New Zealand (interesting facts)

Day 3,469, 07:56 • Published in New Zealand New Zealand • by tropic sparrow

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Things people might not know about New Zealand:

- Unlike Australia, New Zealand does not have any dangerous or poisonous animals (with the one tiny exception of the Katipo Spider). Here’s a really good reason to visit New Zealand – there are no snakes in the country!

- There are also no nuclear power stations in New Zealand.

- With 4.6 million people and the estimated 29.5 million sheep it's about six sheep per person ratio.

- In NZ you will hear the word “Kiwi” quite a lot – on the one hand there is the native flightless bird and the Kiwi Fruit but on the other hand it is also used as a slang term for a New Zealander.

- New Zealand was the first major nation to have universal suffrage - In 1893 it became legal for all male and female citizens of New Zealand to vote.

- New Zealand is one of only three countries that have two official (and of equal standing) national Anthems. The first is God Save the Queen (the English National Anthem) and the other is God Defend New Zealand. The other two countries with two anthems are Denmark and Canada which both have a Royal Anthem and a State anthem.

- Auckland is the largest Polynesian city in the world and is also known as “the city of sails”. It has more boats per capita than anywhere else in the world.

- With its three harbours, and dozens of secluded bays and beaches, our beloved Auckland is also home to 50 volcanic cones. Most of these have been extinct and basically dormant for thousands of years. Rangitoto, the leader of this volcanic family, has only a few birds and insects that grace its presence.

- Wellington, the Capital City of New Zealand, is the southernmost capital city in the world.

- New Zealand was the last major landmass to be populated (with the exception of the polar regions).

- Sir Edmund Hillary – the first man to reach the peak of Mount Everest (with his climbing partner Tenzing Norgay) was a New Zealander (born in Auckland) and his face is on the New Zealand $5 bill

- At 85 letters, Taumatawhakatangihangaoauauotameteaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu, is the longest place name found in any English speaking country. Roughly translating too, “the place where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, who slid, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as the land-eater, played his nose flute to his loved ones”. This 305 metre high hill, is situated in the southern Hawke’s Bay.

- Maximum temperature during summer ranges between 20-30°C. In winter, the average maximum temperature ranges between 10-15°C.
Four seasons in one day is not that unusual.

- New Zealand is a popular summer destination, both for overseas and domestic visitors. This is partly due to the fascinating Maori culture, amazing scenery and also the huge success of the films "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit".

- Best travel times are the warmer high-season months (November to April).