Land of mountains, glacial lakes and snow-fed rivers, of bush, green pasture and agricultural abundance. New Zealand for its trout and big game fishing. Its mountains are a retreat for Deer, Thar and Chamois. New Zealand offers the fascination of Maori culture, Polynesian tradition and provides its people with a very special quality of living. Resource rich New Zealand has an abundance of untapped potential. Research has established the South Island ideal for salmon breeding and rearing - sea ranching and salmon farming continues apace with substantial North American investment and expertise. Sugar Maple, timber, deer, goats, horticulture and Kiwi Fruit trials are changing the New Zealand farming profile. Orchids and Sphagnum moss for Japan, Velvet to Asia, slink skins to North America and flour to Australia, identify the versatility and adaptability of our farming industry. The Southern Alps ski fields have received international recognition and with the burgeoning popularity of cross country skiing and the suitability of our ski terrain promise substantial increases in tourism. Rafting the Southern rivers has become an International status symbol, while fishing our pollution free rivers entertain sportspersons from around the world in ever increasing numbers. The tourist potential of New Zealand is enormous and the world wide demand for custom made holiday adventures compliments our facilities and people. New Zealand is one of the world's most innovative countries and has a proud tradition of pioneering - in social legislation, in inventive design, in exploration, mountaineering, and agricultural research. Located on 45° South, New Zealand is situated in the South Pacific Ocean with a population of 3,000,000 plus, and a land area of 102,415 square miles (a little larger than Great Britain). New Zealand, one of the world's most efficient agricultural producers, enjoys a balanced rainfall, temperate climate and abundant grasslands that make it ideal for sheep production. There are in excess of 50 million sheep on more than 25,000 farms. Twenty five million lambs are reared each year for the world's markets. History & Population New Zealand is a highly developed and productive country. Organised European settlement dates back to the middle of last century. The first million of population was reached in 1908, the second in 1952, the third in 1973. The growth rate is likely to accelerate as New Zealand continues to develop secondary industries based on the top quality products of its pastoral and pastoral-linked economy.