74 Interesting Facts About New Zealand [Free Fact Cards]

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Ready to learn about one of the most stunning places on the planet? Let’s dive into these interesting facts about New Zealand and learn about this little spice of Paradise!

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Did you know that New Zealand pretty much has it all? From rugged mountains to crystal-clear beaches, not to mention its unique wildlife and fascinating culture. Fasten your seatbelts because we’re about to go on an unforgettable journey down under to learn about New Zealand!

Located southeast of Australia, this country has two main islands: the North and South Island. Whether you’re into hiking, skiing, or even bungee jumping, New Zealand is like a gigantic playground for nature lovers. Oh, and let’s not forget about water activities—kayaking, sailing, you name it!

New Zealand is even home to the Kiwi! This iconic, flightless bird is a national symbol that people from New Zealand are often called “Kiwis.” And it doesn’t stop there; the country is also home to more sheep than people. Yup, you heard that right. It’s a woolly wonderland down there!

But hold on, movie fans, did you know that parts of New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes were turned into movie sets for the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” film series? So, if you’ve ever dreamt of stepping into the world of wizards, elves, and hobbits, New Zealand is the closest you’ll get to Middle-earth.

Ready to dive deeper into this South Pacific gem? Trust me, this is just the tip of the iceberg—or should I say, the peak of the mountain these facts about New Zealand. It is a treasure trove of fascinating facts. Let’s set sail and explore!

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Best Facts About New Zealand

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  1. 30% of the country is a national reserve.
  2. No part of the country is more than 79 miles from the sea.
  3. Lord of the Rings was filmed in New Zealand.
  4. Ships navigating in New Zealand waters have a famous dolphin as a guide.
  5. The clearest lake in the world is Nelson’s Blue Lake.
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  1. New Zealand was the first self-governing country to grant women the right to vote in 1893.
  2. A giant carnivorous snail lives on the southern island of New Zealand.
  3. New Zealand has more Scottish pipe bands per capita than any other country in the world.
  4. The kea, a bird originally from New Zealand, is known for pulling windshield wipers from cars and eating rubber strips from windows.
  5. It has the most southerly capital in the world.
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  1. In the scene of Star Trek: First Contact, where one sees the Earth from space, Australia and Papua New Guinea are clearly visible but New Zealand is absent.
  2. New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, the holiday falls during the summer months.
  3. New Zealand has some of the best wineries in the world.
  4. The national sport is rugby union.
  5. New Zealand houses Waitomo Glow worm Caves, the world’s only glow worm cave.
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  1. Every 24 hours, more than 21 million liters of freshwater spring from the ground through the cracks in the limestone at Waikoropupu, near Takaka – part of the Nelson Province. 
  2. New Zealand’s flag features the Union Jack and the Southern Cross constellation.
  3. New Zealand is an extremely multicultural country and very welcoming to immigrants.
  4. In New Zealand, there is a drinking holiday called Crate Day.
  5. ‘God Save The King’ is the official national anthem of New Zealand.
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  1. It was the last country in the world to be inhabited by humans.
  2. New Zealand is the 3rd closest country to Antarctica, only after Chile and Argentina.
  3. New Zealand’s native kauri tree takes about 200 years to mature.
  4. In New Zealand, the Pohutukawa is a Kiwi Christmas tree.
  5. New Zealand will produce 22 million metric tons of milk in 2021. 
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  1. New Zealand was named the world’s top country in 2007 and 2008 by Wanderlust magazine.
  2. Volcanoes are everywhere.
  3. New Zealand is the first country with universal suffrage.
  4. There are five sheep per person in New Zealand, making it the highest ratio in the world.
  5. The kiwi bird, native to New Zealand, is a national symbol and gives its name to the people and culture.
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  1. There is only 5% of the human population in New Zealand and the rest of the inhabitants
  2. Auckland is one of the most affordable cities in the world where you can live.
  3. The Kiwi fruit was originally called Chinese gooseberries.
  4. Cars are just as prevalent in New Zealand! 
  5. In 1990, New Zealand became the first country in the modern world to appoint an Official National Wizard.
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  1. New Zealand has a hole in its ozone layer.
  2. In New Zealand insects are big.  
  3. People die in New Zealand each year playing lawn bowls rather than scuba diving.
  4. The Māori haka is a traditional war dance often performed by New Zealand’s sports teams.
  5. There are no snakes in New Zealand.
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  1. There are two national anthems for New Zealand.
  2. New Zealand has a small population of approximately 4.7 million people
  3. New Zealand is the first country to see the sunrise.
  4. Dunedin has the steepest road in the world.
  5. Gumboot throwing is a ‘sport’ in which the gumboot is thrown to the furthest distance
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  1. New Zealand has more penguin species than any other nation.
  2. The lowest denomination in New Zealand currency is the 10-cent piece.
  3. Due to its isolation, New Zealand has a unique and diverse range of flora and fauna.
  4. The Whakapapa Ski Area on Mount Ruapehu is the largest ski resort in New Zealand.
  5. The driest city in New Zealand is Christchurch, and Wellington is the wettest.
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  1. New Zealand is among only three countries in Oceania.
  2. More than 360 glaciers make up New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
  3. The country is known for its stunning landscapes, including mountains, beaches, forests, and lakes.
  4. The All Blacks, New Zealand’s national rugby team, are one of the most successful rugby teams in the world.
  5. New Zealand’s Pacific Ring of Fire location makes it prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
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  1. With 85 letters, the longest one-word place name is that of a hill in New Zealand called Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu. 
  2. New Zealand has only been inhabited by humans since the 13th Century.
  3. The Māori name for NZ – Aotearoa, means ‘land of the long white cloud’.
  4. New Zealand can have 4 seasons in one day.
  5. New Zealand does not have a nuclear generating station.
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  1. English is spoken by 96.14% of the national population.
  2. The world’s first commercial bungee jumping operation started at the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown.
  3. Wellington is the most southerly capital in the world.
  4. New Zealand is home to the smallest dolphin species on earth.
  5. Earthquakes are common in New Zealand.
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  1. New Zealand could be sunny and warm on the East Coast while pouring rain on the West Coast.
  2. Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb the Everest Summit, is originally from New Zealand.
  3. A law states every high school in New Zealand may hold one pound of uranium and one pound of thorium for conducting nuclear experiments. 
  4. In New Zealand alone, more than 53,000 residents identified themselves as Jedis. That number meant that Jediism was more popular than Buddhism and Hinduism
  5. The Abel Tasman Coast Track is one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, offering coastal hiking opportunities.
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  1. New Zealand is a picturesque island nation situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
  2. The Pōhutu Geyser in Rotorua can erupt up to 30 meters high and is a significant tourist attraction.
  3. New Zealand recognizes English, Maori, and Sign Language as its three official languages.
  4. The country has around 600 islands. The main ones are, of course, the North Island and South Island. There’s also Waiheke Island, Stewart Island, and Chatham Island. 
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Do you have even more interesting facts about New Zealand? Be sure to share them in the comments so that we can learn more too!

Are you looking for more fun and engaging facts to share with your family? Check out these other posts for more facts!

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