Why isn't New Zealand a continent?

Answer 1

'Continent' refers to the geographical arrangement of the land itself, and Australia is a continent because it is too large to be an island.

'Country' refers to the political organization of an area, and Australia happens to have one Australian central government. There are six states and two mainland territories which federated in 1901 to become the nation of Australia.

This is the classical definition however life is often more complicated than it should be. For example, Greenland, the world's largest island is not a continent of its own. This is probably due to population levels. Also, Australia is a continent in most places but in some parts of the world that continent is called Australasia or Oceania which is more inclusive of News Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Answer 2

Britain is geographically very close to the Continental land mass of Europe. The distance from Britain to Saudi Arabia is similar to the distance from New Zealand to Australia, and there is no land mass linking New Zealand to Australia; but a large sea separating them.

New Zealand is a geograhically and physically isolated country; an island group and nation; not part of a continent.

Answer 3

New Zealand consists of two large islands, and many small islands. If you look at a map of the Pacific, you will see that it is quite a long way from any continent.

New Zealand consists of two main islands, which are the peaks of the submerged continent of Zealandia, which likes under the south Pacific Ocean east of Australia.

Answer 4

in pure and simple terms - its an island chain

Answer 5

Australia is very large in area relative to New Zealand.