New Zealand is the land of hobbits, sheep, and volcanoes – just to name a few of the many great things that this incredible country is famous and known for.
New Zealand is without a doubt one of the best countries to go on an adventure, and it also happens to be one of our favorite destinations on this planet.
That’s why we’ve dedicated this blog post to all the great things from New Zealand!
Did you for example know that Edmund Hillary (the first man to climb Mt. Everest together with Tenzing Norgay) was from New Zealand? And that New Zealand is where you’ll find the windiest city on earth? Or that the pies in this country is to die for?
We promise to tell you all about what New Zealand is known and famous for in this blog post, and hopefully it’ll inspire you to go visit this beautiful country some day. Now let’s get started!
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1. New Zealand is known for national parks
The first thing that comes to mind when we think about New Zealand is the nature.
New Zealand is known for its incredible national parks! You’ll find 13 national parks in total. 3 of them are located on the North island and 10 are located on the South island. And we’ve been lucky enough to visit 5 of them so far!
One of the great things about New Zealand is that it’s free to enjoy the nature. This means that there are no entry fees to any of the national parks in New Zealand, so anyone in this country can enjoy the incredible hiking trails and sceneries. Well done New Zealand!
2. New Zealand has world-famous hiking trails
New Zealand is famous for its hiking trails – or tramping – as it’s called in New Zealand.
One of the most famous day hikes in the world is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which is a 19-kilometer hike that takes you through an amazing volcanic landscape. Just incredible!
Check out some of the hikes we’ve done in New Zealand:
And don’t forget to sort out your backpack before your hike: Day hike packing list
3. Lord of the Rings was filmed in New Zealand
One of the most popular things to do in New Zealand is to check out the film locations from the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
To this day, the Lord of the Rings are still some of the most famous movies ever made. All 3 movies won several Oscars, and even though it’s been 20 years ago since the movies were filmed, they’re still widely popular around the world.
The famous director of Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson, is also from New Zealand himself.
If you’re a fan of the movies, then you can easily go on the popular Hobbiton tour, or you can visit some of the many free film locations around the country.
4. There are five times more sheep than people
Sheep are everywhere! Well they’re obviously not wandering the city center of Auckland… But the minute you leave a city, chances are that you’ll spot many white dots in New Zealand’s landscapes.
While New Zealand doesn’t have the most sheep in the world, it still has one of the world’s highest ratios of sheep per capita.
According to the numbers we could find on the internet, there are 5 times more sheep than people in New Zealand… That’s a pretty big amount of sheep per capita when comparing to other big sheep nations such as China and Australia.
So even though the number of sheep in New Zealand has been declining for many years now, New Zealand is still a winner when it comes to this wooly animal.
5. New Zealand is famous for delicious pies
If you’re going to New Zealand, then it’s an absolute MUST to try out some of the savory pies! I think that Glenn ate on average around 2 pies per day during our trip to New Zealand…
They’re seriously delicious! And you can get them everywhere – in gas stations, supermarkets, cafés. The price depends on where you buy them. But expect to pay between 3-5 NZD for a good pie.
You can get all kinds of flavors such as butter chicken, mince meat, bacon and egg, steak and cheese, and different vegetarian pies. My favorite one is the potato top pie – a MUST try! – But it’s not vegetarian.
6. The national bird of New Zealand is the Kiwi
The Kiwi is a flightless, nocturnal bird. It’s also a bit funny-looking with its long beak, big feet, and round body. It actually looks really cute!
Fun fact: People from New Zealand are also called “Kiwis”
There are only about 68.000 kiwis (the bird! – not the people) left in New Zealand today, which is sad because it’s very loved by locals and it has great significance to the country’s cultural heritage.
However, most inhabitants of New Zealand have actually never seen a kiwi before! So it’s highly unlikely that you’ll spot one during your trip to New Zealand unless you visit the Kiwi Birdlife Park in Queenstown or Zealandia by night in Wellington.
Read more about the beloved bird here: Facts about the kiwi
7. (Almost) Nothing can kill you in New Zealand
Well… Don’t take this fact too literal because many things can kill you in New Zealand. That being said, there are almost no dangerous animals in the country.
There are no bears, no snakes, no mountain lions. So you can easily go enjoy the nature without having to fear meeting any of those not-so-friendly-up-close animals. The most dangerous animals you can find in New Zealand are spiders – so stay clear of those.
New Zealand is basically the complete opposite to its neighbor in Australia where people say that “everything can kill you”. They really got it all in Australia: Crocodiles, venomous snakes, and box jellyfish – just to name a few.
That being said, it doesn’t mean that you should be completely fearless in New Zealand. Because hiking in the rough mountain terrains (especially during winter) and doing extreme sports can be quite dangerous in itself.
So even though you don’t have to look out for bears, you still need to look after yourself.
8. The Māori culture and history
New Zealand is known for its interesting Māori culture and heritage.
The Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand who arrived from East Polynesia in the 14th century.
The Māori have their own cuisine, culture, history, customs, and language – all of which are an integrated part of New Zealand. Even in the public schools, children have the opportunity to learn the Māori language.
So that’s why most national parks, cities, and even mountains have two names – the traditional Māori name and the Westernized name.
If you’re heading to New Zealand, then make sure to learn a bit of Te Reo (Māori language) and read up on some of the interesting Māori history. It’s also possible to visit a Māori village on your trip.
9. New Zealand is famous for wine
The wine in New Zealand is exquisite!
There are so many vineyards that you can visit – especially along the whole East side of the country. So you never have to go far if you want to taste some delicious grapes.
New Zealand is particularly famous for its Sauvignon Blanc. White wine is the best type of wine you can drink here in my opinion. However, most cool-climate wines are pretty good in New Zealand.
So, if you’re a wine connoisseur, you must take some time to stop by some of the incredible wineries of New Zealand. Popular wine regions are Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay, and Central Otago – just to name a few.
You can either plan a visit yourself or book a tour – here are the popular ones:
- Marlborough wine tour
- Otago wine tour from Queenstown
- Waiheke Island wine tour from Auckland
- Martinborough wine tour from Wellington
10. Edmund Hillary was the first on Mt. Everest
One of the most famous explorers and mountaineers in New Zealand history was Sir Edmund Hillary.
Born in Auckland in 1919, Sir Edmund Hillary (together with Tenzing) became the first man to climb to the top of Mount Everest, which is the tallest mountain in the world at a 8.848 meters height.
In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and the Sherpa Mountaineer Tenzing Norgay became the first people to reach the summit of Everest. Hillary then continued to climb many other peaks around the world, and he even reached the South Pole overland in 1958.
11. New Zealand is known for friendly locals
One of the things we love most about New Zealand is the people.
The New Zealanders (or “kiwis” as we learned earlier) are some of the most welcoming people we’ve ever met.
Coming from busy Copenhagen myself, I’ve never experienced this kind of hospitality, and it honestly took me a while to understand and appreciate it.
Everywhere you go, the local people greet you and they actually take their time to get to know you.
For example, when you’re heading to the supermarket, the cashier will most likely ask you about your day. At first, I really had to get used to people wanting to chat so much all the time… But I actually think that it’s really nice!
Therefore, I must say that one of the greatest things that New Zealand is known for, is that they’re SUPER friendly!
12. The landscapes are diverse and beautiful
New Zealand is known for having some of the best landscapes. Seriously! For being one of the “smaller” countries on Earth, the landscapes are really diverse.
You have the long coastline, dozens of volcanoes, tall mountains, icy glaciers, warm hot springs, and lush rainforests full of ferns.
We honestly think it’s some of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes we’ve ever seen in just one country. You just have to go and experience it for yourself.
13. New Zealand is famous for road trips
Since the landscapes are so beautiful, New Zealand is also one of the best places in the world to go on a road trip.
It’s common to rent a van, auto camper, or a car with a tent and just GO!
The roads are easy to drive and most of them are really beautiful. You can easily stay at Department of Conservation Campsites (DOC) for very little money and go hiking in all the national parks for free. Such a great country to enjoy the nature!
Just remember to KEEP LEFT at all times. Yup, in New Zealand you have to drive on the left side of the road.
Related blog post: New Zealand driving tips
14. Queenstown is the Adventure Capital of the World
Queenstown.
A small, beautiful city in the Southern island of New Zealand, which also happens to be famous for its adventure sport. In fact, Queenstown has been named the Adventure Capital of the World.
So basically, if you love the thrill of falling from a plane or the adrenaline from jumping off a bridge, then Queenstown is the place for you!
I can’t really share any of my own experiences because I’m a big chicken when it comes to these activities, so I obviously haven’t done any of it…
But in Queenstown you can go bungee jumping, skydiving, paragliding, climbing, hiking, mountain biking, jet boating, water rafting, and much more! Check out all the crazy things you can do on Viator.
15. Wellington is the windiest city in the World
Congratulations New Zealand! Not only are you known for hosting the adventure capital of the world, you are also home to the windiest city in the world.
Wellington is New Zealand’s Capital (and my favorite city in the country), and it also happens to be the world’s windiest city.
And we can 100% confirm that it gets really windy in Welly…
Apparently, Wellington won the title because of its placement by the Cook Strait, which is the ocean that separates the South and North island of New Zealand. And this is one windy strait.
Read more about windy cities: The World’s windiest cities
16. New Zealand is famous for the haka
A couple of years ago, a video of the New Zealand rugby team doing the haka went viral. It was so cool!
The haka is a ceremonial Māori dance and challenge. It’s usually performed to express unity and strength of a tribe. It’s a loud chant accompanied by slapping the body, exposing the tongue, and stamping the feet.
It honestly looks a little scary to me… But hey, it’s meant to be intimidating to the opponent.
Check out some of the great videos on YouTube where the people of New Zealand do the haka. It’s really impressive!
17. The rainforests are full of ferns
The rainforests in New Zealand doesn’t look like any other rainforests we’ve ever seen! Why? Because the climate in New Zealand is temperate compared to most other rainforests, which have a tropical climate.
And the rainforests in New Zealand are full of ferns! There are even several types of tree ferns!
So walking through a rainforest in New Zealand is kind of like walking through an enchanted forest. And you’re honestly expecting a witch, fairy, or troll to show up at any moment because it looks so magical.
The Silver Fern has also become an important symbol to the country, and it’s definitely one of the plants that New Zealand is most famous for.
18. Rugby is New Zealand’s national sport
The most popular sport in New Zealand is Rugby. New Zealand actually managed to win the Rugby World Cup 3 times!
So, if you want to experience some of New Zealand’s most beloved sport culture, then you should head to a rugby match during your trip.
19. Auckland is famous for the Sky Tower
Did you know that the tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere is located in New Zealand?
In the biggest city of New Zealand, Auckland, you’ll find the Sky Tower. The Sky Tower is 328 meters high, which means it even beats the height of Gran Torre Santiago in Chile!
You can book your admission ticket here and visit the building for an amazing 360 view. Or you can push your limits by doing a Sky Jump off the building! I get sick just thinking about it… Phew.
20. New Zealand is secretly known for chocolate
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about New Zealand isn’t chocolate. But New Zealand is actually known for making some kick-ass delicious chocolate!
We’ve learned this the best way possible – by eating our way through Whittaker’s Chocolate Bars!
The reason why we write that New Zealand is “secretly known” for chocolate is because nobody ever talks about it..? We had no clue that chocolate was a thing in New Zealand, and we were pleasantly surprised.
Check out this fellow bloggers chocolate guide: Best chocolate in New Zealand
21. New Zealand gave women the right to vote first
In 1893, New Zealand gave women the right to vote as the first country in the world!
This is definitely an accomplishment worth mentioning, and it’s one of the more prouder things that New Zealand is known for. Way to go!
One of the people who worked extraordinarily hard to give women voting rights was Kate Sheppard, who was one of the most prominent suffragettes in the country. She’s such an important part of the history in New Zealand that you can find her on the 10 dollar bills today.
22. Manuka honey is delicious and good for you
New Zealand is known for the famous Manuka honey.
Manuka honey is made when bees pollinate the Mānuka flower, which is found on the Mānuka tree. The Mānuka tree is native to New Zealand, and this is why you only find this type of honey in New Zealand (and sometimes Australia).
Manuka honey is very smooth and tasty, but it’s also more expensive than to other types of honey. However, Manuka honey is said to help curing many things such as a sore throat, treat wounds, and improve digestion. But I just put it in my tea for the taste. Yum!
23. Russell Crowe is from New Zealand
New Zealand’s most famous actor is no other than Russell Crowe.
He’s a big well-known international actor, and he won an Oscar (Best Actor in leading role) for the movie Gladiator in 2001. You might also know him from A Beautiful Mind, Les Miserables, and The Nice Guys.
24. Lorde is from New Zealand
The most internationally known musician from New Zealand is without a doubt Lorde.
At the age of 17, she became the youngest person ever to win a “Song of the Year” Grammy. It was for her song “Royals” – maybe you know it? Since then, her career has only continued to blossom.
25. Strict customs and biosecurity at borders
Since New Zealand is located in the middle of the ocean, it’s not hard to keep the borders tight. And they do!
New Zealand is known for having strict rules when it comes to customs and biosecurity. But there is a really good reason for this.
New Zealand has thousands of plants and fungi which are native to the country. Bringing in plants or animals from other countries can be really harmful to the endemic biodiversity.
So PLEASE just declare anything which could potentially be harmful to the nature or society. If you try to smuggle plants, food, or drugs into the country, you’ll be faced with heavy fines or prison.
26. New Zealand is famous for Milford Sound
Milford Sound is one of the most famous landmarks and tourist attractions in New Zealand.
Milford Sound is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site Te Wahipounamu (A Beautiful park in the Southwest of the Southern island). However, it’s actually not a Sound, it’s a Fiord. And you can easily visit it on a day trip.
There are several ferries that can take you into this spectacular area full of beautiful cliff formations, waterfalls, and seals. We booked our experience through the Southern Discoveries Cruise. But you can also go on a kayak tour, take a scenic flight, or check out some of the incredible hiking opportunities in the area!
27. New Zealand is famous for sailboat racing
Apart from Rugby, there is another sport in which New Zealand is pretty dominant – sailboat racing. Team New Zealand has won the America’s Cup several times, which is one of the top sailing races in the world!
And since the country has 15.000 kilometers of coastline and is located in the middle of the ocean, there are plenty of opportunities to practice…
Sailing is in general a beloved sport, hobby, and activity by many people in the country.
28. Earthquakes are common in New Zealand
One of the less great things that New Zealand is known for is earthquakes.
Because of its location between the Australian Tectonic Plate and the Pacific Tectonic Plate, the country is very prone to earthquakes.
It’s very common to experience small shakes here and there, but there have been a couple of big earthquakes which have sadly taken lives and caused much devastation to the country.
29. New Zealand is part of the Ring of Fire
The Ring of Fire is the name that’s been given to the areas surrounding the Pacific Tectonic Plate. The countries located along this plate are prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity. And New Zealand is part of this Ring of Fire among countries like Indonesia, Japan, North America, and Chile.
If you want to see volcanoes during your trip to New Zealand, then make sure to visit the North Island because this is where you’ll find the big, beautiful stratovolcanoes!
There are so many volcanoes in New Zealand, and 12 of them are still active today.
You can also visit many geothermal areas around New Zealand where you can watch geyser eruptions and incredible thermal wonderlands. You can even find natural hot springs – some of which you can swim in!
30. New Zealand is known for glaciers
New Zealand has sooo many glaciers, and you can luckily visit some of them.
The most popular ones to visit are the Fox Glacier and the Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast of the South island. You can either hike to these glaciers or book a helicopter tour to the top of them. How cool is that?!
Unfortunately, the glaciers in New Zealand are retreating quickly, so you should not wait too long to visit.
We sincerely hope you enjoyed this blog post about what New Zealand is famous and known for. Did we forget something? Let us know by leaving a comment below. Thanks for reading!
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Lovely article 😊
Before the pandemic NZ had one of the largest net migration quotas of the OECD countries. It basically means it’s a great melting pot of different cultures where everyone has a different background.
What a great point to add to the list!
Thank you 😊
Nice article, it was a great read! I think you could have mentioned lake Taupo, which is a huge lake, but the whole thing is actually the inside of a massive volcano. The last time it erupted, ash was found from it all over the world! And right now it is trembling sometimes, letting out smoke, making earthquakes that cause lake tsunamis, and very active.
Hmmm maybe there is a reason not to put this in “30 GREAT Things New Zealand is Famous and Known for”
(You shouldn’t worry about it, it is doing things like making earthquakes and smoke which releases the pressure so that it doesn’t explode, so it wont explode. Although if it does explode, which it won’t, New Zealand is doomed.)
Hi Lilah, what a great point!
We’ve been to Lake Taupo and it’s absolutely stunning. We’d definitely love to go back and do some more hiking in the area because we can imagine having that blue lake in the background is picture perfect.
Actually… we didn’t know it was still active. What an interesting fact. Thanks for letting us know 🙂
All the best, Glenn & Cecilie
Nice article, it was a great read! I think you could have mentioned lake Taupo, which is a huge lake, but the whole thing is actually the inside of a massive volcano. The last time it erupted, ash was found from it all over the world! And right now it is trembling sometimes, letting out smoke, making earthquakes that cause lake tsunamis, and very active.
Hmmm maybe there is a reason not to put this in “30 GREAT Things New Zealand is Famous and Known for”
(You shouldn’t worry about it, it is doing things like making earthquakes and smoke which releases the pressure so that it doesn’t explode, so it wont explode. Although if it does explode, which it won’t, New Zealand is doomed.)
Hi Lilah, what a great point!
We’ve been to Lake Taupo and it’s absolutely stunning. We’d definitely love to go back and do some more hiking in the area because we can imagine having that blue lake in the background is picture perfect.
Actually… we didn’t know it was still active. What an interesting fact. Thanks for letting us know 🙂
All the best, Glenn & Cecilie