# North Island

> more northern, and smaller, of the two main islands of New Zealand

**Wikidata**: [Q118863](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118863)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Island)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/north-island

## Summary
North Island is the more northern and smaller of the two main islands of New Zealand, part of the island country in the southwest Pacific Ocean. It is located in the Realm of New Zealand and is known for its diverse landscapes, including mountains, forests, and coastal regions, as well as its significant Māori cultural heritage.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: North Island of New Zealand
- **Area**: Part of New Zealand's total area of 268,021 square kilometres
- **Coordinates**: Latitude -39°, Longitude 176°
- **Population**: Approximately 3,519,800 (as of the most recent data)
- **Continent**: Oceania, Insular Oceania, part of Australasia
- **Bordering Countries**: Australia (maritime boundary only)
- **Highest Point**: Aoraki / Mount Cook (3,724 metres)
- **Lowest Point**: Taieri Plain (-2 metres)
- **Timezone**: UTC+12:00 (standard), UTC+13:00 (daylight saving)
- **Official Languages**: English (de facto), Māori (official since 1987), New Zealand Sign Language (official since 2006)
- **Currency**: New Zealand dollar (NZD)
- **Driving Side**: Left-hand traffic
- **Electricity**: 230 volts, 50 Hz, plug type AS/NZS 3112
- **Emergency Number**: 111
- **International Calling Code**: +64
- **Internet TLD**: .nz
- **ISO Codes**: Alpha-2: NZ, Alpha-3: NZL, Numeric: 554
- **Aircraft Registration Prefix**: ZK
- **Licence Plate Code**: NZ (since 1958)
- **Maritime Identification Digits**: 512
- **Mobile Country Code**: 530

## FAQs
**What is the population of North Island?**
As of the most recent data, North Island has a population of approximately 3,519,800. The 2023 census recorded 4,993,923 residents for the entire country, with the population highly urbanized.

**What are the major cities on North Island?**
Major cities on North Island include Auckland, Wellington, and Hamilton. Auckland is the most populous region, while Wellington serves as the capital of New Zealand.

**What is the climate like on North Island?**
North Island has a temperate maritime climate, characterized by mild temperatures, frequent rainfall, and four distinct seasons. The region experiences a range of weather conditions, from sunny days to heavy storms.

**What are the major industries on North Island?**
Key industries on North Island include agriculture, particularly dairy farming, tourism, manufacturing, forestry, and technology services. The region is also known for its film industry, centered around Wellington and Auckland.

**What is the significance of Māori culture on North Island?**
Māori culture is deeply rooted in North Island, with the language (te reo Māori) being an official language since 1987. The revitalization of Māori language and traditions is a significant aspect of the island's cultural identity.

## Why It Matters
North Island is a vital part of New Zealand, contributing to the country's economic, cultural, and environmental significance. Its diverse landscapes and rich heritage make it a key region for tourism, agriculture, and film production. The island's commitment to preserving Māori culture and promoting sustainable practices underscores its role as a leader in progressive social policies and environmental conservation.

## Notable For
- **First Country for Women's Suffrage**: New Zealand, of which North Island is a part, was the first self-governing country to grant women the right to vote in 1893.
- **High Democracy Ranking**: New Zealand, including North Island, has a democracy index score of 9.61 (2024), ranking among the top nations globally.
- **Very High Human Development**: New Zealand, with North Island as one of its main regions, has a Human Development Index of 0.937 (2021), classified as "Very High."
- **Lord of the Rings Filming Location**: North Island is famous worldwide as the filming location for Peter Jackson's *Lord of the Rings* and *Hobbit* trilogies.
- **Māori Language Revitalization**: The Māori language is an official language with growing speakers and cultural prominence, particularly on North Island.
- **Progressive Social Policies**: New Zealand, including North Island, is a pioneer in environmental protection, marriage equality (2013), and cannabis law reform (2018).
- **Unique Wildlife**: North Island is home to endemic species like the kiwi bird, kakapo, and tuatara.
- **Adventure Tourism Hub**: The region is world-renowned for bungee jumping, hiking, and extreme sports.
- **Clean Green Image**: New Zealand, including North Island, is a global leader in sustainability and environmental conservation efforts.

## Body
### Geography and Environment
North Island is part of New Zealand's total area of 268,021 square kilometres, consisting of two main islands (North Island and South Island) plus numerous smaller islands. The region lies at coordinates latitude -39° and longitude 176°, placing it entirely in the Southern Hemisphere. The landscape is remarkably diverse, featuring mountains, forests, lakes, beaches, and fjords. The highest point is Aoraki / Mount Cook at 3,724 metres, while the lowest point is the Taieri Plain at -2 metres below sea level. The country is located in Polynesia and is part of the larger region known as Australasia or Oceania. New Zealand shares a maritime boundary with Australia to the northwest. The country is named after the Dutch province of Zeeland, though its Māori name, Aotearoa, translates to "Land of the Long White Cloud." The territory includes the subantarctic islands and the Ross Dependency in Antarctica, which New Zealand administers as a territorial claim.

### Government and Politics
New Zealand operates as a parliamentary monarchy and constitutional monarchy with a unitary state structure. The monarchy was inherited from British colonial rule and continues with King Charles III as head of state since September 8, 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The Governor-General serves as the monarch's representative, currently providing ceremonial and executive functions. The head of government is the Prime Minister, currently Christopher Luxon of the National Party, who assumed office on November 27, 2023. The New Zealand Parliament is unicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives. The country uses a proportional representation electoral system (Mixed Member Proportional), which has contributed to a multi-party political landscape. Major political parties include the National Party, Labour Party, Green Party, and New Zealand First. The judicial system is headed by the Supreme Court of New Zealand, which replaced the Privy Council in London as the final court of appeal in 2004.

### Demographics and Society
As of 2024, New Zealand's population is approximately 5,307,800, according to the most recent estimate. The 2023 census recorded 4,993,923 residents, showing significant growth from 4,699,755 in 2018. The population is highly urbanized, with approximately 4.4 million people living in urban areas compared to approximately 671,172 in rural regions (2022). The ethnic composition (based on the 2013 census) is: European New Zealanders 71.2%, Māori 14.1%, Asian New Zealanders 11.3%, and Pacific Islanders 7.6%. The official languages are English (de facto), Māori (official since 1987), and New Zealand Sign Language (official since 2006). Māori is the indigenous language, with revitalization efforts ongoing since the 1970s. Life expectancy at birth is 83 years (2022), reflecting the country's high standard of healthcare. The birth rate is approximately 11.49 per 1,000 people (2022), while the death rate is 7.53 per 1,000 people (2022). The suicide rate is 10.3 per 100,000 people (2019). The total fertility rate is 1.87 (2021). The age of majority is 20 years, and the retirement age is 65 years.

### Economy and Infrastructure
New Zealand has a developed mixed economy with strong social welfare programs. The nominal GDP was $247,234,053,739 (2022), with a GDP per capita of approximately $41,666.64 (2019). The country is known for its agriculture sector, particularly dairy farming, which is a major export earner. Other important industries include tourism, manufacturing, forestry, fishing, and technology services. The currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD), which replaced the New Zealand pound in 1967. The country uses the .nz internet top-level domain and has the international calling code +64. The electrical system operates at 230V and 50Hz using AS/NZS 3112 plugs. The country drives on the left side of the road, maintaining this practice since colonial times. The emergency telephone number is 111.

### International Relations and Memberships
New Zealand maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries worldwide, including Australia, the United States, United Kingdom, China, Japan, India, and many Pacific island nations. It is a founding member of the Commonwealth of Nations and participates actively in regional organizations including the Pacific Islands Forum and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). The country is a member of the United Nations (since 1945), World Trade Organization, OECD, and numerous specialized agencies including UNESCO, WHO, and WMO. New Zealand is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance alongside the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It also participates in the ANZUS security treaty (though the U.S. suspended its treaty obligations in 1986), the Australia Group, and the Missile Technology Control Regime.

### Symbols and Culture
The national flag features the Union Jack and the Southern Cross constellation. The coat of arms, adopted in 1956, includes a shield with symbols of agriculture and industry, flanked by a Māori warrior and a European woman. The national anthem is "God Defend New Zealand," adopted in 1977 alongside "God Save the King." The country is nicknamed "Land of the Long White Cloud" (Aotearoa) and is known for its "100% Pure" tourism slogan. New Zealand's culture reflects its dual Māori and European heritage. The haka (including the famous Ka Mate) is performed by the national rugby team, the All Blacks, before matches. The country has a vibrant film industry, centered around Wellington and Auckland, which gained international prominence through Peter Jackson's *Lord of the Rings* and *Hobbit* films. The Māori language (te reo Māori) has experienced significant revitalization since the 1970s and is now taught in schools nationwide.

### Administrative Divisions
New Zealand is divided into 16 regions: Auckland Region, Bay of Plenty Region, Canterbury Region, Gisborne District, Hawke's Bay Region, Manawatū-Whanganui Region, Marlborough District, Nelson Region, Northland Region, Otago Region, Southland Region, Taranaki Region, Tasman District, Waikato Region, Wellington Region, and West Coast Region. The Chatham Islands form a separate council territory. Each region has its own administrative structure, with Auckland being the most populous.

### Related Entities and Dependencies
New Zealand is the core of the Realm of New Zealand, which includes several dependent and associated territories. The Cook Islands and Niue are self-governing territories in free association with New Zealand, maintaining their own constitutions and governments but relying on New Zealand for defense and foreign affairs. Tokelau is a dependent territory. New Zealand also administers the Ross Dependency in Antarctica as a territorial claim. The country maintains close relationships with Pacific island nations through organizations like the Pacific Islands Forum and bilateral aid programs.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
3. MusicBrainz
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2013-ln6727)
6. GeoNames
7. BabelNet
8. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
9. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
10. KBpedia