , and the South Island -LRB- or Te Waipounamu -RRB- -- and around 600 smaller islands . New Zealand is situated some 1500 km east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1000 km south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia , Fiji , and Tonga . Because of its remoteness , it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans . During its long period of isolation , New Zealand developed a distinct biodiversity of animal , fungal and plant life . The country 's varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks , such as the Southern Alps , owe much to the tectonic uplift of land and volcanic eruptions . New Zealand 's capital city is Wellington , while its most populous city is Auckland .   Sometime between 1250 and 1300 CE , Polynesians settled in the islands that later were named New Zealand and developed a distinctive Māori culture . In 1642 , Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European to sight New Zealand . In 1840 , representatives of Britain and Māori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi , which declared British sovereignty over the islands . In 1841 , New Zealand became a colony within the British Empire and in 1907 it became a Dominion . Today , the majority of New Zealand 's population of 4.7 million is of European descent ; the indigenous Māori are the largest minority , followed by Asians and Pacific Islanders . Reflecting this , New Zealand 's culture is mainly derived from Māori and early British settlers , with recent broadening arising from increased immigration . The official languages are English , Māori and New Zealand Sign Language , with English predominant .   New Zealand is a developed country and ranks highly in international comparisons of national performance , such as health , education , economic freedom and quality of life . Since the 1980s , New Zealand has transformed from an agrarian , regulated economy to a market economy . Nationally , legislative authority is vested in an elected , unicameral Parliament , while executive political power is exercised by the Cabinet , led by the Prime Minister , who is currently Bill English . Queen Elizabeth II is the country 's head of state and is represented by a governor-general , currently Dame Patsy Reddy . In addition , New Zealand is organised into 11 regional councils and 67 territorial authorities for local government purposes . The Realm of New Zealand also includes Tokelau -LRB- a dependent territory -RRB- ; the Cook Islands and Niue -LRB- self-governing states in free association with New Zealand -RRB- ; and the Ross Dependency , which is New Zealand 's territorial claim in Antarctica . New Zealand is a member of the United Nations , Commonwealth of Nations , ANZUS , Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development , Pacific Islands Forum , and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation .