IntroductionNew Zealand is a large island the size of Colorado located southwest of Australia in the South Pacific. The island is believed to belong to the volcanic “ring of fire” that circulates in the Pacific Ocean. The island has a myriad of different geographies ranging from flat sheep-covered plains to towering mountains (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, New Zealand). Along with geography, the climate also varies from subtropical to temperate (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, New Zealand). The population of 4 million is made up mostly of people who claim British ancestry, although 15% of the population classifies themselves as indigenous Polynesian or Maori (Keith Jackson, "New Zealand"). More than three-quarters of the population increases in The twentieth century is the result of population growth rather than immigration (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs). The nation's culture is also broadening due to the revival of Maori culture and through globalization New Zealand is governed by a parliamentary democracy is also included as a dominion of the United Kingdom. History Early settlements New Zealand is considered one of the last places on earth to be settled by humans (Wilmshurst, 2011, Abstract). Through archaeological evidence, it is known that New Zealand was settled in the 1300s by Eastern Polynesians (Mein Smith 2005, p. 6). Specifically, radiocarbon dating (Wilmshurst 2011, 1815–1820), capricious mitochondrial DNA in the Maori population (Murray-McIntosh 1998, 9047–52), and signs of deforestation (McGlone, M. 1999, 5–0) all point towards this conclusion. The evidence also suggests that this concluded an extended succession of c...... middle of folio ......642–1772. Auckland: Penguin Books. P. 82. ISBN 0670832987. Simpson, K (September 2010). "Hobson, William – Biography". In McLintock, Alexander. from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved November 12, 2011Sir Kenneth Keith. "On the Constitution of New Zealand: an introduction to the fundamentals of the present form of government". Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Updated 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2011. "The World Factbook - New Zealand". CIA. November 15, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2011. Wilmshurst, Janet M.; Hunting, Terry L.; Lipo, Carlo P.; Anderson, Atholl J. (2011). “High-precision radiocarbon dating shows recent and rapid initial human colonization of Eastern Polynesia.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 108 (5): 1815–1820. doi:10.1073/pnas.1015876108