All Modules 59-New Zealand | Page 5

5 beginning, New Zealand was a zone ruled by birds; in fact, the official mascot is still the kiwi, a bird with a long beak (even though that depends on the species) which cannot fly because its wings are very short and it is the size of a chicken. Some of the animals that were introduced by the Europeans were: the deer, the fawn, the wild goat, the ram, the wild boar, the moose. However, the marine mammals are abundant, because in the country´s waters there are specimens of almost half the species of cetaceans and seals. Most of these specimens are on the South Island. There are also wild parrots, penguins, seals, dolphins and whales. The tuatara deserves a special mention because it is an autochthonous reptile similar to an iguana and that can only be found in this country; survivor of the times of the dinosaurs and a relative to those. New Zealand was one of the territories that was later discovered and populated. The first to populate were the Polynesians that developed the Maori culture that exists even to this day. Later it was colonized by the Europeans, with the Germans arriving first. Most of the inhabitants are of European descent with a very influential minority from every point of view is the Maori (indigenous people). Despite the large British community, the Maori culture is present throughout the whole territory, and English is the official language. If we refer to its political organization, as part of the Commonwealth with England, it is very interesting because they have a Democratic Parliament and at the same time it has a Monarchy, its queen is Elizabeth the II of England and she is represented by a General Governor and at the same time the Executive Branch is represented by the Prime Minister. It is a country that is very advanced economically and in education and personal progress.