Located in the south-western Pacific Ocean New Zealand is an island country comprising of two main landmasses, the North and South Island. There also numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands.

Aotearoa is the name given by indigenous Māori for New Zealand meaning "The Land of the Long White Cloud".

Also included within the Realm of New Zealand are the Cook Islands, Niue (self-governing but in free association), Tokelau; and the Ross Dependency (New Zealand's territorial claim in Antarctica).

New Zealand is is situated about 2,000 km (1250 miles) southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea with its closest neighbours to the north being New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga.

During its pre Māori and pre European time New Zealand developed a distinctive fauna dominated by birds, a number of which became extinct after the arrival of humans and the mammals they introduced.

The majority of New Zealand's population is of European descent; the indigenous Māori are the largest minority. Asians and non-Māori Polynesians are also significant minority groups, especially in urban areas. The most commonly spoken language is English although Māori is enjoying a renaissance due to various government policies and a greater awareness of the role that Māori has played in the history of New Zealand.

New Zealand is a developed country that ranks highly in international comparisons on many topics, including education, economic freedom, and lack of corruption. Its cities also consistently rank among the world's most liveable.

Elizabeth II, as the Queen of New Zealand, is the country's head of state and is represented by a Governor-General who holds reserve powers. The Queen and Governor-General rarely exercise any power without the advice of the Cabinet. Legislative political power is held by the democratically elected Parliament of New Zealand, and executive political power is effectively exercised by the Prime Minister and the rest of the Cabinet.