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| New Zealand is a fascinating country with a unique heritage derived from a multitude of cultural influences. While its national culture espouses a relaxed attitude with a focus on quality of life, the kiwi “can do” attitude is responsible for a number of world firsts in science, human rights and a myriad of other areas. |
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- New Zealand is extremely mountainous, with Mount Cook towering over 12,000 feet
- New Zealand began its independent life in 1852 as a regulated welfare state, and remained so until 1984 when it moved more into a market economy
- New Zealand is also the only country that contains every type of climate in the world
- New Zealand contains more bookstores and golf courses per head of population than any other country
- New Zealand has famous historical figures:
- In 1953 New Zealander Sir Edmund Hilary was the first man to scale Mt. Everest
- Ernest Rutherford, known as the "father of nuclear physics", and his colleagues were the first to split the atom
- Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, one of the world's leading operatic sopranos
- A.J. Hackett, broke the world record for a bungy jump from a building after hurling himself from Auckland's Sky Tower (180 meters), in October 1998
- New Zealand has unique flora and fauna:
- The kiwi is the only known bird in the world to have its nostrils at the tip of its bill instead of the base
- The flightless Kakapo has the face and beak of an owl but is a relation of the parrot
- The Tuatara is the world's oldest living reptile
- The Mount Cook Lily is the world’s largest buttercup
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| New Zealand was the first country in the world to: |
- give women the right to vote
- adopt the eight hour working day
- operate a tourist board
- introduce the retirement pension
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| New Zealanders invented: |
- jetboat propulsion
- stamp vending machine
- wide-toothed shearing comb
- the bobby pin
- the electric fence
- bungy jumping
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