New Zealand — 5 million inhabitants, 2 islands, Lord of the Rings country. Home of the Maori.
- New Zealand has 2 main islands North Island (Auckland, Wellington), South Island (Christchurch, Queenstown). Plus 600 smaller islands.
- Maori — original inhabitants Arrived 1300 AD from Polynesia. 17% of population. Maori is second official language (since 1987). Plus sign language NZSL.
- New Zealand was the last major land colonized 1840 — British. Treaty of Waitangi — controversial document to this day.
- Lord of the Rings + Hobbit filmed in NZ (Peter Jackson). All 6 films. Hobbiton (Matamata), Mordor (Mount Ngauruhoe), Edoras (Mount Sunday).
- Kiwi — national bird Flightless nocturnal bird. 5 species. Critically endangered. Also kiwi fruit (originally Chinese gooseberry, NZ rebranding 1959).
- New Zealand has 3 UNESCO sites Te Wahipounamu (Fiordland NP), Tongariro NP (1st UNESCO mixed nature/culture), Subantarctic Islands.
- Auckland — largest city 1.7 mn (1/3 of NZ population). 'City of Sails' — most yachts per capita in the world.
- New Zealand has more sheep than people 26 mn sheep vs 5 mn people. 5:1. Plus 10 mn cows. Dairy + wool export = 12% of GDP.
- Mount Cook (Aoraki) — highest peak 3724 m. National park. Hiking + skiing. Near Lake Tekapo — world's best sky (UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve).
- Queenstown — 'Adrenaline Capital' Bungee jumping (invented here 1988). Plus paragliding, jet boat, skydiving, skiing. 4× more tourists than residents.
Sources: Stats NZ, Tourism New Zealand, UNESCO World Heritage.