GEOG101: World Regional Geography

New Zealand has two main islands – the North Island and South Island, separated by the Cook Strait – and more than 700 small islands. The Tasman Sea separates New Zealand from Australia.

While we often group New Zealand with Australia, its tectonic setting and landforms are really quite different. The country is tectonically active, with rugged coastlines, mountain ranges, and volcanoes. Many consider it part of Polynesia. New Zealand experiences frequent and intense earthquakes since it is located along the southwest rim of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Although there is evidence of past volcanism throughout New Zealand, the only active volcanoes are on the North Island and the smaller, outlying islands.

For those who reside in the northern hemisphere, remember that December, January, and February are summer months for Australia and New Zealand because they are in the southern hemisphere. Their winter months are in June, July, and August. Although their latitudinal locations are similar, the climates of Australia and New Zealand are quite different.

Australia's larger landmass makes its temperatures more extreme than New Zealand's (See Figure 10.1 and Figure 10.2). Australia is dominated by arid to semi-arid climates in the west and interior. It becomes more temperate as you approach the east coast. Since the northernmost tip of Australia, Cape York, is just 10° south of the Equator, Australia's northern coast experiences tropical conditions.

Temperate climates prevail in New Zealand. Snow falls on the South Island in the winter and at higher elevations on the North Island. The west coasts of New Zealand receive more rain than the east coasts due to the rain shadow effect of the Southern Alps.