10 Facts You Didn’t Know About New Zealand
New Zealand is a beautiful country known for its stunning landscapes, diverse beauty, and, let’s be honest, Lord of the Rings.
However, there is more to New Zealand than meets the eye - including some weird and wonderful facts that some of the locals haven’t even heard of.
Have a read of this article and see how many of these facts you didn’t know!
1. Wellington is the southernmost capital in the world
Located on the southern-western tip of the North Island at a latitude of -41.28, Wellington is officially the southernmost capital in the world (and, coincidentally, also the windiest!)
To put it in perspective, Canberra is the second, with its latitude at -35.28.
2. New Zealand has a town with the longest place name in the world
New Zealand and Wales have been battling out this Guiness World Book of Records title for years, but as of this publication, New Zealand officially holds the title.
In Porangahau, located in the Hawkes Bay region in the North Island, there is a 1,000 foot hill named after Tamatea, a legendary Maori explorer. The name? Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu.
Literally translated, its name in English means “the summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the slider, climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his nose flute to his loved one.”
3. New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the vote
On 19 September, 1893, New Zealand became the first country in the world to give women the vote.
Kate Sheppard, one of New Zealand’s most prominent members of the suffrage movement, was officially recognised in 1991 when her face replaced Queen Elizabeth II on the $10 note.
4. New Zealand has three official languages
This is a fact that surprises many travellers (and locals).
In addition to English and Māori, New Zealand Sign Language is also an official language, becoming an official language of New Zealand in 2006.
5. New Zealand is named after a Dutch province called Zeeland
New Zealand was named’ Nieuw Zeeland’ after it was sighted by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1642. Translating to ‘New Sea-land’, when British explorer Captain Cook travelled to New Zealand about 100 years or so later, he Anglicized the version given by Abel Tasman.
6. Dunedin has the steepest street in the world
Baldwin Street in Dunedin is somewhat of a household name, drawing international and local attention alike.
With a 35 percent gradient rising from 30m to 100m, this is one street where you really want to make sure that your car handbrake works!
7. New Zealand was the last country in the world to be inhabited by humans
Due to the isolated location of New Zealand, it was the last habitable land on earth to be inhabited by humans.
Between about 1280 and 1350 Polynesians began to settle in the islands, before developing a distinctive Māori culture.
When you think about it, that was only roughly 700 years ago - making the ancient places of Rome and Persia look really ancient.
8. Kiwifruits aren’t from New Zealand
In the rest of the world, kiwifruits are simply called ‘kiwi’. To us, the word ‘kiwi’ relates to our national icon and endangered bird, or a person from New Zealand (as we like to refer to ourselves).
What many people don’t realise is that kiwifruits aren’t actually from here. In fact, originally called the Chinese Gooseberry, seeds were brought here from China in the early 1900s.
In the 1950’s at the height of the Cold War, New Zealand began exporting the Chinese Gooseberries to the USA, which proved a marketing nightmare.
Hence, the term ‘kiwifruit’ was born.
9. New Zealand has an official wizard
Ian Brackenbury Channell, otherwise known as The Wizard of New Zealand, is a politician, comedian, educator, and magician.
In the 1970’s, Ian migrated to Christchurch and began to speak on a ladder in the popular Cathedral Square.
Despite numerous attempts by police to arrest him, he became so popular that they made the square a public speaking area.
In 1990, he was made the official ‘Wizard of New Zealand’ by then Prime Minister Mike Moore, and in 2009 was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for service to the community.
10. New Zealand is one of only two countries in the world that is allowed Direct to Consumer Advertising (DTCA)
Direct To Consumer Advertising is the advertising of branded prescription-only medicines or treatments to consumers.
For example, adverts on television advertising the latest hayfever medication, or bus billboards advertising a new asthma medication creates a strong marketing effect where people believe that the medication they’re on is ‘inferior’ to those advertised, causing somewhat of a nightmare for local GP’s.
Besides the United States, New Zealand is the only country in the world where this is legal.
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