New Zealand lies off the southeast coast of Australia.

It consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, and a number of smaller islands.

The capital, Wellington lies at the southern most tip of the North Island.

New Zealand covers an area of approximately 268,046 square kilometers (103,493 square miles) and has a population of around 4 million.

New Zealand has some of the most spectacular scenery to be found anywhere in the world. From lush, fertile pastures to magnificent mountain ranges that remain snow capped even through the height of summer. Indescribably beautiful gorges and lakes and awe inspiring glaciers. The South Island is renowned for its mountain ranges and beautiful fiords, while the North Island has its beautiful Bay of Islands and the boiling mud, hot springs and geysers of Rotorua.