What's the most amazing thing about New Zealand? ​50 most interesting facts about New Zealand. Facts about government

Located somewhere between Australia and Antarctica New Zealand is often left behind when it comes to travel planning. In general, this country the size of Japan and a population of 4.5 million people is the most sparsely populated territory. And its indigenous inhabitants - the Maori - began to settle on the islands only in 1250 AD. But perhaps we are simply underestimating this country?

BigPiccha offers you 25 amazing and amazing facts about New Zealand - it's time to visit this mysterious land of kiwis and "The Lord of the Rings"!

(Total 25 photos)

1. Firstly, in New Zealand the word “kiwi” never means a fruit. Kiwi refers either to a species of local flightless bird or to the islanders themselves. And by the way, calling a New Zealander a “kiwi” is not at all offensive! But that same fruit is called “kiwi fruit”.

2. New Zealand was discovered in 1642 by the Dutch sailor Abel Tasman. He left this country after several members of his team were killed by the Maori, the indigenous population of the country. Until 1769, Europeans did not visit these islands. It wasn't until 1769 that Captain James Cook arrived and put the islands on the map. By the way, until Europeans appeared in New Zealand, the indigenous Maori people did not know money, but used barter exchange.

3. Although the country boasts the most amazing topography in the world, any part of it is closer than 130 km from the ocean. However, the islands of New Zealand are only 7% of the submerged continent known as Zealand.

4. Residents of New Zealand are the first in the world to see the dawn of a new day.

5. Wellington is the capital and second largest city of New Zealand. The city has an excellent tourist infrastructure and unusual attractions. Wellington is also the southernmost capital of the world, which arouses even greater interest among tourists.

6. Obesity may be a reason for refusal to obtain a residence permit in New Zealand.

7. New Zealand ranks second in the list of the least corrupt countries in the world, second only to Denmark.

9. Although the kiwi is a flightless bird, it is the logo of the New Zealand Air Force.

10. The New Zealand government actually created the position of Minister for The Lord of the Rings in order to make as much money as possible from the theme of this film saga.

11. Queen Elizabeth II is the monarch of New Zealand. Its responsibilities include ratifying laws approved by parliament.

12. There are more vending machines in Japan than there are people in New Zealand (about 4.5 million).

13. Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to conquer Everest, was a Kiwi (in the sense of a native of New Zealand, not a bird).

14. A favorite place for tourists to visit in New Zealand is Lake Taupo. It was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption approximately 27,000 years ago. This eruption is still considered the most powerful in the last 100,000 years.

15. For every person in New Zealand there are nine sheep.

16. The water in Blue Lake, which is located in Nelson Lakes National Park, is considered the clearest in the world.

17. There are no snakes on the New Zealand islands.

18. New Zealand has the most penguin species in the world.

19. Auckland is called one of the most convenient and safe cities in the world.

20. About a third of the country's land area is a protected area.23. New Zealand stretches from subtropics in the north to colder regions in the south. As a result, the country has the most variable geography and climate in the world. The North Island has volcanoes, deserts and tropical beaches, while the South Island has plains, glaciers and alpine peaks.

24. It is in New Zealand that there is a small mountain with the longest (82 letters) geographical name in the world - Taumatahuakatangiangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokanuenuakitanatahu. This name is in the Maori language - the indigenous people of New Zealand. The translation goes something like this: “The top of the hill where Tamatea, the man with the big knees who rolled, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as the earth eater, played his flute for his beloved.”

25. Powelliphanta is a huge snail found only in New Zealand. By the way, she is carnivorous.

New Zealand is one of the most distant countries for us, at least according to the world atlas. What do we know about this place near Australia? Is it worth traveling there? Who lives there? And why is this region called one of the most beautiful corners of the earth? A selection of interesting facts about New Zealand will introduce you better to this country, and who knows, maybe you will decide to buy a tour and go on an unforgettable journey.

World of New Zealand

It is known that people inhabited these places very late. Scientists have discovered human traces that date back to the 13th century. These were the Maori tribes, which to this day are part of the national composition of the state.

The level of corruption is extremely low, as is the crime rate in general. Maybe one comes from the other?

Which one do you think is considered one of the national languages? The answer is not simple, it is sign language.

The first state to declare itself a nuclear-free power was New Zealand; this landmark event occurred in 1987. Practically speaking, there is no nuclear power plant on the territory and nuclear-powered vessels cannot enter the water.

Wellington is the capital of the state and geographically the southernmost capital of the planet.

Many people know that the films “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” were filmed here. There is even a position in the government apparatus that is responsible for everything related to these films.

The official symbol is the kiwi bird. Besides the fact that she does not have wings, she also lives only in these places. There has long been talk about changing the national flag, where they want to place this bird.

Conquerors of Everest and dormant volcanoes

Obtaining a license is possible from the age of fifteen.

Nature here is lively. For example, about four hundred earthquakes occur on average per year. The amplitude is not powerful, but still.

Baldwin Street in one of the New Zealand cities has a descent of 38 degrees.

Edmund Hillary is a well-known personality among travelers and climbers. Why, you ask? Edmund is the first person to climb Everest. He comes from these places.

Although the volcanoes are now quiet, the largest eruption that has occurred over the past 70 thousand years is the creation of the local volcano Taupo, the lake of the same name is now located in its crater.

No snakes, large predators, poisonous insects. And as a counterbalance, a great variety of penguins live here.

Almost everywhere there is a strict ban on fires. Almost a third of the country's entire territory is protected areas. But even outside of them, it’s better not to take risks; the easiest thing would be to get off with a fine.

The large city of Auckland is known for the largest skyscraper in the Southern Hemisphere of the planet.

New Zealand, located between Australia and Antarctica, is often forgotten by the rest of the world. In fact, it is one of the last significant landmasses to be inhabited by humans. Even the indigenous Maori people only settled on the islands around 1250 AD. Today we will tell you interesting facts about New Zealand that will make you want to be a native of this country!

25. Firstly, as you may have already noticed, kiwi is not considered a fruit in New Zealand. This is either a flightless bird endemic to this country, or a nickname for the citizens of this country themselves. Unlike residents of many other countries, New Zealanders are not offended when they are called “kiwis”!

24. If you are wondering what the kiwi fruit is called in New Zealand, then know that it is called “kiwifruit”

23. New Zealand was the last major land mass to be settled by humans.

22. Although New Zealand boasts extraordinary topography, no part of it is more than 130 kilometers from the ocean!

21. Wellington is the southernmost capital on Earth.

20. According to international surveys, Milford Sound is the best tourist destination in the world.

19. According to the Corruptions Perception Index, New Zealand, along with Denmark, is the least corrupt in the world.

18. Baldwin Street in Dunedin is the steepest street in the world, its inclination angle is 38 degrees.

17. Despite the fact that the kiwi is a flightless bird, it is on the logo of the New Zealand Air Force.

16. The New Zealand government actually created the position of Minister in charge of the Lord of the Rings films to make sure that the country gets as much profit from these films as possible.

15. The length of the “145-kilometer beach” is actually approximately 90 kilometers.

14. There are more vending machines in Japan than there are people in New Zealand (approximately 4.5 million)

13. Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to reach the top of Everest, was a New Zealander.

12. In fact, Lake Taupo is a crater left after the most powerful volcanic eruption in the last 70,000 years.

11. For every resident of New Zealand there are 9 sheep.

10. It is believed that Blue Lake contains the water in the world.

9. There are no snakes in New Zealand.

8. New Zealand is home to more species of penguins than anywhere else in the world.

7. Auckland regularly appears on lists of the best cities to live in the world.

6. Approximately a third of the country's territory consists of protected national parks.

5. The only land mammals endemic to New Zealand are bats.

4. Since the 1980s, New Zealand has opposed the use of nuclear energy and even today there is not a single nuclear power plant in the country.

3. New Zealand extends from the subtropics in the north all the way to much colder regions in the south. As a result, it boasts some of the world's most diverse geography and climate.

2. The northern island is home to volcanoes, deserts and tropical beaches, while the southern island is covered in plains, glaciers and mountain peaks.

1. Powelliphanta is a giant snail found exclusively in New Zealand and is carnivorous.

New Zealand is located between Australia and Antarctica, and is the most sparsely populated territory, a country the size of Japan with a population of 4.5 million people, and Japan has more vending machines than New Zealand has people.

Kiwi is a bird in New Zealand, not a fruit.

Fact #1: In New Zealand, the word "kiwi" never refers to the fruit. Kiwi refers either to a species of local flightless bird or to the islanders themselves. And by the way, calling a New Zealander a “kiwi” is not at all offensive! But that same fruit is called “kiwi fruit”. Although the kiwi is a flightless bird, it is the logo of the New Zealand Air Force.

The Lord of the Rings was filmed in New Zealand

Fact No. 2: As you know, the film “The Lord of the Rings” was filmed in New Zealand, so the government of this country established the post of Minister for “The Lord of the Rings” in order to earn as much money as possible from the theme of this movie saga.

New Zealand has a mountain with the longest name in the world

Fact No. 3: It is in New Zealand that there is a small mountain with the longest (82 letters) geographical name in the world - Taumatahuakatangiangakoauauotamateaturipukakakapikimaungahoronukupokanuenuakitanatahu. This name is in the Maori language - the indigenous people of New Zealand. The translation goes something like this: “The top of the hill where Tamatea, the man with the big knees who rolled, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as the earth eater, played his flute for his beloved.”

The world's largest snail

Fact #4: Powelliphanta is a huge snail that lives only in New Zealand. By the way, she is carnivorous.

New Zealand does not have a single nuclear power plant

Fact #5: Since the 1980s, New Zealand has decided to go nuclear-free, and today there is not a single nuclear power plant on the islands.

There are no snakes in New Zealand

Fact #6: There are no snakes on the New Zealand Islands.

There is the safest city in the world

Fact #7: Auckland is called one of the most convenient and safe cities in the world.

New Zealand has the most penguins in the world.

Fact #8: New Zealand has the most penguin species in the world.

Birds that eat rubber

Fact #9: Tourists have noticed that Kea birds, native to New Zealand, often steal windshield wipers from cars and eat strips of rubber from windows.

The steepest street in the world

Fact #10: Baldwin Street in Dunedin is the steepest street in the world - it is inclined by 38%.

Nine sheep each

Fact #11: For every person in New Zealand there are nine sheep.

The clearest water in the world

Fact #12: The clearest water in the world- This is the water in the Blue Lake, which is located in the Nelson Lakes National Park of New Zealand.

Horse in a coat, Hobbits and more!

What do you think of when you hear "New Zealand"? For me, these are mountains, greenery, frankly the butt of the world and, perhaps, that’s all. I haven't been there, but now I really want to. Below is a summary of interesting facts about the country.

1. "Cloud" country

New Zealand (“Aoetaroa”) is translated from the Maori language as “land of the long white cloud.” According to legend, long white clouds often form on the horizon, hence the metaphorical name.

Although I would call New Zealand “the land of the rising sun”, and not Japan. The local residents are the first to greet the rising sun.

2. They are all kiwi

In New Zealand, kiwis are New Zealanders themselves first and foremost. They love to be called that. "Hi, I'm Lisa the kiwi." Cool!

Kiwi is also a flightless bird. It is very unusual: it has no wings or tail, but it has a long narrow beak and feathers that look more like wool. I learned about kiwi a long time ago, when I was surfing the Internet very touching video about a bird that wants to fly. Strange fact: although the kiwi does not fly, it is the logo of the New Zealand Air Force.

And you, of course, remember about kiwi, which is sold even on our shelves. Initially, the fruit was called Chinese gooseberry, as it came straight from the Middle Kingdom. However, the merchants decided that they couldn’t do business with such a name and named it after the bird.

3. Three languages

Kiwis have three official languages: Maori, English and New Zealand Sign Language.

Everything is clear with the first two. But sign language?! Meanwhile, approximately 25,000 people communicate on it. Hmm, you won't even be able to call each other.

4. It's the other way around

Winter lasts from June to August. Summer is from December to February.

And yet, for us, New Zealanders walk upside down.

5. Variable geography and climate

New Zealand begins in the subtropics in the north and extends to colder latitudes in the south. Kiwi country is the most variable in the world in terms of geography and climate.

Thus, volcanoes, deserts and tropical beaches on the North Island give way to plains, alpine peaks and glaciers on the South Island.

6. Cold is not a problem

Kiwis wear regular T-shirts and shorts at 0˚C.

Doctors say that locals have been accustomed to being a little cold since childhood, since there is no heating in their houses. For this reason, the population tolerates low temperatures more easily.

7. Healthy way

It seems that the majority of the population is in favor of a healthy lifestyle and playing sports. And yet, according to 2012 data, New Zealand has the third highest obesity rate in the world. It is believed that this is due to those who have come in large numbers, who are predisposed to be overweight.

The sad fact is that in New Zealand it is obesity that can prevent you from obtaining a residence permit.

8. Amazing fauna

The fauna here is unique. The most dangerous representative is the wild boar. There are no snakes, not even mosquitoes. Only here you can meet kiwi and kea birds, the owl parrot kakapo, takahe, etc. There are also tuateria and weta. By the way, the latter scares me even more than the wild boar. This huge insect, weighing more than a sparrow, resembles a huge cockroach. Ewww!!! The carnivorous snail Powelliphanta, listed in the Red Book, is also found. She is capable of devouring worms that are not inferior to her in size.

The smallest species of dolphin, Hector's dolphin, lives off the coast of New Zealand. An adult reaches 1.4 m in length, which is smaller than the average adult.

Unfortunately, after human intervention, some species became extinct, so today nature is intensively protected.

9. The most difficult place name

I used to think that the name of the Icelandic glacier and volcano Eyjafjallajökull was the most difficult to pronounce. Oh, how wrong I was.

In New Zealand, a small hill bears the longest name in the world - Taumatahuakatangiangakoauauotamateaturipukacapikimaungahoronukupokanuenuakitanatahu. Translated something like: “The top of the hill where Tamatea, the man with big knees who rolled, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as the earth eater, played his flute for his beloved.”

10. Dangerous sun

If you want to sunbathe, then you have definitely missed the country. Remember from school history books about the ozone hole? She is here.

It is not recommended to be in direct sunlight anymore five minutes. To avoid negative consequences, you must always (!!!) apply sunscreen. Sometimes such tools can be used for free in public places. This is not a joke. People in New Zealand actually get skin cancer a lot and look 10 years older.

Moreover, even the horses are dressed in special clothes to protect from the sun. So a horse in a coat is common among kiwis.

11. Unreal nature

A third of the territory is occupied by national parks. They are under state protection. There are sprays in front of the entrance, which are recommended to treat shoes in order to kill all foreign microbes.

The most favorite place among tourists is Lake Taupo, located in the crater of an extinct volcano. Nelson Lakes National Park is home to Blue Lake, which has the clearest water in the world. Lakes Pukaki and Tekalo, the “champagne pond” and the devil’s bath are also recommended.

New Zealand is home to two of the largest supervolcanoes. Their eruption can deprive the planet of sunlight, filling the atmosphere with ash. This has never happened in the entire history of mankind. I hope it doesn't happen.

There are also pancake rocks piled up here, as if served for breakfast. The main thing is to have enough time for all locations.

12. Steep Street

New Zealand has many cool natural attractions, and this one is located on one of the streets.

The city of Dunedin is home to the steepest street in the world - Baldwin. It is notable for the fact that it descends at an angle of 38 degrees.

13. Keep calm and take your time

New Zealanders are not in a hurry. Nothing is urgent and it just needs to be accepted. It’s normal for them if the Internet will be connected for three weeks.

However, people are not lazy; they think through a plan in advance and then act according to it. Maybe that’s why politics and the economy in the country are so stable?

14. No corruption

Kiwis laugh when they hear that other countries are proposing to “solve the issue amicably.” There is no corruption in the country.

Try to bribe a policeman and he will immediately arrest you. If, of course, he understands what you mean.

According to the 2016 Corruption Perceptions Index, New Zealand is tied with Denmark for first place among the least corrupt countries.

15. Illegal marijuana is legal.

Weed is prohibited, but you can safely smoke it on the street, the police are not chasing anyone. Once a year, marijuana lovers gather in the center of Auckland, smoke publicly and thereby fight for the legalization of the drug.

Many locals have a rule: there should always be wine and herbs in the house.

16. Weekends start earlier

On Thursday, bars in New Zealand are no less packed than on the last day of the working week. People are celebrating that tomorrow is Friday!!!

This is what I understand: Thanks God Tomorrow Is Friday instead of the well-known Thanks God It’s Friday (TGIF)!

17. What is not accepted

In Kiwi country, they don't tip. At all. If you leave a tip, the waiter may regard such an act as an insult. In this they are similar to the Chinese.

On the other hand, New Zealanders worry when they travel abroad. They are afraid to forget to tip because they don’t want to be seen as greedy.

18. Bungee jumping wouldn't exist without New Zealanders

Of course, jumping upside down has been around for a long time. Residents of Vanuatu tied long vines to their feet and made fearless jumps. They believed that such a ritual was the key to a good yam harvest.

In the 80s, Kiwis AJ Hackett and Chris Sigglecoe created a special mounting system for extreme "flight". On November 12, 1988, the world's first commercial bungee jump opened in Queenstown. Today you can even jump here in Sochi, in a park named after the discoverer of the unusual “sport.”