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100

What ocean surrounds New Zealand?

The Pacific Ocean

100

Which film trilogy was largely filmed in New Zealand and directed by Peter Jackson?

The Lord of the Rings

100

Which British explorer mapped much of New Zealand's coastline in the 18th century?

Captain James Cook

100

What is New Zealand's famous flightless bird?

The kiwi

100

What is New Zealand's national summer sport?

Cricket

200

What country is New Zealand closest to?

Australia

200

Which New Zealand comedy duo created Flight of the Conchords?

Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement

200

What was the name of the conflict between Māori groups and the British and colonial forces in the 1860s?

The New Zealand Wars

200

What type of volcano is Mount Ruapehu?

A stratovolcano

200

What popular outdoor activity involves walking through New Zealand's mountains and forests?

Tramping (hiking)

300

What is New Zealand's currency?

New Zealand dollar

300

Which New Zealand actor played Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park?

Sam Neill

300

Which industry became especially important to New Zealand's economy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

Sheep farming and wool production

300

What is New Zealand's largest glacier?

Tasman Glacier

300

Who was the first New Zealander to win a Formula One World Championship?

Bruce McLaren — Note: McLaren was a successful Formula One driver and constructor, but he did not win the World Championship. The correct answer is Denny Hulme.

400

Which major city is located at the southern end of Lake Wakatipu?

Queenstown

400

What is tā moko?

Traditional Māori tattooing

400

What major earthquake struck Hawke's Bay in 1931?

The Hawke's Bay earthquake

400

Which native bird is known for having a distinctive blue-grey body and orange-red bill?

The takahē

400

Which New Zealand town is famous as the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping?

Queenstown

500

Which two tectonic plates meet beneath New Zealand?

The Pacific Plate and Australian Plate

500

Who was the first New Zealander to win an Academy Award for acting?

Russell Crowe

500

Who was New Zealand's first Labour Prime Minister?

Michael Joseph Savage

500

What is the name of the large fault running along much of the South Island?

The Alpine Fault

500

Which New Zealand cyclist won Olympic gold in the women's individual pursuit in 2004?

Sarah Ulmer