Looking for some New Zealand trivia before heading there? Stick with us and we’ll tell you everything in this post!
You probably already know that New Zealand is among the most beautiful countries in the world and is one of the favorites of those who want to embark on a road trip and/or play in adventure sports! And in fact, it’s all that and a little more!
But the great truth is that many of us don’t know the curious facts or even cultural aspects of New Zealand. It is a country still relatively little visited and publicized in the media.
Because we lived there for almost 2 years, we traveled the country from north to south living in a campervan and discovered many curiosities that can make your visit to New Zealand much more interesting.
Time to discover the land of kiwis! Check out the 19 facts about New Zealand:
1. It is the first country to see the sunrise.
Technically, Samoa (in Polynesia) is the first country to welcome the new day, but thanks to the curvature of the Earth, the city in the North Island of New Zealand, is the first to see a real sunrise!
For this reason, the city is perfect for enjoying an unforgettable sunrise in any of its coastal regions. See the sun rise over the horizon before anyone else in New Zealand!
2. Some famous filmmakers are New Zealanders.
Notable New Zealand filmmakers include director Jane winner of the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2020, for Jojo Rabbit.
And if you are a fan of the seventh art, you will be pleased to know that many popular films were filmed in the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand, such as “The Piano”, “The Hobbit”, “The Chronicles of Narnia” and the trilogy “The Lord of the Rings”.
Can you imagine how amazing to walk around the county and feel like a hobbit? It’s possible! There is a tour that takes you to see the precious set of Lord of the Rings.
3. It is covered by natural forests.
This is one of the most interesting facts about New Zealand!
The country has a lot of green space: about 30% of the territory is covered by natural forests, largely maintained by important national parks with excellent infrastructure.
One of the most beautiful places is Tiritiri Island, perfect for those who want to get to know the nature of the country and “listen to it”, as it is home to thousands of birds!
4. There are long roads, but no part of the country is so far from the sea.
Thanks to its more than 15,000 kilometers of coastline (the ninth longest in the world), the country is one of the most popular destinations for surfing and other water sports.
In addition, no region is more than 128 km from the sea. This makes it possible to ski in the morning and learn to surf in the afternoon, as the mountain and sea will never be too far apart in New Zealand! Amazing, huh?
To get to know this coast better, you can also take a boat trip with a stop for diving! For Visitor Visa Consult here
5. Pollution is virtually non-existent.
Do not believe? Then, open Google Maps and place the street view doll anywhere in the country. It’s going to be hard to find something… It’s easier to look for a needle in a haystack than some piece of rubbish on the streets of New Zealand.
The country is known worldwide as the “Green New Zealand”. In addition, you can drink water straight from the tap and fill your lungs with air without fear of contracting respiratory diseases.
One of the main reasons why there is no pollution is the lack of production factories. Also, plastic bags have been banned from supermarkets – you won’t see plastic straws and it’s trendy to have a reusable water bottle.
6. It is the least corrupt nation in the world.
This is what the Corruption Perception Index says. Having obtained 2nd place in the ranking prepared by the NGO Transparency International, in 2020, the country is an example and can teach many others around the world a lot… Like UK
New Zealand laws criminalize active and passive bribery in the public and private sectors and the penalties are severe, with offenders facing up to 14 years in prison!
There’s more: through the State Services Code of Conduct, public officials are barred from soliciting or accepting gifts. How nice it would be if it was similar around here, right?