New Zealand : the making of an Asia-Pacific society / Nicholas Tarling.

Land and people (The land ; Maori ; The Europeans ; Pasifika ; The 'Asians', Chinese ; Diaspora) -- The economy (Forests ; Pasture ; Pests and profits ; Fruit and wine ; Industry ; Transport ; Mines, dams, fuels) -- State and politics (Basics : a highly centralised state in a small country ; Politics after Waitangi ; Liberals and Labour ; The drepession ; The first labour government ; Holland and Holyoake ; Labour, Muldoon and Labour again ; Parties ; Honours) -- Foreign relations (Basics : NZ and a world of states ; Britain ; Australia ; The United States and Japan ; China ; Southeast Asia ; New Guinea and Timor ; The Pacific Islands) -- Education and science (Schools ; Examinations ; Tomorrow's schools ; Universities ; Learning for life ; International students ; Studying Asia ; Science and research) -- Sports and arts (Sports ; Olympic and Commonweath Games ; The arts in context ; The art forms ; Music ; Opera ; Theatre, spoken drama ; Ballet and dance ; Film ; Arts Council and creative New Zealand).

Offers a portrait of New Zealand informed by the author's own involvement in its history. Presents six main topics in New Zealand's evolution, including the importance of the role of government. Shows its transition from a recently inhabited territory that was once part of a world-wide European empire to an independent and innovative society that enbraces its geography and identifies with the Pacific region. Places New Zealand's evolution in an international context, and invites readers to consider contrasts and similarities with China's own past and present.--Cover.