New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses – that of the North Island and the South Island,and numerous 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 isolation, New Zealand developed a distinctive biodiversity of animal, fungal and plant life. The country's varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks, such as the Southern Alps. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington, while its most populous city is Auckland.

New Zealand is a developed country with a market economy that is dominated by the exports of dairy products, meat wool and wine, along with tourism. Major crops are wheat, barley, oats and fruits. The main industrial products are dairy products, leather, tobacco and timber processing.The fishing industry has expanded greatly. Aquaculture includes oysters, mussel, salmon and scallop farming. New Zealand is a member of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, ANZUS, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Pacific Islands Forum, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.