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Hungarians

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

A decorative wooden gate (székely kapu), carved in Transylvania, stands at the entrance of Wellington’s Hungarian park. It celebrates Hungary’s presence in New Zealand and the friendship that has developed between the two countries.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Niueans

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

More Niueans live in New Zealand than in Niue. Many came in the 1960s, after the atoll was hit by tropical cyclones – New Zealand aid introduced modern conveniences which changed the way people thought about traditional village life.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Samoans

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

After troubled beginnings, including early conflict in Samoa and the infamous dawn raids of the mid-1970s, the New Zealand–Samoa story is one of proud achievement. New Zealand Samoans star on the stage, in concert halls and art galleries, and on the sports field. And along with other ...

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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South Africans

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

When Nelson Mandela became president of South Africa in 1994, he said, ‘there is no easy road to freedom’. Over the next decade his ‘rainbow nation’ faced escalating troubles, causing tens of thousands to leave. Many saw New Zealand as a haven, and South Africans soon ...

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Snails and slugs

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

New Zealand has an estimated 1,400 native species of slugs and snails – many of them endangered. Native slugs are patterned to look like a leaf. The largest snails, Powelliphanta species, can grow up to 10 centimetres across, and have beautiful coloured shells.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Irrigation and drainage

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Too much water or not enough water can both cause problems for farming. In drier areas of New Zealand irrigation schemes have made farmland lush and productive, while drainage of waterlogged land has made it possible to grow crops and pasture. However, both irrigation and drainage can have ...

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Place names

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

As Europeans surveyed, acquired and dramatically altered New Zealand’s landscape they replaced older Māori names. They named new places such as towns after historical events and famous people, or places they had come from. Over time though, some original Māori names have been restored.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Agricultural and horticultural research

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

From the early days of farming in New Zealand, farmers needed to adapt to local conditions. Researchers in government and universities bred new plant and animal varieties, found ways to deal with pests and diseases, and developed innovative new products.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Biosecurity

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

New Zealand’s native plants and animals, as well as its farming industries, can be threatened by pests and diseases that arrive from abroad. Biosecurity efforts aim to protect the country’s economy, health and environment by policing borders and monitoring invasive species.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Farmer and grower organisations

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Organisations for farmers and other rural people provided social networks, a political voice, opportunities for sharing knowledge, and help in hard times. Some groups are for farmers of particular animals or crops, and there are others for rural women and young farmers.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Fertiliser industry

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium are essential elements in New Zealand’s economy: in the form of natural or artificial fertiliser, they boost the growth of crops, pasture and forest plantations.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Government and agriculture

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Farmers are traditionally great exponents of free enterprise, yet the government has played a crucial role in farming in New Zealand. State subsidies, research and border protection have contributed to the success of the country’s agriculture.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Earthworms

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Darwin claimed that the lowly earthworm was one of the most important animals in the history of the world. He had discovered that these wriggling creatures break down organic matter and improve soil drainage and structure. New Zealand’s pastures benefit from non-native worms, while the ...

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Hōiho – horses and iwi

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

From the Kaimanawa horses of the central North Island to the adaptable ‘Nāti horses’ of the East Coast, from rodeo riders to Māori racing clubs, the association of Māori with horses has been long and rich.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Possums

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

The Australian brushtail possum is New Zealand’s most damaging animal pest. Introduced deliberately for the fur trade, this cat-sized marsupial has wreaked havoc on native forests and wildlife.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Rabbits

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Rabbits were introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century for food and sport. But they soon became a pest, reaching plague proportions in some areas. Rabbits have cost the country millions of dollars – through attempts to control them and lost production on farmland.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Kōrero taiao – sayings from nature

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Eyes like the night of the full moon, weaving as intricate as a spider’s web, a glutton with the stomach of a shark … Drawing on their keen observations of the natural world, Māori had a fund of vivid sayings and proverbs.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Taniwha

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Supernatural creatures – some terrifying, others protective – are legendary in Māori tradition. Known as taniwha, they lurked in watery dens, or in caves, and were often depicted as dragons or serpents, with fiery eyes and lashing tails. Crucial to the stories of deadly taniwha were the ...

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Dune lands

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Since the early 1900s, New Zealand has lost 70% of its dune lands – rolling sand hills behind beaches. Seen as waste areas, they were planted with introduced species, or turned into pine forest, golf courses or housing. Today many remaining dunes are being protected and planted with native ...

Ministry for Culture and Heritage
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Conifers

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Conifers (trees that reproduce by means of cones) are a diverse group, including the giants of the forest – kauri and kahikatea – as well as the shrub-like pygmy pine. They are useful trees, and their hardy woods have been fashioned into boats, houses and wharf piles.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage