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 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 first moose to be liberated in New Zealand were sent here by the Canadian government in 1900. Fourteen moose were originally sent out, but only four survived the storms and rough seas. These four were kept just opposite Parliament Buildings in Wellington for some time, before being released in Hokitika. Curiously, one of the cow moose took a liking to the town and for 14 years she regularly disturbed the inhabitants by chasing them up and down the streets. 1
The oldest pub in New Zealand which is still operating from its original site is the Thistle Inn, on the corner of Sydney and Mulgrave Streets in Wellington. The Thistle Inn was built in 1840 and was opened between July and October of that year by the original publican, William Couper. 1
During 1971 there were more marriages solemnized than in any other year; 27,199 couples were married. 1