Final Installment Facts About New Zealand

1.     New Zealand became a British colony in 1840. The British Parliament granted New Zealand the right of self-governance eleven years later. Although the political relationship between the two countries remained strong over the next century, New Zealand began flexing its economic and political muscles after Great Britain joined the European Common Market in 1973. Today, New Zealand is a Parliamentary Democracy but shares the same Queen (Elizabeth II) as Great Britain.

2.     New Zealand is one of only a handful of countries with two official national anthems (“God Save The Queen” and “God Defend New Zealand”).  Both anthems have equal status; however “God Defend New Zealand” is sung a 100% of sporting events.

3.     New Zealand is the largest exporter of lamb in the world.  The country has more than 7 sheep for every human. Fifty percent of all international trade in sheepmeat is raised and shipped by Kiwis. While most New Zealanders live on the North Island, most of the sheep are raised on the South Island.

4.     New Zealand has spectacular scenery including more than 6,000 miles of coastline, rugged mountains, subtropical forests, picturesque glaciers, vast open plains, volcanic plateaus and sandy beaches. More than 150 of these spectacular locations were featured in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Yes, you can take Lord of the Rings tours replete with LOTR weapon, costumes and even LOTR accommodations.

5.     For millions of years New Zealand has remained an isolated group of islands. Its nearest neighbor, Australia, is nearly 1,000 miles away. That isolation has resulted in a plethora of native and exotic species. The country has more than 2000 indigenous species. Seventy five percent of them are found nowhere else in the world including 80% of its trees, ferns and flowering plants.