New Zealand's Top Five Festivals

Author: Tony Maniscalco

Source: ezinearticles.com



New Zealand walking holidays up are suitable for all seasons, every month throwing different scenery into the mix. But it's not just New Zealand's scenery that changes on a seasonal basis; the country also has some vibrant and off-beat festivals that change with the seasons. Here are our top five:

Wildfoods Festival

Have you got an uncontrollable urge to snack on writhing witchetty grubs, or eat a blackened sheep's tail? If so you should arrange your New Zealand walking holiday for the month of March, when the Wildfoods Festival is in full swing in Hokitika. During the day you can dine on worm sushi and crunch on deep-fried grasshopper before joining the locals in a wild dance in the evening at Cass Square. All the unique food comes fresh from New Zealand's West Coast and all the produce is local. However, if you're of a sensitive disposition you might want to stick to the national dish of hangi-cooked roast lamb and vegetables.

Shepherd's Shemozzle

When walking New Zealand you can't fail to notice the sheer number of sheep. The country has around 9 sheep to every 1 human; but, in a country full of sheep, where are all the shepherds? Come October, they're all in Hunterville taking part in the annual Shepherd's Shemozzle. The Shepherd's Shemozzle is a race run by locals, but until the day of the event the locals don't know what's expected of them. Last year's event saw locals competing to eat dried weetabix and bull's testicles; could we be sensing a theme to New Zealand's festivals?

Englefield Bathtub Derby

Taking to the streets whilst lying in your bathtub might be your biggest nightmare, but in New Zealand it's just another of their bizarre festivals. In November, on Takapuna Bay, a fleet of unusually decorated bath-tubs takes to the water in a whole host of different shapes and designs. There are three separate races that entrants can compete in; a motorised boat race, a sail boat race or a pedal and paddle boat race. In the evening, there's a barbecue on the beach and a series of games like beach volleyball that will appeal to the whole family.

Matariki Festival

When you're walking New Zealand in June you'll probably come across the Maori New Year celebrations. The Matariki Festival in Auckland is a month of celebrations based on Maori culture and heritage. Events that guests might come across include traditional dance, exhibitions and tree-planting ceremonies.

Matariki occurs when the seven sisters are spotted and the first new moon is sighted, so the dates can change on an annual basis. However, the usual dates are from mid-June to the beginning of July.

Queenstown Winter Festival

When walking New Zealand's Queenstown, you'll notice a hubbub of culture, sophistication and the arts; that is unless you visit the city during the annual Winter Festival in July. At this time of the year the locals celebrate with a host of wacky events from frisbee tournaments to the dog derby, where farmers and their dogs are required to slide down the snow on their bottoms. Lake swimming in freezing waters is a test of strength for the locals and the festival culminates in some serious partying. If you've also always wanted to take a hot-air balloon flight then the festival is the place to experience this.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

New Zealand Walking - Seeing Things As They Are

Author: Tony Maniscalco

Source: ezinearticles.com



Few would dispute that New Zealand offers a unique and beautiful countryside coupled with a fascinating history and culture. One of the ways to best see it is through a New Zealand walking holiday.

What's there to see?

New Zealand is often described in terms of its two main islands. Many areas of the North Island have a distinctive 'Pacific Island' feel with beautiful beaches, luscious flora and a volcanic appearance to much of the countryside. It is home to the bulk of New Zealand's population and is proud of its multi-cultural status, and has a strong Maori legacy and presence. Auckland and Wellington are two major cities well worth exploring, as is Napier. Rotorua is world-famous for its geysers, hot steam vents and bubbling mud pools. The Bay of Islands contains marvellous opportunities for exploring the multitude of islets and sandy coves. Not to be missed also is the Tongariro National Park which contains stunning scenery.

The South Island is different! Much more sparsely populated, the island contains a vast range of natural spectacles including mountains, glaciers and fjords. It is home to the Southern Alps and some of the world's most breathtaking views of mountains, lakes and coastlines. The largest town is Christchurch and other major attractions include Mount Cook with its alpine scenery; Te Anau with its fjords; Queenstown with its scenery and adventure leisure opportunities; and the Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers. It's also an ideal opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife; including exotic birds such as the Albatross; and around the coastal areas, whales, dolphins and seals.

Both the North and South Islands received rave reviews for their stunning scenery when it was seen around the globe as the backdrop to the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. All these attractions are just a tiny sample of what a New Zealand walking holiday may be able to help you explore.

Why take a New Zealand walking holiday?

New Zealand is a beautiful country that has worked hard to keep its natural grandeur intact.

There are vast areas of nature that are relatively undeveloped and unspoilt by large-scale human encroachment. In some cases the only way to reach these magnificent sights is on foot. In other instances, you'll be more likely to appreciate the locations 'in context' if you've walked to them. New Zealand walking holidays in general are also becoming more popular for environmental reasons; and if you need yet more convincing, they may also be better for your general health!

How does the holiday work?

A New Zealand walking holiday is fully guided by a tour leader that is an expert in the route and the attractions as well as the local history and culture. They are constructed for those with only a moderate degree of fitness and walking ability. It is a carefully and expertly crafted holiday experience and not a forced route march - so no need to worry if you don't come into the 'superfit' category! Each guided walk is carefully planned to ensure that it is not overly demanding and that it concludes each day with the opportunity to relax and unwind in excellent accommodation. You can sample the excellent local cuisines while you reflect upon the sights you've seen during the day.

The holidays offer a variety of choices. So you may wish to be based in a single centre or to vary between different locations. You can decide to explore only one of the major islands or spend time or both. That is one of the major attractions of a New Zealand walking holiday - you can select an option that suits your interests and then with the help of your tour guide, follow it. It really can be a different and more satisfying sort of holiday.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Caution When Shopping For New Zealand Gifts

Author: David A King

Source: ezinearticles.com



Beware of the Asian invasion when it comes to the design, making and selling of New Zealand gifts. Many of the so called "New Zealand Gift shops" are full of NZ designs copied and made in Asia. There was a recent article in the New Zealand Herald that was written by a Chinese man who was visiting New Zealand for the first time who was appalled at the Asian organized tourism which directed him and other overseas visitors into Asian owned hotels onto Asian transport and into New Zealand gift shops that were full of Asian produced counterfeit stock. He wanted to experience New Zealand, share time with its people and buy gifts that where truly New Zealand made items,

There is a risk that some areas of New Zealand have lost their Kiwi identity with central Auckland being one of the worst hit. There are pockets of old New Zealand shopping left in and around Auckland. Devonport is a good example with its historic buildings and originality and being only a short ferry ride from downtown Auckland it is worth a visit. Some of the suburbs are still true to their kiwi identity and offer an insight into the kiwi culture and Orewa, Warkworth Titirangi, and Pukekohe are good examples.

Try to hunt out the true kiwi gift shops before parting with your money a good example is Gecko Unique Gifts of New Zealand who have shops in Devonport and Orewa and a very good web site, They have history and specialize in New Zealand gifts and where possible always stock New Zealand made or designed product. If you plan to visit New Zealand take care to identify businesses that are genuine Kiwi and take home a truly New Zealand made gift for family and friends back home. When you do so you also help develop the New Zealand eco tourism by reducing our carbon footprint and the worlds land fill.

Gecko Unque Gifts of New Zealand have a wide range of New Zealand made and designed gifts for your selection. We have Jewellery by Boh Runga and others, Possum Merino wool garments by Koru, Ceramics and Kauri wood items by New Zealand artists, and heaps more.
Have a look at our wide range at http://www.geckogifts.co.nz

Cheap Flights to New Zealand

Author: Dean Sawyer

Source: ezinearticles.com



Of all the major attractions around the world, New Zealand is one of the most visited destinations. It is a gorgeous holiday place that offers a lot of surfing and skiing venues. It is also one of the biggest islands in the world. This is exactly the reason why many people are attracted to New Zealand and its major attractions. With the growth in its Tourism industry, cheap flights to New Zealand are now being availed by most vacationers and business travelers.

For those who wish to visit New Zealand, you can check out different airfare packages online. Browse through the net for airline companies and travel agencies that offer discounts and promos. If you plan to visit New Zealand's North Territory, it offers a tropical setting and wonderful attractions. In this area, many online airline websites can offer a three-night stay in a hotel packaged with cheap flights to New Zealand. Most of the time, even airport-hotel shuttle services are included in the package. If you want to avail of the tours offered by the hotels, you can always work this out with your travel agent.

Through online bookings, you can find the best airfare discounts, travel packages, coupons and other exciting deals. Some of the huge airlines that offer great packages are Thai Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Virgin Atlantic. You can also check with Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, South African Airways and Air New Zealand. Other airlines that offer cheap flights to New Zealand are Qantas, Emirates, Brunei Air, Lan, Jet Star, Air Canada, Air Tahiti Nui, Lufthansa and more.

Another alternative to reaching this country, aside from finding luxury or cheap flights to New Zealand is to avail of cruising escapades. In fact, cruising through New Zealand is considered a time-honored tradition. Locals believe this is how their ancestors and early ancestors discovered this wonderful country. You'll definitely love the 2 main islands of New Zealand which offer more than 15,000 km. of coastline.

New Zealand also has 9 main ports. This includes the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Rotorua and Tauranga as well as Picton, Port Chalmers and Picton. Other ways to enjoy New Zealand are via guided tours, group tours and independent tours.

To ensure a hassle-free trip to New Zealand, your passport should be valid for 3 months way beyond your intended date of departure. It shouldn't be excessively worn, defaced and damaged. You won't be required to get a residence permit or visa if you're a New Zealand citizen or resident permit holder; an Australian citizen with an Australian passport; an Australian resident with an Australian resident return visa; a British citizen or British passport holder; a New Zealand citizen with a visa waiver agreement.

Visit our site to learn how to get Cheap Flights To New Zealand and to any destination you want at http://www.Cheapest-Flight-Tickets.com.

Wildlife Holidays in New Zealand

Author: Isabella Olsen

Source: ezinearticles.com



New Zealand is a country surrounded by lush and beautiful scenery, the very reason why Peter Jackson chose it as the location for the famous Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. It has the distinction of being the last land mass on earth to be discovered, as well. Because of this, New Zealand has many amazing wildlife species, some of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Indeed, it is a great idea to spend wildlife holidays in New Zealand and enjoy many fun and unique ways of exploring and interacting with nature.

One of the most popular wildlife activities in New Zealand is bird watching. After all, before it was discovered, New Zealand was a land of birds, with only bats for mammal inhabitants. Today, it is still home to hundreds of species of birds, both flightless and capable of flight, as well as several migratory seabirds which are protected and can be viewed at various sanctuaries, zoos and bird parks.

Aside from bird watching, whale watching is also a popular part of wildlife holidays in New Zealand. Sperm whales, the largest of the toothed whales, can be seen all year round off the coast of Kaikoura while the smaller killer whales can be spotted from December to March and humpback whales can be seen in the months of June and July. According to experts, whales frequent the waters of New Zealand because of its deep underwater canyons and the right temperature of its currents.

There are opportunities for seal and penguin encounters, as well. Fur seal colonies are especially common on the rocky coastline of the South Island, or at Castlepoint and Cape Palliser on the North Island, although elephant seals and leopard seals have been known to come ashore, too. Little blue penguins or kororas, on the other hand, which are the world's smallest penguins, can be seen at Akaroa Harbour and Oamaru, while the rare yellow-eyed penguin or hoiho can be found on the Otago peninsula.

Swimming with dolphins is another popular wildlife activity, and is, in fact, one of the top-rated tourist activities in New Zealand, so make sure you try it during your wildlife holidays in New Zealand. Many consider this a privilege, as well, since dolphins are intelligent yet gentle creatures. There are many dolphin species in New Zealand, including the common dolphin, the bottle-nosed dolphin, the playful dusky dolphin and the Hector's dolphin, one of the rarest and smallest dolphin species in the world, which is exclusive to the waters of New Zealand.

Exploring the underwater wildlife in the network of marine reserves around New Zealand is recommended, too. These reserves consist of dive wrecks, kelp forests and sub-tropical reefs, all of which provide sanctuaries for hundreds of schools of fish. The most popular reserve is the Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve, which was also named by the legendary diver Jacques Costeau as one of the five best diving locations in the world.

There are also several places in New Zealand that offer an opportunity to go shark cage diving. After all, sharks frequent the New Zealand waters, too. The mako shark and the blue shark are the most common shark species in New Zealand, although the fearsome great white shark can also be found lingering in the Bay of Plenty, along with the giant stingray.

There are many excellent zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks to visit, too, such as the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, the Orana Wildlife Park, the Wellington Zoo and the Seahorse World Aquarium. Some of them even offer a chance to feed and pet the animals. After all, the purpose of these establishments is not just to persuade tourists to spend wildlife holidays in New Zealand, but more importantly, to help everyone understand and care for animals all over the world.

Isabella Olsen is a writer for various travel magazines who also writes about cheap car rental worldwide. To book your car rental in New Zealand, visit Zencarhire.com.

Landscape Photography: A New Zealand Guide

Author: Kirill Kruger

Source: ezinearticles.com



New Zealand is a beautiful country and a dream location for any photographer. Capturing awe-inspiring and beautiful landscape images is not hard while travelling in New Zealand, but with a few tips an everyday photographer can produce some truly stunning images.

New Zealand's landscapes can change immensely from one region to the next. It is best to choose your travel route based on what kind of scenery you wish to capture. When planning your travel through New Zealand the first issue to consider is what island you wish to visit. The landscapes of the North and South island can be vastly different.

The North Island is smoother and generally less dramatic than the South Island. The North Island is filled with an abundance of rolling green hills, forested mountains, and abundant beaches. The Northland region is a picturesque example of such characteristic New Zealand geography. The area is best seen by following the Twin Coast Discovery Highway, north of Auckland. The route will take you near the Bay of Islands and Goat Island, both of which are amazing scenes for anyone interested in sea-side and beach photography. The road can lead to the tip of New Zealand at Cape Reinga, which provides visitors with exciting opportunities to photograph towering sand dunes and the clash of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It is possible to take successful and dramatic photos of the entire Northland region even in bad weather, with the strong geographic features of the area holding their own unique presence on overcast or rainy days.

Outside of the Northland, the East Cape of the North Island is perhaps one of the most picturesque areas of New Zealand. The region is best experienced by taking the Eastland section of the Pacific Coast Highway. The drive can be seen as a compressed photographic tour of New Zealand, featuring rocky outcrop beaches, smooth and expansive sand beaches, smooth rolling mountains, jagged snow peaked mountains, small towns, cities, farms, forests, along with the longest wharf in the southern hemisphere.

For some, the South Island can be a better photographic travel destination than the North, as it is much more dramatic and varied, but the weather and travel times will require more patience and commitment from the individual. It is perhaps easiest to think of the South Island as a few distinct areas, with different characteristics and photography styles.

The North side of the Island is filled with beaches, coves and sounds. The weather is also much more favorable, generally being some of the sunniest in New Zealand, making it perfect for sunset and sunrise shots by the water.

The East coast of the South Island is very dramatic, starting with the sheer rock faces and rocky beaches of Kaikora, to the perfectly round isolated boulders of Moeraki. As with the Northland of the North Island, it is possible to take powerful photos of the East coast in bad weather, with powerful storm clouds often complementing the jagged features of the terrain.

Turning West at any point on the East coast will bring you into the middle of the South Island's Southern Alps. This area is blessed with extremely tall snow peaked mountains, and subsequently breath taking views. It is advised to take a polarization filter for your camera, and wait for particularly clear weather, as the areas appeal often lies in the expansive landscapes.

The West Coast is more subdued than the East coast with terrain that is more reminiscent of the North Island. But the area also features the world famous Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier, where one can see a wall of ice pushing straight into a native rainforest.

New Zealand is full of beautiful landscape opportunities. Free NZ Photos is a continuously updated and expanded New Zealand Photo Gallery, with images free for private and comercial use.

New Zealand, the Land of the Long White Cloud

Author: Ashley Gilmour

Source: ezinearticles.com



On a list of the worlds most beautiful countries New Zealand must be at the very top of the list. The countries breathtaking scenery has delighted and enthralled visitors for many years especially its mountains, scenic coastlines and glorious rain forests.

New Zealand's size can be compared to the size of the United Kingdom or Japan but with a much smaller population of just 4 million people, making it one of the world's least populated countries. Its climate remains mostly the same and only suffers small changes on a year to year basis, making it a fabulous destination for a holiday all year round.

New Zealand's history traces back to its first settler s the Maori, these settlers made an epic journey of over 1000 miles from Hawaiki. One of the first ever explorers to discover the Island was called Kupe and named the islands 'Aotearoa'. This translates to Land of the Long White Cloud.

In 1840 the country of New Zealand was formed with a declaration signed by both Maori tribal leaders and members of the British Crown. This document was signed in Waitangi in the bay of islands. Later named the treaty of Waitangi this event turned Waitangi into one of New Zealand's most historical sites and a national holiday each year is given called the Waitangi day.

New Zealandis one of the most wonderful tourist destinations and has invested greatly in ensuring visitors receive the best holiday experience possible during their New Zealand holidays. Throughout the country you can find Isite offices which are the national tourist information service. In each of these centres you can find expert local travel experts who will do their utmost to inform you and enlighten you on the best local places to visit. Another great service offered by New Zealand is its tourist FM Radio, this radio station provides information for travelling visitors about local attractions to visit twenty four hours per day.

Throughout New Zealand you will no doubt find the national emblem of a Kiwi bird everywhere. This flightless bird has a long beak and feathers that are almost hair like are nocturnal and can only be seen at night. There are many 'Kiwi Houses' where you can view these birds that are only found in New Zealand under special nocturnal lights. New Zealanders are affectionately known themselves as Kiwis and also the national New Zealand dollar is nicknamed the Kiwi.

This article was written by Ashley Gilmour on behalf of Qantas Holidays who are a travel provider of Holidays to Australia and also have a large selection of New Zealand holidays

Self Drive Tour of New Zealand - See More of the Country

Author: Libby Fletcher

Source: ezinearticles.com



Many people travelling to New Zealand want to see and do as much as they can while they are here. Since the country is small, it's not hard to make your way around the entirety of both islands if you have a few weeks to spare, but you have to plan accordingly. One of the best ways to enjoy the country for all it has to offer is to take a self drive tour of New Zealand. This tour will allow you to go where you want, whenever you want, and do as you please while on holiday in New Zealand.

A self drive tour of New Zealand gives you the chance to pick where you want to go and how you want to get there. You can find travel specialists in New Zealand who are experts at combining your interests, time schedule and budget into what will be a thoroughly enjoyable self drive holiday around New Zealand. Even if you have no idea about where you can go in New Zealand, your travel specialist will be able to present you with a wide range of itineraries and tailor them to your individual preference.

There is so much to see and do in New Zealand, and depending on your time schedule, a driving tour of the country might not allow you to see it all. However, when you do choose a self drive tour of New Zealand, with the help of a travel itinerary specialist, you will have better odds of seeing more than you would just staying in one area. To help get you get started about some of the popular tourist locations to maybe include into a self drive tour of New Zealand, check out these regions.

Coromandel Peninsula Located on the North Island's east coast, just one and a half hours drive from Auckland, Coromandel offers golden sand beaches - particularly Hot Water Beach, fantastic warm weather, lush rainforests - a real treat if you enjoy hiking, there are a great variety of bush walks which can take a few hours to several days, fishing and scenic boat cruises are also much enjoyed in this region.

Wellington The Capital City of New Zealand, Wellington looks over a beautiful harbour and is surrounded by rolling hills. This thriving metropolis city is rich is culture, history, arts and crafts, shopping, eateries and tourism operators. You can spend a weekend alone exploring Te Papa Museum - a definite must see for absolutely everyone, another good day trip includes a visit to some of New Zealand's endangered native birds and wildlife at Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, and if you get time book in to see a performance at the St James Theatre & Opera House.

Kaikoura Located in New Zealand's south island between Picton and Christchurch, Kaikoura overlooks beautiful coastline and is boarded by majestic mountain ranges. World famous for its whale watching tours - it is highly recommended that you book in with one of these tour operators, not only do you get to see whales up close, but you also get to view seals, dolphins and seabirds. If boat tours aren't your thing, you can also view the whales from the air with a helicopter tour.

A major advantage of using a travel specialist to help arrange a self drive tour of New Zealand is that you will learn about many other great locations like those mentioned above that you can visit and have included into your itinerary. Not to mention that accommodation, ferry passes and tour bookings can all be made in advance of your arrival, making for a stress-free holiday.

New Zealand is small and very beautiful. It's one of the few countries in the world where people still enjoy being themselves. Ultimate New Zealand's friendliness ensures that visitors memories are so special that they invariably want to come back. Ultimate New Zealand reflects NZ's individuality in all we do. We offer visitors to our country more than our competitors because we believe that your holiday should be about what you want, not what someone says you should have.

Whether it's boutique accommodation, luxury lodges, self contained accommodation or perhaps a self drive tour of New Zealand, we will put together a tailor made holiday that you'll not only enjoy, you won't want it to end.

Personalise your visit to our country with the Ultimate experience. We'll give you a holiday to remember. Enjoy a very personal, rewarding holiday in a very special country.

50 Fun Facts About New Zealand

Author: Doris Chow

Source: ezinearticles.com



New Zealand is known for their extreme sports and beautiful landscapes. But, there are also lesser known facts which are equally interesting and even intriguing. Check out these 50 fun facts about New Zealand and see how many do you know (unless you are Kiwi or New Zealand resident).

1) The Maori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, which means the land of the long white cloud.

2) New Zealand has two official national Anthems of equal standing - God Defend New Zealand and God Save the Queen.

3) Kiwi refers to New Zealand's native flightless bird and also used as a slang term for a New Zealander. Kiwis call the fruit kiwifruit, also known as Chinese Gooseberries.

4) To become a New Zealand citizen, one must swear an oath of loyalty to Queen Elizabeth.

5) The official languages are English and Maori.

6) The Treaty of Waitangi, signed on 6 February 1840, establish a British governor in New Zealand, recognised Maori ownership of their lands and other properties, and gave Maori the rights of British subjects.

7) The largest city in New Zealand is Auckland.

8) Auckland City Sky Tower is the tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere at 328 metres.

9) Wellington, the Capital City of New Zealand, is the southernmost capital city in the world.

10) It was made legal for all male and female New Zealand citizens to vote in 1893, the first major nation to have universal suffrage.

11) New Zealand is part of the Pacific Rim of Fire. Mount Ruapehu, situated in the middle of North Island, is the most active volcano on mainland.

12) You drive on the left side of the road in New Zealand, and always give way to cars on your right.

13) Three quarter of New Zealand's population live on the North Island, and one quarter of the population live in Auckland.

14) New Zealand has 6,000 kilometres of coastline and the furthest inland is only 120km from the coast.

15) The Surville Cliffs is the northernmost point in New Zealand, 3kilometre further than Cape Reinga (popularly known as the northernmost point).

16) The Slope Point is the southernmost point in New Zealand (although Bluff is more commonly known), excluding Steward Island.

17) Lake Taupo was a crater caused by the largest known eruption in the world 26,500 years ago. It is approximately the size of Singapore Island and Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia.

18) East Polynesian settlers (Maoris) arrived in New Zealand between 800 and 1300.

19) New Zealand and Australasia's highest mountain is Aoraki Mount Cook, standing at 3,754 metres.

20) 30% of New Zealand land is forest.

21) Ninety-mile beach is only 55miles long.

22) The largest glacier in New Zealand is the Tasman Glacier at 28.5km long.

23) Dunedin is home to New Zealand's oldest university, first newspaper and first botanic gardens.

24) Gisborne is the first major city in the world to see the sunrise. It is 496.3kilometres away from the International Date Line.

25) New Zealand was the first country to have its three top positions held simultaneously by women - Prime Minister Helen Clark, Governor General Dame Silvia Cartwright and Chief Justice Sian Elias.

26) The Lord of the Rings was filmed entirely in New Zealand.

27) Bungy jumping was invented by a New Zealander, A J Hackett, with the world's first site at Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown.

28) New Zealand has won more Olympic gold medals, per capita, than any other country.

29) Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealander born in Auckland, was the first man to reach Mount Everest peak. His face is now on the 5-dollar note.

30) Ernest Rutherford, known as father of nuclear physics for his orbital theory of the atom, is a New Zealand and Nobel Prize Winner.

31) New Zealand is fairly liberal that allow same-gender marriage, driving age at 15, consensual sex age at 16, drinking age at 18 (minors are allowed alcohol if accompanied by adults), prostitution and soliciting.

32) There is one birth every 8 minutes 13 seconds, and a net migration gain of one New Zealand resident every 25 minute 49 seconds.

33) New Zealand has the highest ratio of golf courses and bookshops to people than any country in the world.

34) There are 9 sheep to every 1 human in New Zealand - human population in 2010 is 4.3 million people.

35) New Zealand is one of the top 5 dairy exporters in the world.

36) New Zealand has one of the highest car ownership rates in the world, with 2.5 million cars for 4 million people.

37) There are about 14,000 earthquakes in New Zealand every year.

38) The first European who discovered New Zealand was Dutch sailor Abel Tasman in 1642.

39) English Captain James Cook arrived in 1769 and mapped the land.

40) The largest Kauri tree in the world, Tane Mahuta, is situated in the Waipoua Forest in Northland region. It is estimated to be between 1250 and 2500 years old.

41) Pohutukawa tree is the New Zealand Christmas tree, which bloom crimson red flowers for a few weeks during summer in December.

42) Moa was one of the largest birds in history, standing up to 3.6metre tall. They were hunted to extinction by the end of 1500s.

43) New Zealand houses the world's oldest reptile - Tuatara - that has been around for 200 million years.

44) The heaviest insect in the world is a New Zealand native - Weta.

45) Possums and rabbits are considered pests in New Zealand.

46) New Zealand cities are rank among the world's most livable due to the education, economic freedom and lack of corruption, etc.

47) There are no snakes in New Zealand.

48) There are no predatory animals in New Zealand before European arrival.

49) There are no nuclear power stations in New Zealand.

50) The world's steepest road is Baldwin Street at Dunedin.

Copyright 2010 Doris Chow

About the Author: Doris Chow is an blogger on http://www.FunNewZealandTravel.com. The blog shares about Doris' experiences and lessons learnt in her 3-year stay in New Zealand.