30 Facts About New Zealand: Interesting, weird, and downright quirky
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: New Zealand should be at the top of every person’s bucket list. From sprawling landscapes and abundant marine life to bungee jumps and sky diving, there's something for everyone. To help inspire your next great adventure, I’ve compiled a list of 30 of the most interesting, quirky, and weird about New Zealand.
Buckle up… here we go!
1. New Zealand is home of the world’s first commercial bungee jump
Searching for an adventure? Make sure to stop by Queenstown — commonly known as the adrenaline capital of the world! Just outside the city sits AJ Hackett Bungy, named after the man who established the attraction in 1988 after being inspired by the natives of nearby Vanuatu who would take the plunge using tree vines. Are you brave enough to take a leap of faith off the Kawarau Bridge and plummet 43 meters towards the river below?
2. Plenty of space and not a lot of people
Although New Zealand is similar in size to the United Kingdom, only 4 million people call this island nation home. That’s slightly less than the estimated 66 million people inhabiting the UK…
3. New Zealand made women’s rights history in 1893
The nation became the first modern country in the world to give women the right to vote! Well done, New Zealanders!
4. Conquering Everest
Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person ever to scale Mount Everest, was from New Zealand.
5. A step ahead of the rest of the world
Well, physically speaking. New Zealand is (debatably) the first country on Earth to welcome the sun each morning. In 2011 Samoa motioned to move its position on the International Dateline to align themselves better with the workweek in Australia and New Zealand. Technically speaking, they’re the first country to welcome the new day, but due to the curvature of the planet many people are adamant that the East Cape on New Zealand’s north island is the first place to actually see the sunrise. Good enough for me!
Rise and shine, folks!
Sunrise from Round Hill Ski Fields
6. Into golf? Add New Zealand to your travel list!
Although New Zealand’s national sport is rugby, the country boasts more golf courses per capita than another place in the world.
7. No snakes
No more needs to be said, here. There are literally no snakes in New Zealand, but be sure to be on the lookout for the Giant Weta bug. This insect weighs more than a sparrow! Don’t worry, it won’t harm you.
8. The best of the mountains AND the sea
In New Zealand, you don’t have to be either a “mountain person” or a “beach person” — you can be both! You’ll never be more than 128km away from the coast, no matter where you might end up.
Kaikoura, New Zealand
9. Home of the Kakapo
This is the only flightless parrot in the world!
10. “Long white cloud”
The Maori word for New Zealand is Aotearoa, meaning long white cloud. If you look on a map, it checks out… the country is pretty long — nearly 1,000 miles to be exact.
11. Receive your weather reports in Elvish
New Zealand is known around the world as the filming location of Lord of the Rings movies and the people have truly embraced it. In 2012, the country even broadcasted a weather report in Elvish! View it here.
12. The fraudulent fruit
New Zealanders are often referred to as “Kiwis,” named after the national bird… NOT the fruit. As it turns out, kiwi fruit originates from China and was first known as “Chinese Gooseberries” before later being renamed after New Zealand’s national bird. I guess if you squint, turn off the lights, and close one eye, then the fruit (sort of) looks like the body of the bird?
13. Wellington’s claim to fame
Sitting at 41.28 degrees south and 174.7 degrees east, Wellington is the southernmost capital city in the entire world.
14. Bats are king
No, bats don’t rule over the country… there’s actually a very efficient Government that does that. However, bats are the only land mammals native to New Zealand. Every other species was introduced to the ecosystem.
15. Just how far south can you go?
New Zealand ranks 3rd in proximity to Antarctica, behind Chile and Argentina. Take a quick trip to Slope Point on the southern island and you’ll find yourself standing closer to the final frontier than to the equator.
Slope Point - South Island, New Zealand
16. Home to the world’s longest name of a place… 85 characters, to be exact
Are you ready for it? Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu. Roughly translated as “the place where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, who slid, climbed, and swallowed the mountains, known as the land-eater, played his nose flute to his loved ones.”
17. Jedi religion is real
Well, sort of. According to a 2001 census, over 50,000 people listed “Jedi” as their religion. It took a bit of a hit during the following census in 2006 when only 20,000 people claimed it.
18. New Zealand is actually Australia - wait, what?
No, not really. However the Australian Constitution does list New Zealand as a state of Australia, giving Kiwis the option to join the confederation if they so choose.
19. The entire country is a hiker’s paradise
Nearly 33% of New Zealand’s stunning landscape is protected as part of the National Parks system. There are endless wonders to explore! Freedom camping comes with strict regulations though, so make sure you know before you go.
Hiking the Hooker Valley Trail in Aoraki National Park
20. Kiwis are kind and caring
The people, not the birds. New Zealand is tied with Denmark as the least corrupt country in the world.
21. Three official languages
It’s not uncommon for countries to boast more than one official language, but the unique thing about New Zealand is that they list English, Maori, and New Zealand Sign Language. Pretty cool, right?
22. New Zealand isn’t just a place for Jedis, it’s home to Wizards, too!
In 1990 the New Zealand Government actually appointed a “National Wizard” whose duties included casting out evil spirits. I’m not kidding.
23. Enjoy the holidays without toxic consumerism
The New Zealand Government has banned all television commercials during Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day (national day of remembrance in New Zealand and Australia), and Christmas Day.
24. The country breeds equality
New Zealand is the only country in the world to have all of the Government’s highest positions occupied by women at the same time. This occurred in 2006 when the Queen, Governor General, Prime Minister, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chief of Justice were all female.
25. New Zealand not only welcomes all walks of life, but all waddles of penguins, too
The island nation boasts more species of penguins than anywhere else in the world! Talk about being inclusive.
26. Ah, New Zealand, home to massive amounts of… sheep?
Although the number fluctuates, the generally accepted ratio of sheep to people is 9:1.
27. E lhowā Atua, but also please defend our dirt
New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world that sings two national anthems: E lhowā Atua in the Maori language, followed by God Defend New Zealand (English).
28. New Zealand - the land of the… Scottish
New Zealand is home to more Scottish pipe bands than… you guessed it… Scotland! Don’t forget to pack your kilt.
Mt. Cook National Park - South Island, New Zealand
29. Peace reigns supreme
In addition to being listed as the least corrupt country in the world, New Zealand topped the Global Peace Index in 2009.
30. Ever wonder where Pizza Hut acquires such massive amounts of cheese?
No, it’s not Wisconsin. It’s not even Italy. The restaurant chain purchases their mozzarella cheese from Taranaki, New Zealand! So does that mean Pizza Hut counts as “farm to table” dining there? Hmm…
Where else are you going to be able to meet Jedis that get their weather reports in Elvish? New Zealand is truly a wonder of the world and is home to some of the most generous people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.
Sure, it takes a while to get there and can often be daunting, but I promise you it’s worth it. It’s time to book that trip you’ve been dreaming about!
Thanks for following along & safe travels.
This post is featured by Twinkl in their New Zealand Resources blog.
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