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New Zealand Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: New Zealand: Geography, History, and Society

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New Zealand: Geography, History, and Society Study Guide

Geography and Natural Environment

New Zealand's two primary landmasses, the North Island and the South Island, are separated by the Tasman Sea.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source states that the North and South Islands are separated by the Cook Strait. The Tasman Sea separates New Zealand from Australia.

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The Southern Alps, a prominent feature of New Zealand's topography, are primarily a result of volcanic eruptions rather than tectonic uplift.

Answer: False

Explanation: According to the source material, New Zealand's topography, including the Southern Alps, is largely a result of tectonic uplift and volcanic eruptions, not one exclusive of the other.

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The South Island is less mountainous than the North Island and is characterized by extensive volcanism.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source states the South Island is dominated by the Southern Alps and is more mountainous, while the North Island is less mountainous but is characterized by volcanism.

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Zealandia is a microcontinent that gradually submerged after breaking away from the Gondwanan supercontinent, and New Zealand is part of it.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source identifies New Zealand as being part of Zealandia, a microcontinent that largely submerged after breaking away from Gondwana.

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New Zealand's climate is predominantly tropical, with consistent high temperatures year-round.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source describes New Zealand's climate as predominantly temperate maritime, not tropical.

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New Zealand's long period of geographic isolation led to a high proportion of endemic plant species and the evolution of flightlessness in many bird species due to the lack of mammalian predators.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source attributes the high percentage of endemic plants and the evolution of flightless birds to New Zealand's long geographic isolation and lack of mammalian predators.

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Which of the following best describes New Zealand's geographical location?

Answer: East of Australia, across the Tasman Sea, and south of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga.

Explanation: The source material locates New Zealand in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and south of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga.

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What are the Māori names for the North Island and the South Island, respectively?

Answer: Te Ika-a-Māui and Te Waipounamu

Explanation: The source identifies the Māori names for the North Island as Te Ika-a-Māui and for the South Island as Te Waipounamu.

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What geological processes are primarily responsible for New Zealand's sharp mountain peaks and varied topography?

Answer: Tectonic uplift and volcanic eruptions.

Explanation: The source attributes New Zealand's varied topography, including its sharp mountain peaks, to the country's location on a dynamic plate boundary, resulting in tectonic uplift and volcanic eruptions.

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What is the highest point in New Zealand, located in the Southern Alps?

Answer: Aoraki / Mount Cook

Explanation: The source identifies Aoraki / Mount Cook as New Zealand's highest point, at 3,724 meters.

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What is Zealandia?

Answer: A microcontinent that New Zealand is part of.

Explanation: The source describes Zealandia as a microcontinent, nearly half the size of Australia, of which New Zealand is the most significant unsubmerged part.

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Which of the following best describes New Zealand's general climate?

Answer: Predominantly temperate maritime

Explanation: The source describes New Zealand's climate as predominantly temperate maritime, with mean annual temperatures ranging from 10 °C in the south to 16 °C in the north.

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What is a significant consequence of New Zealand's long period of geographic isolation on its wildlife?

Answer: The evolution of flightlessness in many bird species.

Explanation: The source explains that New Zealand's long isolation and lack of mammalian predators led to the evolution of flightlessness in many bird species, such as the kiwi.

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Historical Development and Māori-Crown Relations

Polynesians were the first humans to settle New Zealand, arriving in several waves between 1280 and 1350 CE.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that Polynesians were the first human settlers, arriving between approximately 1280 and 1350 CE.

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The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, immediately granted New Zealand full statutory independence from the United Kingdom.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source states that the Treaty of Waitangi led to the establishment of the Crown Colony of New Zealand in 1841, not full statutory independence.

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The New Zealand Wars, which followed the Treaty of Waitangi, primarily occurred in the South Island and led to the return of Māori land.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source indicates the New Zealand Wars occurred primarily in the North Island and resulted in the alienation and confiscation, not the return, of large amounts of Māori land.

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New Zealand became a dominion in 1907 and achieved full statutory independence in 1947.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source material confirms that New Zealand became a dominion in 1907 and gained full statutory independence in 1947 with the adoption of the Statute of Westminster.

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New Zealand was the first nation to introduce a minimum wage and grant women the right to vote.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source highlights New Zealand's pioneering social achievements, noting it was the first nation to introduce a minimum wage and to grant women the right to vote.

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The name 'New Zealand' was given by the first European visitor, Abel Tasman, who initially named the islands 'Staten Land'.

Answer: False

Explanation: While Abel Tasman did name the islands 'Staten Land', the source clarifies that Dutch cartographers later renamed it 'Nova Zeelandia' (New Zealand) after the Dutch province of Zeeland.

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The introduction of the musket by Europeans significantly reduced intertribal conflicts among Māori.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source indicates that the introduction of the musket transformed and intensified intertribal conflicts, leading to the 'Musket Wars'.

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The 'Musket Wars' occurred between 1801 and 1840 and led to a significant decline in the Māori population.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms the 'Musket Wars' took place from 1801 to 1840, resulting in 30,000–40,000 Māori deaths and contributing to a significant population decline.

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James Busby was appointed British Resident in 1832 with the primary duty of establishing a formal colonial government.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source states James Busby's duties were to protect settlers and traders, prevent 'outrages' against Māori, and apprehend convicts, not to establish a formal colonial government.

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The first Labour Government in New Zealand established a comprehensive welfare state and a protectionist economy.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that the first Labour Government, elected during the Great Depression, established a comprehensive welfare state and a protectionist economy.

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The Waitangi Tribunal was established in 1975 to investigate alleged breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi, and its mandate was expanded in 1985 to include historic grievances.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source material confirms the Waitangi Tribunal was established in 1975 and its mandate was expanded in 1985 to cover historic grievances.

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Approximately when did Polynesians first begin to settle the islands of New Zealand?

Answer: Between 1280 and 1350 CE

Explanation: The source material states that Polynesians began to settle the islands in several waves approximately between 1280 and 1350 CE.

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What was the immediate consequence of the Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840?

Answer: The Crown Colony of New Zealand was established.

Explanation: The source indicates that the Treaty of Waitangi led to Britain's declaration of sovereignty and the establishment of the Crown Colony of New Zealand in 1841.

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What was a significant outcome of the New Zealand Wars?

Answer: Alienation and confiscation of large amounts of Māori land.

Explanation: The source states that a major result of the New Zealand Wars was the alienation and confiscation of large amounts of Māori land to meet settler demands.

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When did New Zealand achieve full statutory independence?

Answer: 1947

Explanation: According to the source, New Zealand gained full statutory independence in 1947 with the adoption of the Statute of Westminster.

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What pioneering social achievement is New Zealand known for?

Answer: Being the first nation to grant women the right to vote.

Explanation: The source material notes that New Zealand was the first nation to grant women the right to vote, a pioneering social achievement.

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Who was the first European visitor to the islands of New Zealand?

Answer: Abel Tasman

Explanation: The source identifies the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman as the first European visitor to New Zealand.

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What impact did the introduction of the potato have on Māori agriculture and society?

Answer: It provided a reliable food surplus, enabling longer military campaigns.

Explanation: The source explains that the introduction of the potato provided a reliable food surplus, which in turn enabled longer and more sustained military campaigns during intertribal conflicts.

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Approximately how many Māori deaths resulted from the 'Musket Wars' between 1801 and 1840?

Answer: 30,000–40,000

Explanation: The source estimates that the 'Musket Wars' resulted in the deaths of 30,000 to 40,000 Māori.

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What was one of James Busby's assigned duties as British Resident in New Zealand in 1832?

Answer: To protect settlers and traders of good standing.

Explanation: The source lists one of James Busby's duties as protecting settlers and traders of good standing.

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What was a key policy implemented by New Zealand's first Labour Government?

Answer: Establishment of a comprehensive welfare state.

Explanation: The source indicates that New Zealand's first Labour Government established a comprehensive welfare state and a protectionist economy.

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What was the primary purpose of establishing the Waitangi Tribunal in 1975?

Answer: To investigate alleged breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Explanation: The source states that the Waitangi Tribunal was established in 1975 to investigate alleged breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.

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Government and Political System

New Zealand's legislative independence from the British Parliament was fully achieved with the adoption of the Statute of Westminster in 1947, with no further residual powers remaining.

Answer: False

Explanation: While the 1947 Statute of Westminster was a major step, the source clarifies that residual British legislative powers were removed in 1986, and final rights of appeal to British courts were abolished in 2003.

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New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with the Prime Minister as the head of state.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source clarifies that New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy where the monarch (King Charles III) is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government.

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Under New Zealand's Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) voting system, voters cast a single vote for a candidate in their electorate, and representation in Parliament is based solely on these electorate votes.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source explains that under the MMP system, each voter casts two votes: one for a candidate in their electorate and one for a political party. Parliamentary representation reflects the party vote.

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The Realm of New Zealand includes New Zealand itself, Tokelau, the Ross Dependency, and the self-governing states of the Cook Islands and Niue.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that the Realm of New Zealand comprises New Zealand, Tokelau, the Ross Dependency, the Cook Islands, and Niue.

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When were the final rights of appeal to British courts abolished for New Zealand?

Answer: 2003

Explanation: The source states that the final rights of appeal to British courts were abolished in 2003, marking a further step in New Zealand's legislative independence.

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Who is the current head of state for New Zealand?

Answer: Charles III

Explanation: The source identifies New Zealand as a constitutional monarchy with King Charles III as the King of New Zealand and thus the head of state.

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In New Zealand's Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) voting system, how many votes does each voter cast?

Answer: Two votes: one for a candidate and one for a party.

Explanation: The source explains that under the MMP system, each voter casts two votes: one for a candidate in their electorate and another for a political party.

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Which of the following is NOT a component of New Zealand's judiciary?

Answer: The Privy Council of the United Kingdom

Explanation: The source lists the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court as components of the judiciary. It also notes that rights of appeal to the Privy Council were abolished in 2003.

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What is the primary responsibility of regional councils in New Zealand's local government structure?

Answer: Regulating the natural environment and resource management.

Explanation: The source states that regional councils are responsible for regulating the natural environment with a focus on resource management.

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Which of the following territories is NOT included within the Realm of New Zealand?

Answer: Fiji

Explanation: The source lists Tokelau, the Ross Dependency, the Cook Islands, and Niue as parts of the Realm of New Zealand. Fiji is an independent country and not part of the Realm.

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New Zealand maintains particularly close relations with which two countries?

Answer: Australia and the United States

Explanation: The source states that New Zealand maintains particularly close relations with Australia and the United States, being a major non-NATO ally of the latter.

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Economy and International Trade

The economic restructuring in New Zealand during the mid-1980s, known as Rogernomics, transformed the country into a highly regulated and protectionist economy.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source states that Rogernomics transformed New Zealand from a protectionist and highly regulated economy into a liberalized free-trade economy.

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The first shipment of refrigerated meat in 1882 significantly boosted New Zealand's economy by establishing meat and dairy exports to Britain.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source identifies the 1882 shipment of refrigerated meat as a pivotal event that established meat and dairy exports to Britain, forming the basis for strong economic growth.

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The industrial sector is the largest contributor to New Zealand's economy, followed by the service sector.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source states that the service sector is the largest contributor to New Zealand's economy, followed by the industrial sector.

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Wool has consistently remained New Zealand's largest agricultural export and export earner since the late 19th century.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source indicates that while wool was historically a major export, its importance has declined, and dairy products are now New Zealand's largest export earner.

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New Zealand generates the majority of its electricity from fossil fuels, with hydroelectric power being a minor contributor.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source states that the majority of New Zealand's electricity is generated from renewable sources, primarily hydroelectric and geothermal power.

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The macroeconomic restructuring in New Zealand during the mid-1980s was known by which of the following terms?

Answer: Rogernomics and Ruthanasia

Explanation: The source identifies the major macroeconomic restructuring of the mid-1980s by the terms Rogernomics and later Ruthanasia.

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What was the significance of the first shipment of refrigerated meat on the ship 'Dunedin' in 1882?

Answer: It led to the establishment of meat and dairy exports to Britain.

Explanation: The source describes this shipment as a pivotal moment that established meat and dairy exports to Britain, providing the basis for strong economic growth.

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Which sector is the largest contributor to New Zealand's economy?

Answer: Service sector

Explanation: The source identifies the service sector as the largest contributor to New Zealand's economy, followed by the industrial and agricultural sectors.

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What is New Zealand's largest export earner as of 2018?

Answer: Dairy products

Explanation: The source states that dairy products have become New Zealand's largest export earner, accounting for 17.7% of total exports in 2018.

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What are the two primary sources of renewable energy for electricity generation in New Zealand?

Answer: Hydroelectric and geothermal power

Explanation: The source indicates that the majority of New Zealand's electricity is generated from hydroelectric power, with geothermal power also being a significant generator.

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Demographics, Culture, and Society

Wellington is New Zealand's most populous city, while Auckland serves as its capital.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source material identifies Wellington as the capital city and Auckland as the most populous city.

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As of the 2023 census, the majority of New Zealand's population identifies as Māori, followed by Europeans.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 2023 census data in the source indicates that the majority of the population (67.8%) identifies as European, while Māori are the largest minority group (19.6%).

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English, Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language are the three official languages of New Zealand.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source material identifies English, Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language as the country's official languages.

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The Māori name Aotearoa originally referred to the entire country of New Zealand before European arrival.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source material suggests that the name Aotearoa originally referred only to the North Island, and it is not known if a name for the entire country existed prior to European arrival.

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Ernest Rutherford, a notable New Zealander, is recognized for his contributions to plastic surgery.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source credits Ernest Rutherford with splitting the atom. Contributions to plastic surgery are attributed to Archibald McIndoe.

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The North Island is home to approximately 76.5% of New Zealand's resident population, reflecting a historical 'drift to the north'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms a historical 'drift to the north,' with the North Island now being home to approximately 76.5% of the country's resident population.

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The Māori language (te reo Māori) was always widely spoken and encouraged in New Zealand schools, leading to its strong preservation.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source indicates that the Māori language was discouraged and suppressed in schools after World War II, leading to its decline before revitalization efforts began.

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According to the 2023 census, the majority of New Zealand's population identifies as Christian.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 2023 census data in the source shows that a majority (51.6%) of the population stated they had no religion, while Christians formed the largest single religious group (32.3%).

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Primary and secondary schooling in New Zealand is compulsory for children aged 5 to 18.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source states that primary and secondary schooling is compulsory for children aged 6 to 16.

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New Zealand's national identity and culture are solely derived from early British settlers, with little influence from other cultures.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source describes New Zealand's culture as being derived from Māori and early British settlers, but broadened by increased immigration from Asian and other Polynesian cultures.

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Traditional Māori carvings often feature human figures with five fingers and smooth, unadorned heads.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source describes traditional Māori carvings as featuring human figures with three fingers and detailed or stylized heads decorated with spirals, ridges, and other patterns.

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Rugby union is considered New Zealand's national sport, and the 'All Blacks' perform a haka before international matches.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source identifies rugby union as the national sport and notes that the national team, the 'All Blacks', performs a haka, a traditional Māori challenge, before international matches.

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Which city is the capital of New Zealand?

Answer: Wellington

Explanation: The source material explicitly states that Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand.

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According to the 2023 census, which ethnic group constitutes the largest minority in New Zealand?

Answer: Māori

Explanation: The source states that while Europeans are the majority, the indigenous Māori are the largest minority group at 19.6% of the population.

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Which of the following is NOT an official language of New Zealand?

Answer: Samoan

Explanation: The source identifies English, Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language as the official languages. Samoan is not listed as an official language.

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What is the common translation for the current Māori name for New Zealand, Aotearoa?

Answer: Land of the long white cloud

Explanation: The source states that Aotearoa, the current Māori name for New Zealand, is often translated as 'land of the long white cloud'.

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As of August 2025, what is the estimated total population of New Zealand?

Answer: 5,371,260

Explanation: The source provides an estimated total population of 5,371,260 as of August 2025.

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What percentage of New Zealand's population identified as having no religion in the 2023 census?

Answer: 51.6%

Explanation: According to the 2023 census data provided in the source, 51.6% of the population stated they had no religion.

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What is the adult literacy rate in New Zealand?

Answer: 99%

Explanation: The source material states that New Zealand has a 99% adult literacy rate.

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Which of the following best describes New Zealand's national cuisine?

Answer: Pacific Rim, blending Māori, European, Polynesian, and Asian traditions.

Explanation: The source describes New Zealand's national cuisine as Pacific Rim, which incorporates native Māori cuisine with traditions from European, Polynesian, and Asian settlers.

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What is the traditional Māori challenge performed by the 'All Blacks' before international rugby matches?

Answer: Haka

Explanation: The source states that the 'All Blacks' perform a haka, a traditional Māori challenge, before international matches.

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According to Statistics New Zealand's June 2024 estimate, which is the most populous city in New Zealand?

Answer: Auckland

Explanation: The source lists Auckland as the most populous city with an estimated population of 1,530,500 as of June 2024.

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