New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
North Island
South Island

Think you know New Zealand? Think again! Here are 5 crazy facts about the country that will definitely surprise you!

1. Christchurch used to have a local wizard!

There's no denying New Zealand is a magical place, and that's not just because it was the set of Lord of the Rings! In 1982, Christchurch actually appointed an official wizard to rule over the city! His job was to cast spells (obviously), cheer up the population and cast out evil spirits.

2.  New Zealand is one steeeeeeeeeep country

In fact, you'll find the steepest street in the world in Dunedin! It's Baldwin Street with a gradient of 1 in 2.86 (that means for every 2.86 m you will walk there will be a rise of 1 m). The people of Dunedin make the most of this, and hold a Jaffa Race each year. It's just what it sounds like - people take part in rolling a Jaffa Lolly down the hill!

3. They're living in the future.

Sort of. New Zealand's East Cape is situated just under 500km from the international dateline, meaning they're the first country in the world to see a new day. Wow!

4. There's a place with a name that's 89 letters long.

Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu. Yep, it's real! It's a hill near Porangahau in southern Hawke's Bay.

5. There's a bird that eats cars.

Well ok, they don't eat the WHOLE thing. The native kia bird is known for pulling windscreen wipers off cars and eating the strips of rubber from windows! Yum?

The Emerald Lakes seen from the Red Crater. This is about half way on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of the most impressive walks in New Zealand.

Did any of these surprise you? Number 4 is pretty crazy... 

AUTHOR PROFILE
Ruby Syme

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

5 redenen om Nieuw-Zeeland niet te bezoeken

Translated by Simone Benneker. 1. Je loopt het risico om in een Hobbit te veranderen Je hebt de kans om de Hobbiton film set te bezoeken van de beroemde Lord of the Rings trilogie en Hobbit films. En OMG, het is het schattigste wat je ooit zal zien! Het is zelfs zo schattig, dat je […]

12 ways to survive your next long-haul flight

So you’ve booked your flights, packed your bag, charged your camera… now all that’s standing between you and your dream destination is that draining 12-hour flight. *groan* Luckily, we’re here to help! Here are 12 tricks to help make your next long-haul flight less of a nightmare. 1. Be choosey Choose your seat wisely to […]

2018's Most Instagrammable Countries

Chasing the perfect travel photo to wow your followers, family and friends? Nothing says "awesome travel adventure" better than an iconic landscape shot, epic selfie or stunning sunset pic. From Vietnam to Brazil, here are 2018's most instagrammable countries. Get your camera's ready and get snapping! 1. South Korea From glittering capital Seoul, to culture soaked […]

16 of the cheapest countries to travel

Is your growing bucket list putting pressure on your pocket? Do you want to travel but are worried about the price of accommodation, attractions and food all adding up? One of the most daunting things about travel is the cost… but it doesn’t always have to be expensive! The world is full of bargain destinations […]

7 FREE things to do in Queenstown

Welcome to the adventure capital of the world! Queenstown is tons of fun, but all those epic bungees, white water rafting trips and jet boat tours can add up. Here are 7 free activities to enjoy between each adrenaline rush. They’ll give your wallet a break and will mean you’ll be able to afford your […]

Franz Josef Heli-Hike: New Zealand’s #1 Experience?

Coming from the UK, my understanding of the word ‘hike’ is a 30 minute stroll to the nearest pub. Anything longer would be a ‘pub crawl’, so when I arrived at Franz Josef Glacier Guides for the famous Heli Hike, it would be fair to say I felt a little ill prepared. It’s funny what […]

Social Media

Accepted Payments

Members of

chevron-down