Flavour of New Zealand
NZ popular culture 1960 onward
NZ popular culture 1960 onward
Excerpts from Strange Facts & True about New Zealand should be seen as having validity as of its publishing date of 1981.
The tallest fern in New Zealand is a tree fern of the mamaku species (Cyathea medullaris) which grows over 12 m tall and has a stem 30 cm thick. Individual fronds can grow up to 5 m long and 2 m across. 1
The census of 1874 brought to light a number of intriguing occupations including 84 hawkers or peddlers, 5 whipmakers, 3 cheesemongers, 33 soap boilers, one pauper, 17 prostitutes, and 9 inmates of refuge. 1
Mr Tim Shadbolt of Auckland holds the world record for the longest speech ever given. Starting on 15 June 1979, he harrangued a crowd non-stop for 32 hours. 1
The highest rainfall ever recorded over a 12-month period in New Zealand occurred at Frews Hut, Westland, between 14 March 1967 and 14 March 1968. In that year Frews Hut, which has the highest average rainfall of 8,180 mm, received 10,670 mm of rain (editor’s note: that’s 35 feet). 1