The indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand, the Maori, call this country Aotearoa which means “land of the long white cloud.” It is not known exactly why the Maori chose this name but one story is that as voyagers came near, the first sign of land was a long cloud hanging over it.

New Zealand was the last major land mass to be settled by humans. It was first settled by the Maori people as early as 1300 AD. James Cook, a British explorer, came to the North Island in 1769 and claimed it for Britain.

It is a land of great diversity, from glaciers to rainforests to beaches to mountains to subtropical areas (where you can grow bananas in your backyard).

If you wanted to, you could go surfing and skiing in the same day! There are ski areas located within two hours of the ocean. You would just need a good wet suit, and some snow on the mountains during winter or springtime.

New Zealand lies on the Ring of Fire and sits on two tectonic plates which cause natural hot springs, geysers and bubbling mud (particularly around Rotorua). There are over 100 natural hot springs and geothermal pools scattered throughout the country. There is even a place called Hot Water Beach where naturally heated mineral water bubbles up. When the tide is low enough, you can dig your own spa pool in the sand just a short distance from the Pacific Ocean.

Auckland is one of the most volcanic cities in the world with 53 volcanoes in an area of about 1,000 square kilometers (they use the metric system, so this converts to about 622 square miles). The last eruption happened about 600 years ago but the Auckland Volcanic Field is still considered active.

A natural wonder on the South Island is Fiordland National Park which is most famous for the stunning fjord called Milford Sound. It is surrounded by towering cliffs and spectacular waterfalls. One person described it this way: “From thundering waterfalls to sky high mountains to lush rainforests, Milford has it all. So wild and remote it truly feels like you’ve stepped back in time. Milford Sound itself is the most impressive of all the fiords, with steep mountains lorded over by the iconic Mitre Peak, it’s beauty is impressive” (realnz.com).

New Zealand officially has three languages: New Zealand English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language. They have many words similar to British English like bonnet (hood of a car), boot (trunk of a car), torch (flashlight), rubbish (trash), trolley (shopping cart) and serviette (napkin) among others. There the word kiwi refers to four completely different things: the Kiwi bird, Kiwi (people), kiwifruit and New Zealand jargon which is also called Kiwi.

Speaking of the kiwi bird, which is the national bird, New Zealand has some unique wildlife. Kiwi birds are flightless and found only in this country. They lay the largest eggs in proportion to their bodies of any bird in the world—up to one-fourth of an adult bird’s body mass. New Zealand is also known as the seabird capital of the world and also has many forest birds found nowhere else on Earth. In the mountainous areas, one may encounter the kea—the world’s only alpine parrot. These birds are very curious and have a fascination with tearing plastic and rubber off of cars and taking people’s belongings. New Zealand is also home to the world’s largest parrot, the kakapo, weighing up to nine pounds!

This amazing country also has the world’s heaviest insect—the giant weta—which can weigh up to 3 ounces, about the size of a small bird! They are about the length of your outstretched hand. You would not want to wake up with one in your bed.

There is a species of glowworms that are only found in New Zealand and Australia (New Zealand’s closest neighbor but still about 900 miles away across the Tasman Sea). They are found in caves and forests and produce bioluminescent light to attract insects. This beautiful blue-green glow attracts many visitors.

There is so much more to this incredible country and people, including unique foods (meat pies, pavlova and Hokey Pokey ice cream) and their love of rugby. Feel free to do your own research to learn more.