1. New Zealand was one of the last major landmasses settled by humans. The Mฤori were the first to arrive, around 1300 AD, followed by Europeans in the 17th century.
2. The country is made up of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, along with over 700 smaller islands.
3. New Zealand is the first country in the world to see the sunrise each day. Due to its position just west of the International Date Line, it’s ahead in time compared to most of the world.
4. Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, is the southernmost capital city in the world.
5. In 1893, New Zealand became the first country to grant women the right to vote, leading the way in women’s suffrage.
6. The country has three official languages: English, Mฤori, and New Zealand Sign Language.
7. About one-third of New Zealand is protected national parkland and marine reserves.
8. New Zealand is home to the worldโs smallest dolphin species, the Hectorโs dolphin, and also the largest flightless parrot, the kakapo.
9. The country was the first in the world to appoint an official national wizard. Ian Brackenbury Channell was named the Wizard of New Zealand in 1990.
10. New Zealand’s biodiversity is incredibly unique, with about 80% of the flora being native. This includes the iconic silver fern.
11. The Southern Alps in New Zealand’s South Island include Aoraki Mount Cook, the highest mountain in the country.
12. Bungee jumping was commercialized in New Zealand by entrepreneur A.J. Hackett in the late 1980s.
13. The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies were filmed entirely in New Zealand, showcasing the country’s breathtaking landscapes to the world.
14. New Zealand is one of only a few countries that have two national anthems of equal standing โ “God Defend New Zealand” and “God Save the Queen”.
15. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840, is considered New Zealand’s founding document, establishing British law in the country while recognizing Mฤori ownership of their lands and properties.
16. Rugby is the national sport, with the New Zealand national rugby team, the All Blacks, being one of the most successful international teams in history.
17. The kiwi, not only a fruit but also a native flightless bird, is a national symbol of New Zealand and the nickname for its people.
18. New Zealand’s economy is significantly supported by agriculture, particularly dairy farming, which produces a major part of the world’s dairy products.
19. The country is known for its efforts in conservation and environmental protection, including being nuclear-free and having numerous initiatives to protect native species and ecosystems.
20. New Zealand was the filming location for Avatar, the highest-grossing movie of all time as of my last update.
21. The Mฤori name for New Zealand, Aotearoa, commonly translates to “The Land of the Long White Cloud”.
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