25 Fun Facts About New Zealand

Think you know New Zealand? Think again! These fun facts about New Zealand will surprise even seasoned travelers—from glowworm caves and cheeky birds to why there are way more sheep than people. Get ready to fall even more in love with this wild and wonderful country.

New Zealand is full of jaw-dropping landscapes and epic adventures—but it’s also packed with quirky surprises that make it even more lovable. Did you know it was the first country to give women the right to vote? Or that it’s home to a bird that can’t fly but loves to steal your snacks?

These interesting and fun facts about New Zealand might not be all that practical, per se. But they will definitely give you a better understanding of the country, its people and the culture. I find when we are educated about these aspects of a country, we tend to get more out of our travels.

So whether you’re planning a trip or just dreaming of one, these fun facts about New Zealand will give you a whole new appreciation for this magical little country at the bottom of the world.

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1. New Zealand is a new country

It was only 700-ish years ago that the Māori people came from the Polynesian islands to settle this remote land in the South Pacific.

So the history of this country is actually relatively short compared to many other parts of the world.

2. Here’s the truth about Māori culture

You’ll see Māori words and bits of culture all throughout the country, however, the Māori people were not always celebrated this way.

Like many other parts of the world, when white settlers entered the picture, they attempted to subdue the indigenous people already living there.

The Māori language, te reo Māori, was banned for a time, and their culture and religion suppressed.

Today, there is a focus on reviving the cultural identity, and there is a movement of young Māori people learning the language and getting traditional tattoos to celebrate their roots. However, only 24% of Māori people can speak te reo today, making it considered by many an “endangered language”.

And similar to the indigenous peoples of the United States, Māori people face higher rates of socioeconomic issues like unemployment, health problems and imprisonment.

Learning about the Māori culture is not just an interesting addition to your trip to New Zealand. It is a way to support the resurgence of a group of people who have been quieted, and a way to ensure they have a voice and a space to protect their customs.

3. Aotearoa is New Zealand’s real name

Now that you’ve seen this word, you’ll start to notice it… (pronounced ow-te-ah-row-ah)

This is the Māori name for New Zealand and it translates roughly to “the land of the long white cloud”.  

4. There really ARE sheep everywhere!

Yep, the stereotypes are true. Start driving and you’ll see sheep… Pastures of them.

There are around 27 million sheep in New Zealand, and only 4.8 million people. That works out to be around 6 sheep for every person in the country.

They SHEARLY outnumber humans.

(Sorry, couldn’t resist a sheep pun!)

5. Auckland is a cultural melting pot

Parts of New Zealand, specifically the larger cities, are very multicultural.

In fact, Auckland has the largest Polynesian population in the world (more than Polynesia itself). Maori people make up the largest minority group, followed closely by Asians.

Auckland has been named “one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world”, with the 4th highest foreign-born population.

Related Reading: Check out our list of cheap and free things to do in Auckland!

31 Fun Things to Do in Auckland, New Zealand

6. Birds are a big deal here

They’re everywhere! There are many species of birds that can only be found in New Zealand, and locals are very proud of this. So it comes as no surprise that people from New Zealand are nicknamed “Kiwis” after their national bird!

• Kiwi: This nocturnal flightless bird is the country’s icon, and is endangered, so you won’t see one unless you visit a conservation center.
• Kea: Chances are you’ll see quite a few of these green alpine parrots. They’re known for being very smart, but also a nuisance. We thought they were pretty cute, but hey, they didn’t attack our van!
• Tui: Found only in New Zealand, this small bird is known for it’s beautiful singsong call.
• Moa: An extinct bird that is depicted in brands and signs around the country. It could get as tall as 12 feet (3.6 meters), and looked a bit like an ostrich.
• Kererū: Also known as the “New Zealand Pigeon”, this bird is known for eating fermented fruit and getting drunk. Yes, seriously! You can spot this bird clumsily falling from branch to branch or flying a bit wonky. And in 2018, this was the “Bird of the Year”. That’s right, New Zealanders love birds so much that they name a “bird of the year”.

7. Kiwis (the fruit!) are a big thing too!

Unlike the bird, kiwifruits are not native to New Zealand (they’re actually from China — who knew?!), but they’re still a big deal. In fact, many young people on Working Holiday Visa spend time on kiwi farms. (Apparently it’s quite difficult work!)

Insider Tip: While you’re in New Zealand, don’t forget to try the golden kiwi! They are sweeter and have a thinner skin. While we’re on the topic of skin, you can eat it — so go ahead and take a bite!

8. New Zealand has no native mammals

Did you know there are no native mammals in New Zealand? (Well, besides 2 species of bats.) This seriously blew my mind!

Any mammals you see on your travels were introduced by settlers.

This has taken a toll on the natural environment, as many of the native birds have become threatened by creatures like possums, rats and stoats (a type of weasel).

When you’re on hikes, you may notice small traps on the side of the trail, or pellets on the ground. These are 2 of the ways conservationists are trying to combat the issue.

Scared of snakes? We have good news for you: There are NO snakes in New Zealand. Notta one!

9. The flowers are pretty but…

We were told by a naturalist that settlers to New Zealand missed the colorful flowers of their homelands. So just like they brought animals, they also brought plants.

Pretty? Yes. Good for the environment? Not always…

While there is no arguing the beauty of purple lupines in the spring, for example, they are actually an invasive species and can be detrimental to some of the native plants.

Basically any plant or flower that is not green is likely non-native to New Zealand.

10. Ferns tell a story

Ferns are a national symbol, and you’ll see them all over: on the New Zealand passport, the tourism board’s logo, souvenir keychains and shot glasses, the All Blacks uniforms, and on many-a-tattooed bicep…

So what’s the significance of the fern?

Well, for one, there are nearly 200 different types of ferns in New Zealand. But the one that you see in all the symbols is the Silver Fern.

The underside of the fronds is white, and the Māori used them for navigation at night: They would lay them on a trail, white-side up, which would reflect the moonlight and light the path for those behind them.

11. New Zealand is the first place in the world to see sunrise

For some reason, I always assumed Japan saw the sunrise first each morning — it is nicknamed “Land of the Rising Sun” after all! (Did you just learn something too?!)

But actually, New Zealand sees the sun first each morning. If you want to see the world’s first sunrise, head to the small city of Gisborne on the North Island’s East Cape.

12. Wellington is the southernmost capital in the world

Cool, huh? And it’s actually a really neat city. From the botanical gardens to lively Cuba Street to a variety of breweries and the fantastic (and free!) Te Papau Museum, it’s well worth a day or two.

We kept hearing Kiwis rave about Wellington, saying it is “vastly underrated”, and I’d say they are right.

25 Things to Do in Wellington That You Can’t Miss

13. Majority of the people live on the North Island

More than 75% of New Zealand’s population lives on the North Island, and this is where the vast majority of industry takes place. And 1.7 million of the country’s total population of 4.8 people, live in Auckland.

If you talk with kiwis outside of Auckland, you’ll quickly notice there is a stereotype of those “city folk”. We heard the term JAFA thrown around a few times, which stands for “Just Another F$cking Aucklander”. (Don’t hate on us for the profanity — just sharing what we heard!)

14. Tourism is taking a toll

The number of tourists to New Zealand has been steadily rising, and clocked in at nearly 3.8 million visitors in 2018, and these numbers are only expected to increase.

In 2019, the government will be imposing a tourist tax of $35 NZD ($23 USD) that will go to conservation and infrastructure.

Tourism contributes significantly to New Zealand’s economy and creates plenty of jobs, however, this rise in travelers is not without controversy.

The popularity of freedom camping has led to sites that are littered with rubbish and human waste. And there are sights around the county that have gained so much Insta-fame that they have been described as being “ruined by social media”. (Take Roy’s Peak, for example.)

There was even a recent scandal when a family of tourists was reportedly issued deportation notices after a string of bad behavior. So I suppose it’s understandable why not all Kiwis are thrilled with the rise in tourism.

15. LOTR is everywhere!

The Lord of the Rings movies were all filmed in New Zealand, and since their release, tourism in New Zealand skyrocketed. We read that the movie is responsible for a boost of $2 million tourist dollars.

Sure there’s Hobbiton, but you’ll also just see LOTR names and references everywhere in the country. Plus, you can actually seek out some of the shooting locations that you might recognize from the movies.

If you love the series, you’ll geek out. If not, no worries — there’s plenty more to the country than Hobbits and Dragons!

16. Manuka Honey is from New Zealand

If you look when you’re driving, you’ll start to notice hives everywhere. And you’ll see stands selling honey products in farmers markets or even on the roadside.

Renowned for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (that’s a lot of “anti”s!), Manuka honey is a popular ingredient in skincare products.

Tip: I bought a Manuka honey body butter from a farmers market. I thought it made a great (and useful) souvenir to bring home!

17. New Zealand is rocking the renewable energy game!

About 80% of the New Zealand’s power comes from renewable sources; the primary ones being hydropower and geothermal power. Cool, huh?!

That’s not all…

The country plans to transition to 100% renewable energy sources by the year 2035. This means by 2050, it’s expected that New Zealand will produce ZERO carbon emissions. Heck yes!

18. It’s a Golfers’ Paradise

Calling all golf fanatics! There are more than 400 golf courses in New Zealand, meaning it has more courses per capita than any other country in the world!

19. First country to let women vote

New Zealand was pretty ahead of its time when they granted women the right to vote back in 1893, making them the first country in the world to do so. Heck yes, New Zealand!

20. There’s a lotta earthquakes

Because of its location on two major tectonic plates, New Zealand experiences many earthquakes.

How many, you ask?

It’s estimated that there are more than 15,000 earthquakes in New Zealand each year. However, only 100 – 150 of them are big enough for people to feel.

The last major earthquake was in 2016 in the seaside town of Kaikoura. The quake measured 7.8 on the Richter scale, and destroyed many roads and buildings. Rebuilding cost a reported $1.8 billion.

21. And a lot of volcanoes too

In the Auckland area alone, there are 50 volcanic cones, most of which are extinct.

22. New Zealand has a “National Wizard”

Yep, you read that right. There’s a man who was officially appointed (in 1990) as the “National Wizard” of New Zealand. No, I’m not joking!

And if you’re wondering, no, there are no other countries in the world to have this high honor (yet).

23. The national sport isn’t what you think

While rugby (and the legendary All Blacks) often steal the spotlight, the official national sport is actually… netball!

It’s especially popular with women and is played in schools and leagues across the country. That said, rugby is still a massive part of Kiwi identity — and catching a game is a cultural experience in itself!

24. There are glowworms… and they are magical

Hidden in caves and forest canopies, tiny glowworms light up the dark like a scene from Avatar. The Waitomo Caves are the most famous place to see them, where you can float along an underground river under a twinkling ceiling.

Nature really outdid itself with these little guys — they’re pure magic.

25. The Southern Hemisphere’s clearest starry skies are in New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the best places on Earth for stargazing, especially in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. You can spot the Milky Way, the Southern Cross, and even the Magellanic Clouds with the naked eye—no telescope required.

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Plan your trip to New Zealand

We have TONS of resources on travel in New Zealand and destinations throughout the country. Check out our Ultimate New Zealand Travel Guide for all the answers to your most burning questions, and read some of our favorite articles below.

• Start with our guide to the best time to visit New Zealand so you can pick the perfect season for your adventure.
• Don’t miss these essential New Zealand travel tips — seriously, some of these will save you major headaches!
• Get inspired with our list of exciting things to do in New Zealand for first-time visitors.
• Planning your route? Our ultimate campervan trip planning guide covers everything you need to know before you hit the road.
• Trying to find the best rental? We’ve done the research for you and created a guide for the best campervan rentals in New Zealand.
• Map out an unforgettable journey with our South Island road trip itinerary.
• Exploring the North Island too? Don’t miss our North Island road trip itinerary packed with must-see spots.
• Lace up your boots and hit some of the best hikes in New Zealand — complete with local tips!
• Visiting Milford Sound? Check out our Milford Sound travel guide, including essential planning tips.

Don’t miss your chance to grab our New Zealand packing list!

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We want to hear from you!

Did anything from this list of fun facts about New Zealand surprise you? Or is there something we missed that you think should definitely be on this round-up?! Comment below!