New Zealand Key Facts
New Zealand is a beautiful country, known for its clean green image and stunning natural scenery.
Population: Estimated 5,126,300*
Capital City: Wellington
Largest City: Auckland
Government: Constitutional Monarchy with a Parliamentary Democracy
Primary Language: English
Other Official Languages: Maori, New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL)
Currency: New Zealand Dollar ($)
Prime Minister: Jacinda Ardern
Government: Labour Party
National Rugby Team (Union): All Blacks
National Anthem: God Defend New Zealand
Other fun facts
1 - New Zealand was the first country to give women the vote
Kate Sheppard is an iconic woman in New Zealand's history, recognised on our $10 bill. She campaigned to end women's suffrage and give women the vote, gaining 30,000 signatures in support, and in 1893, women were officially allowed to vote in New Zealand.
2 - We conquered Mt Everest
Alongside Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, kiwi Sir Edmund Hillary was the first confirmed climber to reach the summit of Mt Everest. Sir Edmund Hillary appears on our $5 bill.
3 - We discovered the Proton
Sir Ernest Rutherford was a New Zealand physicist who discovered the proton in 1919-1920. He appears on our $100 bill.
4 - We have the longest place name in the English speaking world
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu is a hill in the Hawke's Bay and has the honour of being the longest place name in the English speaking world.
5 - We're an island country
New Zealand is made up of three main islands as well as many other smaller islands. The two main islands of New Zealand are, as their names suggest, the North and South Islands. Stewart Island is the third, much smaller island, located at the far bottom of the South Island.
The South Island is larger than the North, however it is less densely populated. Here you will find vast alpine ranges, wide flat plains and cascading glaciers! Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island.
Read more fun facts about New Zealand
New Zealand Disasters
There have been many disasters recorded in and around New Zealand. More recently, Christchurch has suffered more than a year of earthquakes, taking more than 180 lives and costing billions of dollars in damage.
Christchurch Earthquake 2010: 4th September 2010 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake (more)
Christchurch Earthquake 2011: 22nd February 2011 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake (more)
Christchurch Earthquake 2011: 13th June 2011 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake (more)
*Statistics New Zealand as of 17th February 2022.
