New Zealand is famous for its breathtaking natural landscapes (fjords, mountains, geothermal areas), unique wildlife, adventure sports (bungy jumping), Maori culture, rugby (All Blacks), and renowned food and wine (Sauvignon Blanc, Manuka honey, lamb, flat white coffee). Its stunning scenery also served as the filming location for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, making it "Middle-earth".
It may be missing off some maps, but here's why New Zealand should be on yours.
List of 5 Popular Things in New Zealand (Food, Culture and Activities)
Well here's 10 interesting facts for you!
If you're wondering what to buy in New Zealand, bring home a few locally loved treasures like pounamu (greenstone) jewelry, merino wool layers, manuka honey, Māori-made carvings, paua shell keepsakes, and a bottle of Marlborough wine that tastes like Aotearoa in a glass.
Yes, NZ$70,000 is considered an average to decent salary in New Zealand, hitting the national average but falling short of "comfortable" in expensive cities like Auckland, especially for families; for a single person, it's generally enough to cover basic living costs and some savings, but luxuries like frequent dining out or big travel might be tight, especially in major cities.
Kiwi, the most famous New Zealand bird
The Kiwi bird is a national icon. A rare, small and flightless nocturnal bird that can only be found in New Zealand, of course! Despite their popularity, you will have to be quite patient when attempting to spot the Kiwi.
To say "hello" in "Kiwi" (New Zealand), the most common and versatile greeting is Kia ora (pronounced kee-a OR-ah), a traditional Māori phrase that means "hello," "welcome," "thank you," or is used to wish someone well, showing respect for the local culture. You might also hear informal English greetings like "Hey," "Hi," or "G'day," but Kia ora is the quintessential New Zealand greeting.
Political and economic rankings
Ease of Doing Business Index, 2020 – 1st out of 191 countries; 1st in the sub-categories of Starting a Business and Getting Credit.
Found in caves across the country, New Zealand's bioluminescent glowworms are a true marvel. Join a guided tour for a more illuminating experience. Tours not only offer exclusive access to many of the largest glowworm habitats, but they also provide expert insights into the surprising science behind the glow.
92-day rule
You do not have to apply for a certificate of exemption from withholding tax if you come from a country that has a DTA with New Zealand and you're eligible for total New Zealand tax relief under that agreement. You must also be present in New Zealand for a total of 92 or fewer days in any 12-month period.
New Zealand has been named among the top five wealthiest countries across the globe in the Allianz Global Wealth Report.
The Buzzy Bee™ is New Zealand's most famous children's toy.
There would be few New Zealanders that don't remember playing with this charming little toy in their youth. The exact origins of Buzzy Bee remain a little unclear and several versions of its history exist.
It used to be that once someone's salary hit six digits, they would be considered highly paid. But there are now about a dozen sectors paying at least a median $100,000. Over the past 10 years, the median wage across New Zealand has risen from about $67,000 – depending how you measure it – to nearly $80,000.
Yes, roughly 80% (or around 78%) of New Zealand's land is considered uninhabited, not because it's truly barren, but due to challenging terrain like mountains, vast protected areas (National Parks), and large expanses of farmland managed by few people, causing most of the population to cluster along the coasts and in major cities like Auckland.
New Zealand is one of the most unique destinations on Earth, where scenes of sweeping, verdant landscapes and pristine wilderness abound. In addition to its endless natural attractions, New Zealand is also known for its rich culture, friendly locals, and excellent food and wine.
The best figure I can find for top 1% net worth in New Zealand is from stats NZ in 2021 and it's 3.866 million NZD for an individual or 7.59 million for a household.
To respond to "Kia ora," you can simply say "Kia ora" back, as it's a versatile greeting for hello or thanks; for more specific responses, use "Tēnā koe" (formal, to one person), "Tēnā kōrua" (to two), or "Tēnā koutou" (to many), or add "e hoa" (friend) for informality, or respond to thanks with "Kei te pai" (All good/I'm good).
Kiwis are exceptionally agreeable, so even when they want to disagree with you, they'll throw in a "yeah" as well. Basically, "yeah, nah" is a non-committal way of saying no. As in: "Do you want to go for a hike this weekend?" "Yeah, nah, I'll think about it ay."
Chur The meaning of chur is essentially thank you. You can use this classic Kiwi slang to show gratitude or appreciation. As explained above, it can also mean "sweet as" or "that's awesome".
1. Hector's Dolphin – Found Nowhere Else but New Zealand's Coastline. The world's smallest species of dolphin, Hector's dolphin, is native to New Zealand and often spotted gliding through the waves off the South Island.
Top 8 Best Selling Products in New Zealand
New Zealand's primary industries include dairy, beef and sheep, forestry, horticulture, pork, seafood, aquaculture, winegrowing, rural contracting and plant production. They account for most of our exports and are key to our economic growth.