- 1.Maori – East Polynesian settlers who came to these lands in the period from 800 to 1300 years. According to folklore, the Maori come from the Cook Islands.
- New Zealand became the first country in the world to introduce universal suffrage. This happened in 1893. Since then, men and women have been able to vote freely at all levels of the electoral process, an interesting fact.
- The lands of New Zealand were first discovered in 1642 by the Dutch sailor Abel Tasman. When his ship’s crew landed, the local tribes (Maori) attacked and managed to kill several members of the team. After that, only in 1769, the English captain James Cook, who included the country in English possessions, managed to get here – an interesting fact.
- Queen Elizabeth II is the monarch of New Zealand. Its responsibilities include ratifying laws approved by parliament.
- Interesting fact: New Zealand is one of three countries in the world with two official anthems. The first is “God save the Queen” (English national anthem), and the second is “God protect New Zealand”. Two anthems are also used in Denmark and Canada.
- New Zealand is the first country in the world where the 3 highest government positions are held by women – an interesting fact!
- Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. The city has an excellent tourist infrastructure and unusual attractions. Wellington is also the southernmost capital of the world, which is of even greater interest to tourists.
- Interesting fact: the tourism industry accounts for more than 10% of New Zealand’s economy.
- There are no nuclear power plants in the country, as the authorities have declared nuclear-free status.
- New Zealand boasts the highest quality agricultural products in the world – an interesting fact.
- There are 2.5 million cars per 4.5 million people.
- The world’s first bungee jump took place in Queenstown, New Zealand in 1988.
- Interesting fact: the five most popular sports in New Zealand: rugby, golf, netball (women’s sport, derived from basketball), football and cricket.
- The smallest species of dolphin “Hector’s Dolphin” lives only off the coast of New Zealand.
- All the films of the Lord of the Rings trilogy were shot in New Zealand – an interesting fact.
- About 56% of the population are Christians, 35% – atheists, the remaining 11% are all religious groups and beliefs.
- Interesting fact: about 70% of the population of New Zealand are of European descent, more than 14% – indigenous Maori, 16% – Asian and Polynesian peoples.
- The average age of the population is 36 years.
- Waikato is the longest river in New Zealand (425 km).
- The average life expectancy for men is 76 years, and for women – 81.
- Interesting fact: New Zealand is home to the wingless bird Kiwi.
- The name of the country means “Land of the Long White Cloud”.
- Prominent twentieth-century physicist Ernest Rutherford was born in New Zealand.
- The inhabitants of the Kingdom are the first to see the sunrise – an interesting fact.
- Mount Cook is the highest point in New Zealand. Its height is 3754 m.
- The country has been allowed to drive a car for 15 years.
- New Zealand is the world’s second largest wool producer. On average, there are 8 sheep per inhabitant, which is an interesting fact.
- According to unofficial statistics, one in five deaths is caused by smoking.
- New Zealand boasts the most liberal press in the world.
- The area of the country is comparable to Great Britain or Japan and is 268,680 km2.
- Interesting fact: more than 400 earthquakes are recorded in New Zealand every year!
- Most financial transactions are made with plastic cards. Even taxis can be paid for non-cash.
- 40% of families have only 1 child.
- New Zealand is considered very peaceful and is the safest country in the world – an interesting fact.
- More than 10% of electricity is generated geothermally from volcanic heat and 55% from hydroelectric power plants.
- The index with the longest name in the world – the name of the mountain in Maori, for brevity called Taumata is located in New Zealand.
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