The Dutch, then, its discoverers, were not so wrong in naming it Zealand or Sea-land.
Next to light, perhaps the chief characteristic of the country and its climate is variety.

Thanks to its great length the north differs much from the south.

Southland is as cool as northern France, with an occasional southerly wind as keen as Kingsley's wild north-easter.

But in gardens to the north of Auckland I have stood under olive trees laden with berries.

Hard by were orange trees, figs, and lemon trees in full bearing.