The land of the long white
cloud, as New Zealand is known in Maori, is home to some of
the most beautiful scenery on earth. The country is comprised
of two islands. The Fish of Maui to the North which is shaped
by volcanic plateau, rolling hills and subtropical forests,
and the Canoe of Maui to the South, which spans dramatic fjords,
wild coastline and spectacular beaches.
Originally settled by Eastern Polynesians over a thousand
years ago, the Maori developed their own distinct culture,
until European encroachment in the 19th Century. Modern life
in New Zealand is distinctively European but far removed from
the hectic pace of western life. Volunteers to New Zealand
often remark how fresh the air is and how relaxed and friendly
New Zealanders are. Either way, New Zealand is the perfect
getaway for volunteers who want to totally escape the stresses
and strains of everyday life.
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