Top Facts about New Zealand
Fascinating things every traveller should know!

• New Zealand was the first major nation to allow women the right to vote. This act was passed in 1893, that’s 25 years before England!
  
  
• New Zealand has won the most Olympic gold medals, per capita, of all participating countries. Now that’s sporting talent…
  
  
• Both the Bungee jump and Zorbing were created in New Zealand – it really is the perfect destination for all extreme sports enthusiasts!
  
  
• Queen Elizabeth II continues to be the reigning monarch of New Zealand despite the fact that it gained independence from Britain in 1907.
  
  
• The All Blacks, New Zealand’s national rugby team, can officially be considered the finest in the world; they’ve won 73% of their test matches over the years!
  
  
• The Maori name of New Zealand is Aoteroa, which literally means "Land of the Long White Cloud".
  
  
• New Zealand strongly opposed the war in Iraq in 2003 and the tactics of the ‘War on Terror’, a stance which has put it at odds with the USA.
  
  
• Ninety-Mile Beach, on the north-west of North Island, is in fact only 65 miles long. The beauty of the white sand and crystal clear waters make up for the missing 25 miles though!
  
  
• Roughly speaking, New Zealand is a little smaller than Italy, and a little bigger than the UK!
  
  
• With around 4 million inhabitants, New Zealand is one of the least crowded countries in the world, making it a perfect holiday haven.
  
  
• 22% of New Zealand residents are from overseas, most coming from Asia and the Pacific Islands, comparing to just 8% in the UK.
  
  
• Every traveller who visits New Zealand finds it impossible to leave; most ultimately declaring themselves converted Kiwis and double the length of their stay. Fact!