Fun Facts

I have been here nearly three years now, which means I have had a bit of time to learn a few interesting facts about New Zealand so I thought I would  share some.

• If you get pulled over by the police, the officer must be wearing his or her hat when they approach they vehicle. Otherwise, they cannot issue you a ticket.
• New Zealand really doe shave more sheep than people, with a 10: 1 ration. This comes out to 4 million human residents and 40 million sheep. 
• Driving rules recently changed. If two cars from opposite directions are at the same intersection, the vehicle turning must yield to the vehicle going straight, even if the turning vehicle arrived first. 
• The first place in the world where you can watch the sunrise is Gisborne, on the East Coast of the North Island.
• The longest place name in the world is also found on the East Coast, a hill in Hawkes Bay. I won't even pretend I can pronounce it: Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukaka-
  pikimaungahoronukupokaiwenuakitanatahu. It means "the place where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, who slid, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as Landeater, played his flute to his loved one."
• No matter where you are in New Zealand, you cannot be more than 128 kilometers from the ocean, or 79.5 miles.
• There are no snakes in New Zealand (yay!), or ticks.
• New Zealand was the first country to give women the right to vote, in 1893. That being said, one of the first women politicians was instructed to not enter the government buildings at the same time as her male counterparts so as to not undermine their authority.
• The logo for the Royal New Zealand Air Force is the kiwibird, which is flightless. 
• The beer drunk on camera in the Lord of the Rings films was a New Zealand beer called "Sobering Thought."
• New Zealand courts have an entire list of illegal names which cannot be given to your child. They include all titles such as Prince/Princess, Queen, etc. This came about when a young girl became a ward of the court to change her original name of Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii.
• New Zealand has three national languages: English, Maori, and New Zealand Sign Language.
• Wellington is the Southernmost capital in the world.

Hope you enjoyed :)