Kiwi on Stewart Island | New Zealand wildlife
Swimming with dolphins | New Zealand wildlife
Gannet colony | New Zealand wildlife
Kiwi on Stewart Island | New Zealand wildlife
Swimming with dolphins | New Zealand wildlife
Gannet colony | New Zealand wildlife

10 quirky facts about New Zealand

Be captivated by New Zealand, a place with friendly locals, a diverse range of landscapes and scenery, pure natural beauty, and unique wildlife. New Zealand is approximately 10% larger than the United Kingdom with a coastline that is about 15,000 kilometres in length. This laid-back country is filled with surprises, including the town with the longest name in the world. Are you ready to uncover the quirky side of New Zealand?

Did you know?

1. The steepest residential street in the world can be found in New Zealand.

Located on the South Island in Dunedin. With a 38 degree slope, the street is called Baldwin Street.

2. The Royal albatross - toroa is found in New Zealand.

It is one of the largest seabirds in the world. Their wingspan can grow upwards to an impressive three metres.

The best time to spot albatross is from mid-September to mid-November

3. New Zealand is the ‘home’ of bungy jumping.

A.J. Hackett founded the first-ever commercial bungy jump location at Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge in Queenstown.

4. Aotearoa is the Maori name of New Zealand.

Aotearoa can be translated as ‘The land of the long white cloud’.

And the town with the longest name in the world is called:

Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu.

The Māori culture is an integral part of life in New Zealand
© Pixabay | Davyb
Queenstown is the home of adventure

5. New Zealand is the first country in the world to see the sunrise.

If you want to be the first, head to the small surf town of Gisborne on the North Island’s East Cape.

6. New Zealand has more sheep than people

For every person living in New Zealand, there are at least 10 sheep!

Seal on the beach at Otago Peninsula | New Zealand wildlife
Watch the first sunrise in Gisborne
Sheep in the Glenorchy Mountains | New Zealand holiday
As of June 2021, there were approximately 26 million sheep in New Zealand

7. Bats are the only native land mammals found in New Zealand.

All the other mammals were introduced by Maoris and Europeans.

8. New Zealand is home to a controversial bra fence.

World-famous it is known as The Cardrona bra fence. It started back in 1999 and is now a quirky tourist attraction in Central Otago.

Between 1998 and 1999, people began to attach bras to a rural fence!

9. Wellington is the southernmost capital in the entire world.

A compact city that is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. It is also known by locals as the 'windy city'.

10. New Zealand was the last country on the planet to be inhabited by humans

The history of New Zealand dates back only a few hundred years, the first arrival was the Maori.

Stunning landscape Wanaka region | New Zealand nature
New Zealand is a natural wonderland
Cable car Wellington | New Zealand holiday
Uncover the local gems in Wellington

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Discover a world beyond ordinary

At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.