New Zealand is a fascinating country of rich culture, unique geography, and intriguing history. From the two main islands that define its landscape to the famous flightless kiwi bird that lends its nickname to its people, there’s plenty to learn and discover. Whether you’re a geography buff or just curious about this island nation, these trivia questions are a perfect way to dive deep into New Zealand’s identity.
Test your knowledge on everything from the capital and official languages to New Zealand’s political system and historical milestones. Uncover surprising facts about its independence, population, and even the Māori name for the country. This quiz challenges you to think about the details that make New Zealand so distinctive and invites you to expand your global trivia repertoire.
Ready to explore more trivia and sharpen your skills? Try your hand at our engaging board game trivia, discover fascinating facts with classical music trivia, or test your pop culture knowledge with Kylie Jenner trivia. Dive in and keep the fun going!
What is the largest city in New Zealand by population?
Auckland
Auckland
Hamilton
Hamilton
Wellington
Wellington
Christchurch
Christchurch
What is the capital city of New Zealand?
Dunedin
Dunedin
Auckland
Auckland
Wellington
Wellington
Rotorua
Rotorua
Which two main islands make up New Zealand?
East Island and West Island
East Island and West Island
North Island and South Island
North Island and South Island
Tasman Island and Stewart Island
Tasman Island and Stewart Island
Cook Island and Stewart Island
Cook Island and Stewart Island
Which flightless bird is a symbol of New Zealand?
Ostrich
Ostrich
Emu
Emu
Kiwi
Kiwi
Penguin
Penguin
Who are the indigenous people of New Zealand?
Aboriginal
Aboriginal
Maori
Maori
Sami
Sami
Inuit
Inuit
What is the official native language of the Maori people?
Tagalog
Tagalog
Te Reo Maori
Te Reo Maori
Samoan
Samoan
Fijian
Fijian
Which sea lies to the west of New Zealand?
Tasman Sea
Tasman Sea
Arafura Sea
Arafura Sea
Coral Sea
Coral Sea
Timor Sea
Timor Sea
What is the national rugby team of New Zealand called?
All Blacks
All Blacks
Springboks
Springboks
Pumas
Pumas
Wallabies
Wallabies
Which mountain is the highest point in New Zealand?
Aoraki / Mount Cook
Aoraki / Mount Cook
Mount Taranaki
Mount Taranaki
Mount Aspiring
Mount Aspiring
Mount Ruapehu
Mount Ruapehu
What major city is situated on New Zealand’s South Island?
Auckland
Auckland
Napier
Napier
Christchurch
Christchurch
Wellington
Wellington
Which body of water separates New Zealand’s North and South Islands?
Hauraki Gulf
Hauraki Gulf
Bass Strait
Bass Strait
Cook Strait
Cook Strait
Foveaux Strait
Foveaux Strait
Which fruit is a major export famously grown in New Zealand?
Banana
Banana
Papaya
Papaya
Mango
Mango
Kiwifruit
Kiwifruit
What is the official currency used in New Zealand?
Australian Dollar
Australian Dollar
Euro
Euro
Pound Sterling
Pound Sterling
Dollar
Dollar
Who was the first European explorer to set foot on New Zealand?
Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan
James Cook
James Cook
Abel Tasman
Abel Tasman
Francis Drake
Francis Drake
Which city hosted the 2011 Rugby World Cup final?
Wellington
Wellington
Christchurch
Christchurch
Auckland
Auckland
Dunedin
Dunedin
What is the indigenous name for New Zealand in Maori?
Te Ika-a-Māui
Te Ika-a-Māui
Aotearoa
Aotearoa
Te Waipounamu
Te Waipounamu
Rapa Nui
Rapa Nui
Which volcanic region is famous for geysers and hot springs?
Milford Sound
Milford Sound
Queenstown
Queenstown
Taupo
Taupo
Rotorua
Rotorua
In which city would you find the cable car that travels to the Botanic Garden?
Hamilton
Hamilton
Napier
Napier
Wellington
Wellington
Auckland
Auckland
Which New Zealander won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for nuclear research?
Ernest Rutherford
Ernest Rutherford
Edmund Hillary
Edmund Hillary
Kate Sheppard
Kate Sheppard
Richard Hadlee
Richard Hadlee
What is the name of the strait at the southern tip of New Zealand’s South Island?
Bass Strait
Bass Strait
Marlborough Sounds
Marlborough Sounds
Foveaux Strait
Foveaux Strait
Cook Strait
Cook Strait
Which famous film director set ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy in New Zealand?
James Cameron
James Cameron
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson
Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi
What is Hokey Pokey in New Zealand?
A traditional dance
A traditional dance
A beach resort
A beach resort
A national holiday
A national holiday
A type of ice cream
A type of ice cream
Which mountain range runs down much of the length of the South Island?
Blue Mountains
Blue Mountains
Grampians
Grampians
Southern Alps
Southern Alps
Tararua Range
Tararua Range
Which marine mammal is commonly seen in Kaikoura, New Zealand?
Narwhal
Narwhal
Dugong
Dugong
Sperm Whale
Sperm Whale
Manatee
Manatee
Who was the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, born in New Zealand?
Reinhold Messner
Reinhold Messner
Edmund Hillary
Edmund Hillary
George Mallory
George Mallory
Tenzing Norgay
Tenzing Norgay
Which bird is known for its loud, haunting call at night in native New Zealand forests?
Fantail
Fantail
Kea
Kea
Tui
Tui
Morepork (Ruru)
Morepork (Ruru)
Which large ancient reptile fossil was discovered in the Waipara River region of New Zealand?
Velociraptor
Velociraptor
Triceratops
Triceratops
Mosasaur
Mosasaur
Pteranodon
Pteranodon
Which famous glowworm caves are located in the North Island of New Zealand?
Punakaiki Caverns
Punakaiki Caverns
Waitomo Caves
Waitomo Caves
Milford Caves
Milford Caves
Te Anau Grotto
Te Anau Grotto
Which peninsula is known for its stunning beaches and Cathedral Cove?
Coromandel Peninsula
Coromandel Peninsula
Karikari Peninsula
Karikari Peninsula
Otago Peninsula
Otago Peninsula
Banks Peninsula
Banks Peninsula
Which natural disaster caused significant damage to Christchurch in 2011?
Cyclone
Cyclone
Volcanic eruption
Volcanic eruption
Flood
Flood
Earthquake
Earthquake
What is the traditional Maori method of cooking known as Hangi?
Roasting meat over an open fire
Roasting meat over an open fire
Cooking food in an underground oven with heated rocks
Cooking food in an underground oven with heated rocks
Steaming vegetables in a woven basket
Steaming vegetables in a woven basket
Frying seafood in a large pot
Frying seafood in a large pot
Which coastal city is famous for its Art Deco architecture?
Nelson
Nelson
Napier
Napier
Invercargill
Invercargill
Gisborne
Gisborne
Which New Zealand actor played Dr. Alan Grant in ‘Jurassic Park’?
Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe
Temuera Morrison
Temuera Morrison
Sam Neill
Sam Neill
Karl Urban
Karl Urban
What is the Maori ceremonial dance performed before rugby matches?
Haka
Haka
Poi
Poi
Haerenga
Haerenga
Kapa haka
Kapa haka
Which southernmost city is considered the gateway to Antarctica?
Dunedin
Dunedin
Queenstown
Queenstown
Christchurch
Christchurch
Invercargill
Invercargill
You can do better
Not bad
Great!
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