New Zealand Facts

New Zealand was the first self-governing country in the world to grant all women the right to vote in national elections, in 1893.

Longest officially recognized place name is Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu.

The New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, went to a doctor and a vet to confirm that he is a human being and not a shape shifting lizard from space.

Sheep outnumber humans in New Zealand 15 to 1.

In 2009, a drunk New Zealander lost a poker bet and legally changed his name to "Full Metal Havok More Sexy N Intelligent Than Spock And All The Superheroes Combined With Frostnova". He only discovered the change had been approved five years later when he applied for a passport.

The world's officially recognised steepest street is Baldwin Street, with a 35% gradient, in Dunedin, New Zealand.

In 2006, an Australian man tried to sell New Zealand on eBay. The starting price was $0.01 AUD and managed to reach $3000 before eBay closed the auction.