where is new zealand located on the globe
New Zealand
New Zealand ( / ˈziːlənd / ( listen ) ; Māori : Aotearoa ( aɔˈtɛaɾɔa ) ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean . The country geographically comprises two main landmasses -- the North Island ( Te Ika - a-Māui ) , and the South Island ( Te Waipounamu ) -- and around 600 smaller islands . New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometres ( 900 mi ) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres ( 600 mi ) 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 . 
New Zealand ( / ˈziːlənd / ( listen ) ; Māori : Aotearoa ( aɔˈtɛaɾɔa ) ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean . The country geographically comprises two main landmasses -- the North Island ( Te Ika - a-Māui ) , and the South Island ( Te Waipounamu ) -- and around 600 smaller islands . New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometres ( 900 mi ) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres ( 600 mi ) 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 .
New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean . New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometres ( 900 mi ) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres ( 600 mi ) south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia , Fiji , and Tonga .
New Zealand ( / ˈziːlənd / ( listen ) ; Māori : Aotearoa ( aɔˈtɛaɾɔa ) ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean . New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometres ( 900 mi ) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres ( 600 mi ) south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia , Fiji , and Tonga .