New Zealand
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New Zealand is a regional super-power little country in the South Pacific. It is best described by this equivalence relation: New Zealand is to Australia, as Canada is to the United States.[1] Some have described New Zealand as "like charmingly crap Britain in the 1950s". Others refer to it by its cleverdick nickname "Godzone", as in "God's Own Country", etc.
The former Prime Minister was a woman who claims to be an agnostic, however as a liberal, possibly communist, woman she is more than likely an atheist who is bad at mathematics. She would like this site, especially all the Christianity articles. Now the power has shifted to the right and the National party, led by John Key (who is also agnostic), holds parliament. Although it should be noted that the "right wing" in New Zealand are still considered "flaming liberals" in the United States.
The Lord of The Rings was filmed in New Zealand. It's also the home of bungie jumping.
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[edit] Politics
For many years New Zealand was regarded as a social laboratory, resulting in an extremely progressive governmental structure. New Zealand has no written constitution, meaning that elected politicians who are (vaguely) accountable to the people decide on the laws, not politically appointed and unaccountable old judges.
New Zealand has a parliamentary system of governance with Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting held every 3 years. Voters have two votes, the first to elect the preferred Prime Minister and ruling party, the second vote is the preferred party to hold the electoral seat of any given district. While there are two large parties, Labour and National, if any smaller party breaks the 5% threshold they get a seat in parliament and potential influence over decision making.
[edit] Religion
New Zealand's national religion is Rugby Union, and the national team, the All Blacks, have a curious ability to win every game in the four years in between world cups and then choke at the main event. The curse of the All Blacks will probably never be lifted - their 1987 victory excepted.
New Zealand is also home to Brian Tamaki, a televangelist who promoted himself to the rank of bishop, but has not moved diagonally since.
Graham Capill, founder of the Christian Heritage political party and currently serving time for the rape of a twelve year old girl, also hails from New Zealand, demonstrating that extreme religious hypocrisy is a worldwide phenomenon.
[edit] Seditious liberal activities
New Zealand also takes part in many seditious liberal activities such as the Kyoto Protocol, the UN, and peace-keeping efforts, and did not participate in the totally awesome bad-ass Iraq War. It also has strict gun control and almost non-existent gun crime. Go figure eh?
[edit] Nuclear free status
During the 1960s New Zealand saw a series of protests on the issue of nuclear weapons. During the late 1970s there was great opposition to visiting United States nuclear warships and French nuclear tests in the Pacific. In 1984, the opposition Labour party won the election and signed nuclear free legislation into law, which included a ban on nuclear weapons and visiting nuclear-powered ships were not allowed into New Zealand waters. The Americans tested New Zealand's resolve on this issue by requesting a visit by the USS Buchanan to which the New Zealand government refused. The States then broke off all visible military and intelligence ties with NZ.
[edit] Sacre bleu!
New Zealand's Rainbow Warrior Greenpeace ship had been active in protesting French nuclear tests in the Pacific, much to the consternation of the cheese-eating surrender monkeys. In 1987 two French secret service agents bombed and sunk the ship while it was moored in Auckland harbour, killing one man. The French agents were caught and sentenced to 10 years each. France then used its European influence to threaten New Zealand's trade in the area, and France boycotted New Zealish products. Not to be outdone, New Zealand boycotted French products, however both countries looked to mediation by the United Nations. The United Nations gave France a spanking and a $13 million fine[2].
[edit] Current status
New Zealand's anti-nuke legislation still stands and has never been challenged by any successive governments since. Only recently, in the last 15 years, has the United States slowly been rebuilding shared intelligence with New Zealand.
[edit] Notable New Zealanders
- Sir Edmund Hilary - first man to conquer Everest
- Peter Jackon - movie director
- Helen Clark - number three at the UN
- Lord Ernest Rutherford - discoverer of the atomic nucleus
- Jonah Lomu - the first global superstar of Rugby Union
- Australia
- Phar Lap - A really fast horse
- Ace McWicked
- Flight of the Conchords
Ace's sisterThat chick who auctioned off her cherry to pay her schooling fees.
[edit] Footnotes
- ↑ Other examples include Wales to England, Portugal to Spain and Finland to Sweden.
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinking_of_the_Rainbow_Warrior
