14 Fascinating Facts About New Zealand You Didn’t Know

New Zealand is a dream destination. This is one popular country to visit, in fact, tourists spent more than 115 million dollars per day in New Zealand in 2019. We have more fun facts about New Zealand to entice the traveler in you. Once you read this, you’ll want to visit New Zealand as soon as the borders open.

Interesting Facts About New Zealand

What are some natural sites you should know about? What do Wellington and Christchurch have to offer? What exactly is a kiwi anyway? And where did Gandalf film his scenes? To answer these, read on for 14 fun facts about New Zealand.

1. There Is More Than One Type Of Kiwi

When you hear the word, “kiwi,” you probably think of the little green fruit. However, there are actually three different meanings for the word, including the fruit.

• A “kiwi” can refer to a native of New Zealand. Many New Zealanders like to call themselves Kiwis, but tourists can call residents Kiwis as well.
• A “kiwi” is also a type of flightless bird. You can find them all over the country, with large plots of land designated as their habitats. The bird inspired the nickname for New Zealanders, not the fruit. Moreover, the kiwi fruit does not come from New Zealand, but rather China.

2. National Reserves Make Up 30 Percent of the Country

New Zealanders value natural landscapes. Mount Cook is New Zealand’s tallest mountain, and it, along with the surrounding woods, is a protected refuge. You can go for a day trip, but remember to minimize littering as much as possible.

If you prefer a water getaway, you can explore the fjord at Milford Sound. A boat trip will allow you to see native whales, dolphins, and penguins.

3. New Zealand Has a Hill With the World’s Longest Name

Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu is a hill located near Poranghau along the southeast coast of New Zealand. The hill stands just over 1,000 feet tall and offers a lovely view of the countryside. It is best known for its name, which runs 85 characters long.

The name is Māori, and the English translation reads, “The summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the slider, and climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travels around, played his flute to his loved one.” If you don’t feel like pronouncing the entire name, you can simply call it “Taumata.”

4. Wellington Is the Most Southerly Capital in the World

Wellington is located at 41.2924° S, 174.7787° E, making it the southernmost capital of an independent country, even though it is ironically located on North Island.

Despite this position, Wellington enjoys a mild climate, as average temperatures never dip below freezing, and summer highs can reach into the 60s and 70s.

There are plenty of great places to visit in Wellington, so consider spending some time there. Museums and libraries provide incredible opportunities to learn interesting facts about New Zealand.

5. There Are Five Sheep for Every Resident in New Zealand

Livestock represents one of New Zealand’s leading industries, with 37.8 million livestock recorded in 2019, which includes 26.8 million sheep. With less than five million people residing in New Zealand at that time, this means there are roughly five sheep for every New Zealander.

However, sheep are not the only animal residents; the country is home to various bats and birds, including the well-known kiwi. Remarkably, only five percent of the New Zealand population is human.

6. New Zealand Pioneered Women’s Suffrage

Throughout the 19th century, New Zealand women banded together to gain voting rights. During the 1890s, they sent petitions through Parliament urging lawmakers to grant them the ability to vote. On September 19, 1893, the Electoral Act was signed into law, marking New Zealand as the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote in parliamentary elections, therefore beating the United States by more than 20 years.

Women have played a vital role in politics ever since. Notably, in 2006, all of the country’s top positions were simultaneously held by women, an unprecedented occurrence in world history. Currently, the Prime Minister of New Zealand is Jacinda Ardern, who has been in office since 2017.

7. Dunedin Has the World’s Steepest Residential Street

Dunedin is a residential city with over 100,000 inhabitants. Only a few live on Baldwin Street, which boasts a slope of 19 degrees. The street extends more than 1,000 feet, making driving incredibly challenging. Nonetheless, both residents and tourists have braved the steep incline; one resident even raised significant funds for charity by traversing the street on a pogo stick.

8. The Jedi Worship Across the Country

In 2001, an email campaign encouraged individuals worldwide to identify as “Jedi” or express “Jediism” as their religion during censuses. In New Zealand, over 53,000 residents identified themselves as Jedis, accordingly making Jediism more popular than Buddhism and Hinduism.

Although the number dropped to just over 20,000 in 2018, what defines Jediism varies based on individual understanding. Some have even attempted to launch their own churches.

9. New Zealand Is Home to Tolkien Tourism

Almost all scenes in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films were filmed in New Zealand. Consequently, countless book and film enthusiasts travel to the country. Tourism related to these movies generates 33 million dollars in yearly revenue. Tourists can visit Hobbiton, where the sets for the Shire scenes remain intact today.

The government recognized the importance of Tolkien tourism and even established the world’s first Minister of the Rings. Parliament member Pete Hodgson was appointed to coordinate efforts aimed at attracting tourists to New Zealand.

10. There Are Three National Languages

New Zealand recognizes English, Māori, and Sign Language as its three official languages. Nearly 150,000 New Zealanders can participate in everyday conversations in Māori, with a majority being Māori adults. The language’s popularity has grown in recent years; several bands have released songs in Māori that achieved national airplay.

More than 20,000 residents can communicate in New Zealand Sign Language, which is closely related to British Sign Language and shares many signs with American Sign Language. It gained national language status in 2006 after years of advocacy.

11. Antarctica Is Next Door

New Zealand is the third-closest country to Antarctica. It has deep connections to the continent; Alexander Von Tunzelmann, a New Zealander, was among the first people to step foot on its mainland. New Zealand also has direct control over a small section of the continent and hosts many tourist organizations that arrange trips to Antarctica. You can explore options for flights or boat trips to see penguins and glaciers.

If you prefer a warmer experience, check out attractions in Christchurch. Their Antarctic Centre offers insight into explorers and provides a simulated cruise experience. The Centre is an excellent place to learn fun facts about New Zealand.

12. Volcanoes Are Everywhere

Auckland is surrounded by 50 volcanoes, with others scattered throughout the islands. Most volcanoes are now extinct, and the active ones pose no significant threat. Mount Rangitoto is located on an island over three miles wide and extends nearly 1,000 feet above sea level, where you can go for scenic walks.

13. The Blue Lake Has the Clearest Water In the World

The Blue Lake, located in Nelson Lake National Park within the Southern Alps, has the clearest water of any freshwater body globally, allowing visibility of several hundred feet when you gaze into it.

Significantly, the lake is a sacred site for the Māori; they used to cleanse the bones of their ancestors and release their spirits into the underworld. Consequently, swimming is prohibited, though visitors are permitted to stand at the edge and admire the depths.

14. You Can Eat a Lot of Butter and Cheese

New Zealand is poised to produce 22 million metric tons of milk in 2021, translating to 360,000 metric tons of cheese and 520,000 metric tons of butter. You can indulge in a variety of dairy products throughout the country, from locally grown cheddar to brie and camembert.

We hope these fun facts about New Zealand have helped you learn more about the country and its culture. You can explore natural reserves, volcanoes, and glaciers across various islands. You can walk alongside kiwi birds, sheep, and penguins.

Engage in conversations with Māori in their native language or try out New Zealand Sign Language. Join the Jedi community, thousands strong, and savor delicious cheddar cheese by crystal-clear waters.

Discover more unique facts about New Zealand to create memories that will last a lifetime.