Talk:New Zealand

Sheep vs people[change source]

Why are there more sheep than people in New Zealand? Is this true? How did so many sheep come to New Zealand? This is indeed true. Because of the cold weather in the southern areas, the demand for warm and one of a kind wool is very high. They have gotten there from quick and large amounts of breeding so that there is plenty of wool to go around. THIS INFORMATION IS CREDITABLE AND VALUABLE. I HAVE GONE TO NEW ZEALAND SO I HAVE BEEN TOLD IN PERSON

It should be noted that there are also more sheep than people in Australia, which has 20 million people. New Zealand's population of 4 million (2010) and its suitability for sheep farming (temperate climate; relatively high rainfall; large tracts of arable land) mean that farming livestock such as sheep is financially viable. While wool is a major export, sheep are also bred for eating (mutton and lamb) and this is exported to many countries. Recent trends show the number of sheep farmers dropping, as it is more lucrative to farm cattle instead. 210.18.211.210 (talk) 03:29, 15 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Youngest country[change source]

Can someone justify "New Zealand is the youngest country in the world." This seems spurious. I am going to remove it for now, and wait for someone to cite why any of several other candidates (like the fragments of the Czech Republic, and East Timor) are not younger.

I can't understand this either. It's certainly not 'youngest' in terms of international recognition, geography, or average age.210.18.211.210 (talk) 03:29, 15 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]

This might refer to NZ being settled later than other large islands. The Maori only arrived around 1250 AD.--Avenue (talk) 13:04, 6 August 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I think this is definitely something to do with it being the last big landmass humans settled. Youngest isn't quite the right word though!

Not part of Australia[change source]

Is the statement regarding it not being part of Australia really necessary? Perhaps it could be better worded such as fitting it in with the is a country segment. 魚^Talk. 08:22, 1 January 2012 (UTC)[reply]

No, not necessary at all. I've fixed it. --Avenue (talk) 02:52, 6 July 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Desert reference removed[change source]

There are no deserts in NZ. There is a road nicknamed the desert road, but that doesn't make it a desert. So I took it out.

Hi, the desert road is almost a desert. Te Ara, the encyclopedia of NZ, says that although "it is not a true desert, it has poor soils of ash and scoria, and is swept by drying winds, so it has unique alpine desert plants and bare areas." I reckon that's interesting enough! I'll pop it back in. TreeReader (talk) 02:17, 1 October 2020 (UTC)[reply]