The Little Book of Kiwiana

Everything you ought to know about New Zealand, including its history, cultural icons and kitsch.

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For the last 1000 years, since the Maori Polynesians first arrived, New Zealand has been seen as a long way away and truly believes that it is on the edge, so much so that it often gets left off world maps!

It's a country of extremes – with a land mass about 10% bigger than the UK with approximately 60 million fewer people living there. In the North the climate is sub-tropical, the islands to the south are called Sub-Antarctic for a reason. The mountains reach heights five times that of those in the UK, there are volcanoes, earthquakes and extreme weather.

With chapters on history, cultural icons and kitsch The Little Book of Kiwiana helps you explore this unique and wonderful country and discover so much more about the quirky things that contribute to a sense of nationhood that represent all that is New Zealand.

New Zealand didn't really invent Bungy jumping, but the first jumpers weren't far away in Vanuatu. Queenstown was the site of the first commercial operation and has been going since 1988. New Zealand is regarded as the birthplace of this now global industry.

Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu

At 85 letters long, this is the longest place name in the world. It roughly translates to 'the summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the slider, climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his nose flute to his loved one.'

'In some ways I believe I epitomise the average New Zealander: I have modest abilities, I combine these with a good deal of determination, and I rather like to succeed.'
- Sir Edmund Hillary, mountaineer and explorer

'I grew up in the New Zealand countryside. We didn't have television until I was 14, so sing-alongs were our only entertainment.'
- Kiri Te Kanawa, opera singer