UNIT 8 NEW ZEALAND

I. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations.

major	головний
extensively	інтенсивно
oil refinery	нафтопереробний завод
in recent years	за останні роки
to appoint	призначати
food processing industry	харчова промисловість
to have close links with	мати тісні зв’язки з

II. Read the text. Use dictionary if necessary.

New Zealand is an independent state and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is situated in the Pacific Ocean southeast of Australia. It comprises two major islands - North Island and South Island, and some smaller islands. New Zealand has a total area of 268,680 square km. Over 3,6 million people live in the country. The capital of the Dominion is Wellington. Other major cities and towns include Hamilton, Palmerston, Auckland. The majority of the population are of British origin, but there are small groups of Chinese, Indians, Dutch, Greeks and Poles.

New Zealand has a temperate wet ocean climate without marked seasonal variations in temperature or rainfall.

South Island is much more mountainous than North Island. The Southern Alps contain 17 peaks, the highest is Mount Cook or Aorangi. The chief rivers are the Waikato, the Wairu and the Rangitata.

New Zealand is rich in minerals, but few have been extensively exploited. They include: coal, clay, limestone, iron ore, gold, pumice, forests. Natural gas, petroleum and uranium-bearing minerals have been discovered too.

The most significant feature of New Zealand industry in recent years is the establishment of heavy industry. The iron and steel industry is developed in the South Auckland area. Plants already in operation or being designed include a steel mill, an oil refinery, an aluminium plant, a copper rolling mill, etc. The pulp and paper and rubber industries are well developed too. The most important industries include: food processing, textiles, fishery, wood and wood products, fruit and vegetables, livestock. Two-thirds of the total area of New Zealand are devoted to agriculture and animal husbandry.

Like other regions that were cut off from the rest of the world for a long period, New Zealand has developed plants with unique characteristics. More than 250 kinds are common to both Australia and New Zealand. There are few native animals in the country. Among the nonflying birds the most interesting is kiwi. It is found only in New Zealand, and it has become the national emblem.

Many kinds of birds and animals were resettled in New Zealand, some of which are the rabbit, the deer, the pig (now wild).

New Zealand is a self-governing state and a member of the Commonwealth. It has close links with Britain and formally the head of state is King or Queen of England.

The Queen is represented in New Zealand by the Governor-General, appointed for a five-year term. The Parliament consists of one House only, the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister is the head of the government

WELLINGTON

Wellington_: is the capital city and a seaport. It is also a financial, commercial and transportation centre of New Zealand. It is situated on a mountainous site at the head of Wellington Harbour (formally Port Nicholson). The city was founded in 1840. The population of Wellington is about 325,000 people.

Wellington was named after the first Duke of Wellington. The first settlement of New Zealand colonists was founded in 1840. The capital of New Zealand was Auckland and in 1865 it was transferred to Wellington.

New Zealand manufactures motor vehicles, machinery, metal goods, textiles, chemicals, woolens, rope, packed meat, matches and soap. Building stone is produced, and an extensive export trade is carried on in wool, meat, fish hides, butter, cheese.

In Wellington there are many educational and cultural institutions. There are four universities: the University of New Zealand and Victoria University College are the best-known.

III. Are the following statements true? Prove it.

1. NZ is a country with highly developed industry and agriculture.

2. Foreign trade is one of the most important branches of national economy.

3. NZ is rich in natural resources.

4. Citizens of the country have an opportunity to get education.

5. NZ is a democratic state.

IV. You have decided to visit NZ. Why have you chosen this country to travel to?

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