Real Estate New Zealand
Real estate, or immovable property,
is a legal term (in some jurisdictions) that encompasses
land along with anything permanently affixed to the
land, such as buildings. Real estate (immovable
property) is often considered synonymous with real
property (also sometimes called realty), in contrast
with personal property (also sometimes called chattel or
personalty). However, for technical purposes, some
people prefer to distinguish real estate, referring to
the land and fixtures themselves, from real property,
referring to ownership rights over real estate.
The terms real estate and real property are used
primarily in common law, while civil law jurisdictions
refer instead to immovable property. Property law, the
area of the common law that governs real property,
differs from contract law in that it focuses primarily
on rights that one person holds over all other people,
as opposed to specific individuals.
New Zealand is a country in the south-western Pacific
Ocean consisting of two large islands (North Island and
South Island) and many much smaller islands, most
notably Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. New
Zealand is also known in Māori as Aotearoa, which is
usually paraphrased in English as Land of the Long White
Cloud.
The Realm of New Zealand also includes the Cook Islands
and Niue, which are self-governing, but in free
association; Tokelau; and the Ross Dependency (New
Zealand's territorial claim in Antarctica).
It is notable for its geographic isolation, being
separated from Australia to the northwest by the Tasman
Sea, some 2000 kilometres (1250 miles) across. Its
closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji,
and Tonga.
The population is mostly of European descent, with the
indigenous Māori being the largest minority. Non-Māori
Polynesian and Asian peoples are also significant
minorities, especially in the cities.
Elizabeth II, as the Queen of New Zealand, is the
nominal Head of State and is represented, in her
absence, by a non-partisan Governor-General; the Queen
'reigns but does not rule', so she has no real political
influence. Political power is held by the
democratically-elected Parliament of New Zealand under
the leadership of the Prime Minister who is the Head of
Government. |
