Close Menu
Interesting FactsInteresting Facts
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Interesting FactsInteresting Facts
    • Home
    • Explore
    • Categories
      • Business
      • Games
      • Geography
      • History
      • Movies
      • Music
      • People
      • Sport
      • Technology
      • TV
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram TikTok YouTube
    Subscribe
    Interesting FactsInteresting Facts
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram TikTok YouTube
    Subscribe
    Home»Geography»New Zealand: 10 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    New Zealand: 10 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    Henno KrugerBy Henno Kruger3 Mins Read154 ViewsAugust 15, 2022
    Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Copy Link

    New Zealand is one of South Africa’s biggest rugby rivals, but there’s much more to this tiny island nation that’s located at the edge of the Pacific ocean. It’s definitely one of the countries that I want to visit one day despite the fact that it will take me more than 22 hours by airplane to get there from South Africa.

    NetfloristOfferforge

    Here are 10 Interesting facts about New Zealand you may not know

    1. The first Europeans known to have reached New Zealand were Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman and his crew in 1642. Tasman named this place ‘Nieuw Zeeland’ (after the Netherlands province of Zeeland). No Europeans returned here until British explorer James Cook’s voyage of 1768–71. It was the last major landmass to be populated (with the exception of the polar regions).

    2. The country has a strong hold on the international trade in sheep meat. There are presently around 9 sheep to every 1 human in New Zealand. Today an estimated 5.1 million people live in the country.

    New Zealand

    3. The whole of the Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed in New Zealand. The director of the films, Peter Jackson, was born in New Zealand.

    4. It’s a fact that at 41.2 degrees South, Wellington (the capital city of New Zealand with a population of +/- 439,000) is the most Southernly capital city on the planet. Auckland is the largest city in the country with a population of 1.7 million.

    Auckland - New Zealand

    5. The country was the first major nation to have universal suffrage. In 1893 it became legal for all male and female citizens of the country to vote.

    6. Queen Elizabeth II is officially Queen of New Zealand. She is represented in the country by a Governor General, who ratifies all laws put before him or her by the elected parliament of New Zealand.

    7. It’s 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.

    8. It was the first country to have its three top positions of power held simultaneously by women: The Prime Minister (Helen Clark), the Governor General (Dame Silvia Cartwright), and the Chief Justice (Sian Elias).

    9. It’s a fairly liberal nation with homosexual marriage (Civil Union) being legal and prostitution, soliciting, and brothel keeping being legal. The driving age is 15, the consensual sex age is 16, and the drinking age is 18 (though minors accompanied by adults are allowed alcohol in restaurants).

    10. Sir Edmund Hillary (the first man to reach the peak of Mount Everest in the Himalayas) was born in Auckland, New Zealand and his face is on the country’s $5 bill.

    I’m sure that there’s something I’ve left out. If you have anything to add, please comment on this post.

    Watch this space for regular updates in the Geography category on Interesting Facts.

    Related articles:

    • East London: 12 Interesting Facts You Might Not Have Known
    • Stellenbosch: 10 Interesting Facts You Might Not Have Known
    • The DRC: 10 Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know
    • Morocco: 10 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    Craving fresh facts in your Inbox? Get Factual! Subscribe To Our Newsletter.

    Feel free to explore our website.

    NetfloristOfferforge

    Looking for a gift for that special person in your life? Check out Netflorist.co.za, South Africa's top online florist and gift service. They offer flowers, gifts, and hampers for all occasions AND reliable nationwide delivery.

    Latest News

    Loading posts...
    Countries New Zealand
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleChile: 10 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know
    Next Article OR Tambo International Airport: 10 Facts You Might Not Know
    Henno Kruger
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • Instagram

    Founder and owner of Running Wolf's Rant, Interesting Facts and SA Music Zone.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Leigh Avenue
    Categories
    More Geography Facts
    Bridgetown Barbados
    March 30, 2024

    Barbados: 26 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    36 Views6 Mins Read
    Rustenburg
    November 26, 2023

    Rustenburg: 12 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    636 Views3 Mins Read
    Montgomery - Alabama
    February 25, 2024

    Alabama: 22 Interesting Facts About The Yellowhammer State

    167 Views6 Mins Read
    Rio De Janeiro - Brazil
    January 5, 2025

    Brazil: 20 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    183 Views4 Mins Read
    More Facts
    Futurama
    April 16, 2024

    Futurama (TV Show): 20 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    35 Views5 Mins Read
    2010 FIFA World Cup
    August 27, 2022

    The 2010 FIFA World Cup: 20 Interesting Facts

    1,362 Views5 Mins Read
    The Gautrain
    May 16, 2024

    The Gautrain: 15 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    356 Views3 Mins Read
    Royal Blood
    May 20, 2024

    Royal Blood: 22 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    159 Views8 Mins Read
    NetfloristOfferforge
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
    Recent Comments
    • Henno Kruger on Finland: 32 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know
    • F on Finland: 32 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know
    • David Devo Oosthuizen on Celeste Swift: 10 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter

    Let's Get factual!

    Get fresh facts via email

    Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram TikTok
    © 2025 Interesting Facts - Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.