Countries of the World: New Zealand (Countries of the World)

This series provides young readers with an illustrated introduction to the countries of the world. The individual books highlight the distinctive features of each country and encourage children to compare and contrast their lives with those of people in other countries and of other cultures. They also explain simply the social, economic and environmental issues facing each country today. In this book the author, herself a New Zealander, describes the diversity of New Zealand's terrain and wildlife, the evolvement of a multi-racial society and what it is like to grow up in New Zealand. She underlines the two main elements in the history of New Zealand, on one hand the important role of the Maori and the Islands' peoples, on the other the British influence on customs, traditions and language. Armitage looks at many aspects of life in New Zealand today including history, shopping, sport and leisure, religion, festivals, customs, government, agriculture, fishing and industry. There is also consideration of current issues such as the nuclear question and unemployment. Ronda Armitage trained as a primary school teacher and has taught in both New Zealand and Britain. She has written fiction for children.