New Zealand means land of the long white cloud in Maori. The island state is known for its breathtaking scenic views, lush natural beauty and pristine wilderness. The indigenous people, the Maori, have a rich culture, a high ratio of sheep to people and a great national rugby team.
Thanks to these features, it has become a popular international travel destination that offers visitors a range of pleasures. The mountains along the Southern Alps are covered in snow to the golden beaches of the Bay of Islands. This wide variety of visual and natural experiences provides locals and travelers alike with a variety of activities to explore.
Whether it's a reputation for good quality of life and dense cultural diversity, or a tax-friendly system coupled with great investment opportunities, there are many great reasons that make New Zealand a great choice for international investment.
New Zealand is located directly above the Tasman Sea, overlooking Australia, and consists of two main islands. The North and South Islands also have a number of smaller islands around their perimeter. The capital city of Wellington is beautifully crafted and located along the South West edge of the North Island.
The main geographical feature of the South Island is the majestic mountains, namely the Southern Alps, which have Mount Cook as the highest peak. This highest peak divides the island into two halves. Some of the smaller islands; The Chatham Islands, Great Barrier Island, Waiheke Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura also contain a wide range of marine resources.
Over the past two decades, interest in New Zealand has grown in part thanks to two popular television programs. Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys added broad appeal to an already lush wonderland. It's not the only time the islands have appeared on screen, The Lord of the Rings and King Kong directed by Peter Jackson have also shared New Zealand's beauty with the rest of the world. Film buffs and budding seekers alike flock from all over the country to visit many of the same locations where these films were shot, just to catch a glimpse of that beauty first hand.
Transparency international has ranked the country as the least corrupt in its Corruption Perceptions Index, making it not only a great place to live, but also a safe place to raise a family or invest. New Zealand was once a British colony but became an independent Commonwealth in 1947, although the current head of state remains the Queen. The separation was peaceful and mutual, allowing the country to maintain strong ties with Britain.
Partly due to the many advantages New Zealand has to offer, it ranks as one of the most desirable places to live in the world. With increased immigration and foreign investment, the population reached nearly 4.5 million in September 2013.
