Multi-Cultural & Multi-ethnic society

New Zealand welcomes and encourages foreign investment without discrimination. A number of U.S. companies have subsidiary branchanches in New Zealand. Many operate through local agents, and some are in association in joint ventures.

The New Zealand immigration policy is deliberated to ensure that the immigrant enhances the cultural and economic progress of the country. In fact, the New Zealand immigration rules are designed to positively welcome hard working, self-reliant, ambitious individuals.

New Zealand is an independent nation and a member of the British Commonwealth. It has a diverse multi-cultural population of around 3.8 million. The majority of New Zealanders are of British descent and the largest minority is New Zealand's indigenous Maori who make up around 14 percent of the population.

Referring to New Zealanders as Kiwis probably dates back to the First World War, when New Zealand soldiers acquired this nickname.

In the international financial markets, the New Zealand dollar, the basic currency unit, is frequently called the Kiwi. The dollar coin features a kiwi bird on one side.

New Zealand's society reflects many years of migration from all parts of the globe. More recently people from islands throughout the Pacific, such as Samoa and Fiji, have also migrated here, along with immigrants from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The largest non-European groups of people are the Maori, the first settlers of New Zealand, known as the 'tangata whenua' (the people of the land) who make up around 15 percent of the population making New Zealand a multicultural country.

Maori culture, art and traditions are an important part of New Zealand's heritage and culture. English and Maori are both official languages, though the vast majority of people speak only English.