14 Surprising Facts about New Zealand

14 Surprising Facts about New Zealand

New Zealand is a country in the Pacific Ocean marked by volcanoes and glaciation. Its capital is Wellington which is home to Te Papa Tongarewa, the expansive national museum. This country comprises of two main land masses- North Island, South Island and other 600 smaller islands around. It is situated about 1500 kilometers away from Australia across the Tasman Sea. New Zealand’s largest city is Auckland. There are various ethnic groups like European, Māori, Asian, Pacific people, African and a few other races. The official languages spoken in New Zealand are English, Māori, New Zealand sign language with English being the dominant one. Following are a few surprising facts about New Zealand.

1. New Zealand used to be governed as a part of territory of New South Wales and then later of Australia.
2. It has two national anthems of equal standing. One is ‘God Save the Queens’ and another is ‘God Defend New Zealand’.
3. People of New Zealand are also known as Kiwis. This is not because of the fruit but because Kiwi was the native flightless bird of New Zealand.
4. It was the first nation to have equal universal suffrage. In 1893, all the males and females were allowed to vote.
5. In order to become a member of New Zealand, one needs to swear the oath to be loyal to the Queen Elizabeth.
6. In New Zealand, one must drive on the left side of the road.
7. The Auckland City Sky tower is about 328 meters tall which is the tallest freestanding structure in the southern hemisphere.
8. New Zealand is known for its indigenous people who are the descendants of a Polynesian explorer who settled in Pacific Ocean about 1000 years ago.
9. It is the least corrupted nation according to the corruptions perception index.
10. It is home to the wold’s smallest dolphin species.
11. Blue lake in New Zealand has the clearest water in the world.
12. Bungee jumping first began in New Zealand.
13. The first man to climb up the mount Everest was a Kiwi (native New Zealand)
14. It is a home to more species of penguin than any other place.

 

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