What Makes New Zealand Special: Nature, Māori Culture and Kiwi Pride

New Zealand, Aotearoa, is a country of dramatic nature and proud culture: volcanoes sacred to Māori, fiords and glaciers, wildlife found nowhere else, a world first for women's voting rights and a deep love of the outdoors. Here is what makes it special.

World Heritage of nature and culture

UNESCO lists 3 World Heritage properties in New Zealand:

• Tongariro National Park, volcanic mountains of deep cultural and spiritual importance to Māori, listed for both nature and culture
• Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand, including Fiordland, with its fiords, glaciers and rainforest
• New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands, remote islands rich in seabirds and wildlife

Māori culture and te reo

Māori culture is central to New Zealand's identity, and te reo Māori is an official language, along with New Zealand Sign Language. Māori place names, art and ceremonies are part of national life.

Nature found nowhere else

New Zealand's long isolation produced unique wildlife, including the flightless kiwi, the bird that gave New Zealanders their nickname.

A world first for democracy

In 1893, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world where women won the right to vote in national elections.

Rugby and the outdoors

Rugby is followed with passion, and outdoor life, from tramping to the beach, is part of being a New Zealander.

The bach and the OE

Summers at the bach, a simple holiday house by the beach, and the "OE", years of overseas experience, are traditions most Kiwis know well.

Carrying the pride with you

Mountains, fiords, Māori culture and a proud democratic history: New Zealand gives its people a great deal to celebrate. That pride is what our New Zealand designs are made for, and our guide to choosing a gift based on someone's home town shows how to make it personal.