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.
New Zealand is a high altitude landmass, with only one quarter of its area under 200 m above sea level. 1
The only man known to have built a boat using only his feet was Kaitaia solicitor Mr Rodney Haines. Mr Haines, who is armless, built an 8.2 m double outrigger cruiser in his spare time while a partner in a Kaitaia legal firm. 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
The capital’s nickname is well-earned. On average Wellington has 188 days with wind gusts of over 65 kph and over 41 days when wind gusts reach 96.5 kph. 1