With a flightless bird as its national icon and roughly 6 sheep per capita, there’s something decidedly quirky about New Zealand. A collection of three pretty isolated islands at the bottom of the world, with a population of five million and a reputation for throwing dildos? This is a country worth asking more questions about. Are there cars? Does everyone have hairy feet? And how on earth are there dinosaur-like birds and no dangerous animals?
We thought we’d help you with the answers to a few of these, and some other New Zealand facts to whet your appetite. After all, New Zealand is a fantastic place to travel, and an even better place to live, especially if you’re from an English speaking country. It’s a young country, but one with some fascinating stories and an ever-changing identity.
What makes New Zealand so special?
Well, let’s start with the country’s creation story. Maori legend says New Zealand was fished from the sea by the demigod Māui. Māui, a character already well-known for taming the sun and bringing fire to the world, carved out a magic fish hook from an ancestor’s jawbone. He cast it out to sea while chanting a powerful prayer, and snagged something huge.
With the help of his brothers, they pulled up their catch: not a fish, but what would become known as Te Ika a Māui (the North Island). The South Island is often known by Te Waka a Māui, after the canoe that Māui and his brothers were on, though the official name is Te Waipounamu. Stewart Island off the bottom of the South Island is known as Te Punga a Māui (the canoe’s anchor).
Because the three islands of New Zealand have been geographically isolated from the rest of the world for so long, they were also (until colonisation) spared the wrath of common predators like rats, stoats and possums. That meant the birdlife population was allowed to develop in the most spectacular way, which is why the birds look like they’ve just wandered out of the Jurassic era. If you’re lucky you might see the small flightless Kiwi, the Kea (the world’s most intelligent bird, and only alpine parrot) or the Pukeko (blue, long legged chicken) – to name a few.
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The landscape of New Zealand is unlike anywhere else, with unspoiled wilderness that means there is always a stone yet to be turned over. It’s great place to travel for anyone, and being as safe as it is, it’s also one of the best countries to take the kids.
What is New Zealand’s culture like?
Kiwis are known around the world for being friendly, and while this is true, they’re generally pretty reserved under all that – something of a colonial hangover. New Zealanders tend to be outgoing and social on the surface, but it’ll take a while to crack that private interior.
The pace of life in New Zealand is, in general, pretty laid back. Whilst the main cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch have more of a hustle, you wont find many Kiwis staying late at work to make an impression – there’s sunlight hours to be enjoyed! Even in the city, people prioritize spending time with kids and family, getting outside and having fun.
Your average New Zealander can be humble to the point of self-deprecation, and will typically never be found singing their own praises. In fact, there’s a term, ‘Tall Poppy Syndrome’, which describes the way high achievers are ‘lopped down’ by their peers for excelling. Don’t be deterred though, we’re starting to see changes in this trend.
What is New Zealand famous for?
The list of facts is long, but let’s start with one of the more important. In 1893, New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote, These days, world famous prime minister Jacinda Ardern gets the country a lot of attention, too, while Dame Patsy Reddy is the third female governor general in a row.
The South Island’s Milford Sound is a source of national pride, and the track has been named ‘the finest walk in the world’. An exploration of the Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound and the fiords around it are known for their jaw-dropping beauty. In Maori legend, Milford Sound was formed by Tu te raki whanoa, the god who shaped the Fiordland coast, and who hacked at the rock walls, carving it from the earth.
Most places you go in the world, if you mention New Zealand, you’ll get ‘Lord of the Rings’ as a response. The country’s epic scenery makes it a popular spot for film making, with the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Hobbit Trilogy and The Chronicles of Narnia all using it as their backdrop.
What are New Zealand’s values?
A classically Kiwi trait is resourcefulness, or the ‘Number 8 Wire Mentality’. Borne from isolation, the Number 8 Wire describes New Zealanders’ ability to adapt and invent to solve problems with the materials that they have (like the ever-present Number 8 fencing wire).
As a democratic country, equality, fairness and honesty are all important to the average New Zealander. New Zealand has traditionally been known for being an egalitarian society, though like any country, it has plenty of its own social issues and inequalities. When it comes to the gender pay gap and women’s rights, New Zealand is doing better than many in the western world; becoming the first country to grant women the vote certainly would have helped with that.
For the most part, it’s an inclusive and open-minded place, particularly in the bigger cities like Auckland and Wellington, the capital city, where people from all cultures are arriving to live. Whether you speak English, Hindi or sign language, everyone is welcome.
Three fun facts about New Zealand?
- One of the lesser known and more interesting facts about New Zealand – there are heaps of golf courses. With over 400, that’s more per capita than anywhere else in the world.
- Most people will know of Milford Sound, but maybe not that much of the track was built by prison work gangs in 1890. That’s no mean feat, battling New Zealand sandflies for months on end.
- New Zealand boasts the longest place name in any English speaking country in the world: Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu, near the Hawkes Bay. As far as New Zealand facts go, that one’s a mouthful.
New Zealanders love the outdoors. In fact, it was a Kiwi who first climbed Mt Everest.
In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Mountaineer Tenzing Norgay became the first official climbers to reach the summit of Mt Everest.
What are some common fallacies about New Zealand?
- First off, it’s not a tropical island, and people don’t all live in huts. In fact, the South Island has a mostly dry climate and Auckland, the largest city, has a population of 1.5 million people.
- Unfortunately, most of the the computer generated kingdoms so loved by LOTR fans are not, in fact, real. On that note, contrary to popular belief, New Zealanders are not hobbits, either.
- The haka, the ritual dance that many see performed by the All Blacks, has been called a mating dance. This is fake news. The haka is a ceremonial challenge dance traditionally performed when two groups (or tribes) meet, to demonstrate pride, strength and unity. These days it is often performed at special occasions like weddings, funerals and birthdays.
What is the main sport in New Zealand?
Rugby, followed by rugby, and a close third going to rugby. If you haven’t heard of the New Zealand team, the All Blacks, look them up. It’s a national obsession.
How did New Zealand get its name?
The Maori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, which means ‘Land of the long white cloud’, likely named as New Zealand’s islands were seen from the canoe, with their vast mountains drawing the cloud cover close.
What are some of the most popular spots to travel to in New Zealand?
Te Waipounamu’s Southern Alps are home to magnificent mountains, which make for some of the world’s finest skiing, hiking and all-round adventuring. As an island, the entire country is (obviously) surrounded by incredible coastline, so think surfing, diving, swimming and endless beach time – it’s perfect for the kids.
Where the ocean isn’t in sight, you’re never far from a gorgeous body of water. Take Lake Taupo, in the central North Island, which is the largest lake in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s a popular spot for fishing and boating, and is close to Ruapehu for skiing in the winter.
So it’s not a tropical island. What’s the best time to come to New Zealand for a summer holiday?
New Zealand summer is between December and February, with February and March being the two hottest months. Whilst temperatures vary across the land, generally it’s warm and sunny and everyone flocks to the beach. This is a time of year where fun, relaxation and a day with the kids take priority in New Zealand.
Does it snow in New Zealand?
Yes. The South Island’s Southern Alps and the mountains of the central North Island get plenty of snow over winter, and they’re awesome places to ski or snowboard. Whether you’re looking for a day activity with the kids or a full season of ski action, New Zealand offers some epic action up the mountain.
What is New Zealand’s sound?
There’s plenty of great music coming out of New Zealand, with the most famous probably being Fat Freddy’s Drop. While the country’s music scene is broad and diverse, Fat Freddy’s sound has become quintessentially New Zealand and synonymous with sunshine; a blend of dub, reggae, soul, rhythm and blues.
What is the most popular food in New Zealand?
It’d have to be fish and chips, though barbeques, picnics or hangis (a traditional Maori fire pit) are popular ways to share food, too. Here, like many places, food is a way to bring people together and forge friendships.
Convinced yet?
