Many of New Zealand's cultural and social structures closely resemble those of the United States. The cultural commonalities would allow U.S. soldiers to immerse themselves relatively smoothly in New Zealand should American military operations ever be conducted in this part of the world. The many similarities between the United States and New Zealand would provide military commanders the advantage of leading troops into an area where soldiers are not completely shocked or overwhelmed by major cultural differences. The social and ethnic qualities of New Zealand differ from those of the United States, but only because of the physical location of the two countries in relation to each other. New Zealand is located in Oceania. It is located in the South Pacific Ocean, approximately 2,500 miles off the southeastern coast of Australia. There are many cultural and social similarities between America and New Zealand. This is largely due to the fact that European immigrants make up New Zealand's largest ethnic population. English is the official language of New Zealand. However, the native language Maori is also one of the official languages, although very few in New Zealand speak it. The food in New Zealand is a little different than in the United States. Instead of beef, New Zealanders use lamb as their main meat and it is one of the country's main exports. In addition to lamb; Pork and game are common dishes, as are a wide assortment of seafood. New Zealanders also have the perfect soil and climate for good vineyards, so wine and cheese are common starters seen across the country. The food consumed in New Zealand is very similar to that of the United States, although perhaps it may be cooked and presented a little differently. Obviously...at the heart of the card...many of the same values ​​that Americans have as well. The New Zealand Defense Force appears to have adopted some of the traditions, organization and doctrine used by the US military. The culture, language, and food are all slightly different than in the United States, but the differences are not as far apart as in other countries around the world. The situation between Pakeha and Maori is somewhat similar to the situation between white settlers of the United States and American Indians when Western expansion was a growing theme in North America. While there are some differences in New Zealand's operational variables compared to the United States, the similarities are much greater. Using similarities as a shared connection between the two countries will go a long way in ensuring a quick and successful adjustment for deployed American troops.