. . . New Zealand was the first nation to allow women to vote? Being at the forefront of gender equality, NZ has always been considered a great place to learn about Women Studies.
 . . . New Zealand contains more bookstores and golf courses per head of population than any other country? And those kiwis definitely take advantage of this, reading an average of 44 minutes a day and making golf the number one sport played by adult men and number three by adult women.
. . . New Zealand boasts the most southerly railway station in the world, the most southerly pub and the most southerly vineyard? The most southern border of New Zealand sits at 55 degrees South. The northern hemisphere equivalent is somewhere in central Canada!
. . . The Lord of the Rings was filmed in 150 different locations throughout both islands of New Zealand? The infamous, blockbuster trilogy was filmed over 16 consecutive months. Although you won’t see any actual backdrops of Middle Earth still in place, you’ll still be amazed by NZ’s natural scenic wonders!
 . . . of the NZ’s 2,000 or so flowering plants, about 75 percent are found only in NZ? The most famous of these is the Pohutukawa tree. These native trees can grow up to 60 feet in height, and their bright red flowers take full bloom just before Christmas time! Some believe that when the Pohutukawa trees bloom early it means it will be a warm summer. That’s right, the Christmas in NZ occurs during their summer . . . picnics at the beach are a common way to enjoy the holiday!
(Lonely Planet New Zealand) |