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NZ Regions Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
NZ Regions Quizzes, Trivia

New Zealand Regions Trivia

New Zealand Regions Trivia Quizzes

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10 quizzes and 110 trivia questions.
1.
Regions of New Zealand
  Regions of New Zealand   popular trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
New Zealand is a beautiful island country with sixteen regions, each with its own unique personality and picturesque landscapes. Can you identify ten of these regions?
Average, 10 Qns, Joepetz, Aug 09 20
Average
Joepetz gold member
Aug 09 20
234 plays
2.
  Fiordland    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some of New Zealand's most beautiful scenery can be found in Fiordland in the southwest corner of the South Island.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Howie72, Oct 28 05
Difficult
Howie72 gold member
1084 plays
3.
  Otago: Home of the Highlanders    
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
How well do you think you know Otago? Even if you know it well, some things might surprise you.
Average, 20 Qns, youngmade, Oct 23 19
Average
youngmade
Oct 23 19
227 plays
4.
  Place Name Oddities in Otago, N.Z.    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Although Otago was settled late in the European colonisation of New Zealand, the gold rush made it an "interesting" place. What do you know about the province from those far-off days?
Difficult, 10 Qns, Capfka, May 11 07
Difficult
Capfka
612 plays
5.
  Banks Peninsula    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The lovely Banks Peninsula on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island is the place of romance and heritage. Find out why.
Average, 10 Qns, Voreqe, Jan 22 21
Average
Voreqe
Jan 22 21
478 plays
6.
  Otago, Home of the Highlanders #2   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
My second Otago quiz. See how much you know about this wonderful province.
Tough, 10 Qns, youngmade, Jun 16 16
Tough
youngmade
117 plays
7.
  The World's First Quiz on South Waikato    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I live in the South Waikato District, so find out more about this interesting area by playing quiz.
Tough, 10 Qns, essjaynz, Nov 26 21
Tough
essjaynz
Nov 26 21
744 plays
8.
  Taranaki Tour    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I absolutely love this site but felt it was lacking a true Taranaki taste. So, here it is...
Tough, 10 Qns, dadofestelle, Oct 02 08
Tough
dadofestelle
629 plays
9.
  Otago, Home of the Highlanders #3    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is the third quiz on New Zealand's wonderful province Otago.
Tough, 10 Qns, youngmade, Oct 29 19
Tough
youngmade
Oct 29 19
109 plays
10.
  Stewart Island, New Zealand    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
New Zealand is not just made up of the North and South Islands. Stewart Island is just as interesting but little is known about it. Be prepared to learn something new.
Average, 10 Qns, mochyn, May 11 22
Average
mochyn
May 11 22
564 plays

New Zealand Regions Trivia Questions
1. What Otago town sits on a shore of a lake whose name means "Spreading water" in Maori?

From Quiz Otago, Home of the Highlanders #3

Answer: Waihola

Waihola is a town just a few kilometers south of Mosgiel, one of Dunedin's outer suburbs. A common joke there is about a town called Waikikamukau (why kick a moo cow) but it doesn't actually exist.

2. Gabriel's Gully is considered by most historians to be the site where gold was first discovered in Otago. Starting in the 1890s, the gold rush was located closest to which Otago town?

From Quiz Otago, Home of the Highlanders #2

Answer: Lawrence

When the gold rush started, Dunedin grew rapidly in size and soon became the most heavily populated city in New Zealand. As a consequence, it became the first town in New Zealand to be declared a city.

3. The discovery of what natural resource made Dunedin become the most populated city in New Zealand in the late 1800s?

From Quiz Otago: Home of the Highlanders

Answer: Gold

Otago became the first true city in New Zealand in the 19th century due to thousands of people hoping to strike it rich on the Otago gold fields. There are still sites dotted all around Otago that date back to the historical gold rush times.

4. Which town is a self-declared republic in the Taranaki region?

From Quiz Taranaki Tour

Answer: Whangamomona

The bi-annual "republic day" is one of the highlights of any red-blooded kiwi's year. From sheep racing to whip-cracking, Whanga has it all! An excellent event for a town of about 40 people, attracting several thousand visitors from around the country. A must-do for any tourist if you ask me.

5. The town of Ophir, on the terraces above the Manuherikia Valley 20km from Alexandra, has had two names during its relatively brief existence. What was the original name?

From Quiz Place Name Oddities in Otago, N.Z.

Answer: Blacks

I've never been quite sure why the name was changed from Blacks Diggings (always shortened to Blacks) to Ophir, or why the town survived the 1860s when so many others didn't. For a while it was a stop on the stage coach route over Blacks Hill to Polnoon and the Ida Valley, and that may have been the reason why it outlasted the gold which was the reason for its existence. The hotel at the junction with the Blacks Hill Road is still called the Blacks Pub.

6. What is the Maori name for Stewart Island?

From Quiz Stewart Island, New Zealand

Answer: Rakiura

Rakiura means "Place of the Glowing Skies" in the Maori language as a tribute to the wonderful sunsets it experiences. You can also see the Southern Lights from Stewart Island.

7. The first day of our holiday is taken up by travelling to Fiordland and setting up base for our stay on the shores of the South Island's largest lake. What lake is this?

From Quiz Fiordland

Answer: Lake Te Anau

Te Anau means "rushing waters in a cave" in Maori and is the gateway to Fiordland. Te Anau is also known as the "Walking Capital of the World" as it is located near a number of exceptional walking tracks.

8. The South Waikato district is located just above the centre of the North Island of New Zealand, it is part of the Waikato region. What percentage of the population of New Zealand lives within a 200 km radius of the South Waikato district?

From Quiz The World's First Quiz on South Waikato

Answer: 50%

The cities or large towns of Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupo and Tauranga are only forty minutes drive from most of the district. Auckland is only 200 kilometres north.

9. Why was filling of the Clyde dam hydro lake halted after it was completed?

From Quiz Otago, Home of the Highlanders #3

Answer: Rock Slides

The Clyde dam is the biggest concrete dam in Otago and took many years to complete. It caused the town of Cromwell to be relocated because the lake would submerge it. When they finally completed the dam, rock slides in the gorge could have created a flash flood wiping out towns further down the river. It took several years to eliminate all the potential rock fall areas before Lake Dunstan was filled.

10. In the 1990s, Beaumont in South Otago rejected a development because it would have required the whole town to be relocated. What was the proposed development?

From Quiz Otago, Home of the Highlanders #2

Answer: Hydroelectric dam

After the Clyde Dam was finished, the lake flooded the area where Cromwell was. The whole town was moved at great expense. The proposal for another dam in Beaumont would also have required the town to be moved, but the residents refused and the idea was forgotten.

11. Native glow worms can be seen in Otago in which area?

From Quiz Otago: Home of the Highlanders

Answer: Whare Flat

The only place they can be naturally seen in Otago is under an overhanging bank on the side of the road in Whare Flat. This is little known fact about Otago!

12. The romantic town on Banks Peninsula is called Akaroa - what does this Maori word mean in English?

From Quiz Banks Peninsula

Answer: Long Harbour

Aka meaning harbour and roa meaning long. Though Akaroa has a Maori name, the town was settled by the French in 1840. With its sheltered position, magnificent views and rich heritage - Akaroa is often refered as the riviera for the nearby city of Christchurch.

13. The Milford Road climbs gently up the Eglinton Valley before dropping very steeply to Marion Camp in the Hollyford River valley. What is the name of the highest point of the road, where it crosses from the east coast watershed to the western side?

From Quiz Place Name Oddities in Otago, N.Z.

Answer: The Divide

The Divide is well-known to tourists taking the road to Milford and to backpackers who walk the Hollyford Track and Greenstone River tracks. The contrast between the bush on the east coast side and the steeper rain forest on the western side is quite remarkable. As are the keas, the large mountain parrots which just love stripping the rubber off windscreen wipers and pulling the sealing strip from around your windscreen ...

14. Everyone knows that the two largest islands in New Zealand are North and South Islands but what rank does Stewart Island hold?

From Quiz Stewart Island, New Zealand

Answer: Third largest

Stewart Island is New Zealand's third largest and in 2002 opened a new national park. It has many rare and beautiful birds.Chatham Island is the fourth largest followed by Auckland Island and Great Barrier Island.

15. Day two sees us take a scenic flight over New Zealand's largest fiord. What is the name of this fiord?

From Quiz Fiordland

Answer: Dusky Sound

There are fourteen fiords situated in Fiordland and Dusky Sound is the largest. In 1770, Captain James Cook arrived at the entrance to the Sound as night was falling. He named it Dusky Sound as it was too dark to enter. The Maori name is Tamatea, named after a legendary Maori explorer.

16. The largest town in the South Waikato is?

From Quiz The World's First Quiz on South Waikato

Answer: Tokoroa

Tokoroa almost reached city status in the 1980's (18,000) and currently has a population of around 14,000. Putaruru is the next biggest town and has a population of just under 4,000. Tirau and Arapuni both have populations of fewer than 1,000. The seat of the South Waikato District Council is in Tokoroa.

17. Gibbston Valley Winery is directly across the road from which thrill-seeking adventure tourism attraction?

From Quiz Otago, Home of the Highlanders #3

Answer: Bungy jumping

Gibbston Valley Winery sits across the road from A.J Hackett's first bungy jumping spot, on the Kawarau River's historical suspension bridge. Many more locations were to follow, each higher than the last. It is recommended that jumpers try this one before attempting higher jumps.

18. What is the tourist attraction located in Kingston?

From Quiz Otago, Home of the Highlanders #2

Answer: A steam train

The Kingston Flyer is a steam train that used to operate in Otago until the late 1950s. When the trains were replaced by buses, 14km of track was kept for the locomotive to run short train journeys for tourists.

19. Dunedin is a very hilly city. What is the highest mountain or hill in Dunedin?

From Quiz Otago: Home of the Highlanders

Answer: Mt Cargill

Mt Cargill is named after William Cargill, the founder of the Dunedin Settlement. Mt Cargill is 676 meters, higher than Flagstaff by just ten metres. Saddle Hill was one of two features in the Dunedin area named by Captain James Cook in 1792.

20. The two harbours of Banks Peninsula were formed by what?

From Quiz Banks Peninsula

Answer: volcanic eruptions

Eight million years of volcanic activity (just imagine - a thousand years is a long time for humans!) that occured about 11 million years ago formed two huge craters. After the activity ceased, erosion, elevated sea levels and seismic activity allowed the sea to break through and form the two harbours of Lyttelton and Akaroa. The crater rim height today is approximately half that of what is was then. It must have been a truly awesome back then.

21. This town has pretty much nothing but a bread factory.

From Quiz Taranaki Tour

Answer: Manaia

Yarrows is a huge factory pumping out frozen bread and pastry products for the national and international market since 1923, including pies to Disneyland! At both entrances to the town, you will find a huge loaf of bread welcoming you to the Bread Capital of New Zealand.

22. Cromwell, which is now nearly surrounded by Lake Dunstan courtesy of the Clyde Dam, used to be the place where the Kawarau and Clutha Rivers met. But it wasn't always known as Cromwell. What was it originally called?

From Quiz Place Name Oddities in Otago, N.Z.

Answer: The Junction

The Cromwell Gorge, downstream of the town, used to be a very pretty touristy kind of road, with the greens of rosehips and cherry trees contrasting with the ochre and grey of the mountains. At Cromwell itself, the two rivers provided a stunning sight where they met immediately below the town. The brown, muddier water of the Kawarau met the glacial blue-green water of the Clutha, and the two currents ran side by side for a couple of hundred metres before they merged into a darker green. The meeting of the two large rivers was, of course, the reason why the town was originally called The Junction.

23. Where is Stewart Island in relation to South Island ?

From Quiz Stewart Island, New Zealand

Answer: South

Stewart Island, situated about 30 miles south of South Island is unspoilt, wild and subject to some pretty bad weather.

24. On the third day we take a launch trip on "The Sound Of Silence". What fiord have we just enjoyed the beauty and tranquility of?

From Quiz Fiordland

Answer: Doubtful Sound

Doubtful Sound is the deepest (about 420 meteres deep) and second largest fjord in Fiordland. It was named Doubtful Harbour by Captain James Cook in 1770 because he was doubtful whether he would be able to return to the open sea if he sailed in to explore.

25. Tokoroa was named after a great Maori chief who was slain south of Tokoroa. In which decade did Tokoroa first appear on New Zealand maps?

From Quiz The World's First Quiz on South Waikato

Answer: 1860

Early map references were to the 'Tokoroa Plains'. The first settlement of the town took place around 1910. By 1948 the population had grown to 1100. In 2004 the population of the district was approximately 23,500. People from over 25 countries have made the South Waikato their home, settling mostly in Tokoroa.

26. Lee Stream is a small locality in the hills west of Dunedin. The children of the school are provided with home schooling supplies since they often miss school due to which natural phenomena?

From Quiz Otago, Home of the Highlanders #3

Answer: Heavy snow

Lee Stream is high in the hills and gets a lot of snow in winter. The children and teachers have problems getting to the school during heavy snow so the children have lessons at home when this occurs.

27. What kind of albatross can be viewed at the Royal Albatross Center at Taiaroa Heads near Dunedin?

From Quiz Otago, Home of the Highlanders #2

Answer: Northern royal albatross

The Northern royal albatross at Taiaroa Head are the only albatross in the world to live on the New Zealand mainland rather than on an island. Dunedin is the only mainland location in the world where albatross make a home.

28. Akaroa's heritage is a wonderful blend of human activity. Maori were the first settlers, followed by the early Europeans. The first Europeans arrived in New Zealand after Captain Cook around the early 1820's in search of what commodity?

From Quiz Banks Peninsula

Answer: Seal skins and whale oil

Land was certainly a commodity that was sought in the 1830's and the gold rush started in the 1860's. Maori wives were certainly taken and/or given, but was not the reason for the early whaling and seal parties arriving in Aotearoa (New Zealand).

29. What is the closest settlement to the world famous 'Three Sisters' (New Zealand) rock formation?

From Quiz Taranaki Tour

Answer: Tongaporutu

At the end of the Tongaporutu River, these statues stand off shore of the glorious Whitecliffs.

30. About how many people live on Stewart Island?

From Quiz Stewart Island, New Zealand

Answer: 400

One of the sparsest populated areas on the planet,most of the population is of European descent and are employed in the tourist industry.

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