New Zealand Gold Trivia Quiz

Answer: All Blacks

The All Blacks rugby team have had the best test match percentage record of all the major rugby playing nations, at one point winning over 77% of their games. The All Blacks were the champions of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Answer: Peanut Butter

The larval form is called the Huhu grub, and it feeds on dead wood. It can be found in fallen and rotting trees in the New Zealand forests and bushes.

(Question by Dave42007)

Answer: land of the long white cloud

Different histories give different explanations for the naming, but most commonly it is attributed to what was seen by the first Maori when they sighted the land now known as New Zealand (i.e., "long white cloud"). It seems that originally Aotearoa just referred to the North Island of New Zealand, but has come refer to the whole country.

Answer: The Duke of Wellington

Wellington is situated at the southern end of the North Island, and has a large natural harbour. As well as being New Zealand's capital, it is the centre of the country's film industry and is sometimes nicknamed 'Wellywood'.

(Question by Otautau)

Answer: 1642

Abel Janszoon Tasman, born in 1603, was a Dutch sailor and explorer. In 1642, he set sail to try and locate the great southern land. He sailed under the Australian mainland, missed it completely, and instead bumped into Tasmania. Then heading east, he discovered the top of the South Island of New Zealand.

His ship was attacked by local Maori, and a number deaths on both sides occurred. Tasman named the bay where this attack happened "Murderers Bay". He then sailed north towards the Dutch East Indies, charting parts of Tonga and Fiji on the way.

Answer: King George IV

The great Ngapuhi warrior and rangatira (chief) travelled to England in 1820. On his meeting with King George IV, he received a suit of armour and other gifts. On his return to New Zealand, he wore the armour in a number of battles against other tribes.

Answer: Running

Peter Snell is one of New Zealand's most famous athletes, winning the gold medal in the 800 metres in Rome (1960), and two gold medals (800, 1500) in the Tokyo Olympics of 1964.

Answer: Kea

The kea is a large olive-green parrot with bright orange colouring under its wings. It is a mischievous bird, capable of problem-solving, and is sometimes called the clown of the mountains.

(Question by Otautau)

Answer: Warriors

The New Zealand Warriors entered the Australian national rugby league competition in 1995. Originally they were called the Auckland Warriors, but they changed to NZ in 2001 after a change of ownership.

The Warriors have historically struggled in the world's best rugby league competition, but won the minor premiership in 2002, and played in the grand finals in 2002 and 2011.

Answer: Sir Ernest Rutherford

Sir Ernest Rutherford was born in 1871. He became a physicist, ultimately leading him to split the atom in 1917. He died in 1937 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Answer: Auckland

The greatest provincial rugby team, Auckland, play their home games at Eden Park. Eden Park is one of the most famous rugby grounds in the world.

Answer: 1968

The Wahine, a Union Company ferry, struck Barrett Reef in the Wellington Harbour. It was on its way from Lyttelton, Christchurch to Wellington.

Answer: Owl

The Morepork is a small brown owl of the Boobook family. It is well-known and named for its nocturnal call.

Answer: Crowded House

The song made it to number two on the US Billboard charts. It only failed to make the top spot because Madonna's new single at the time went straight to number one.

Answer: Invercargill

Teretonga is a motor racing track near Invercargill. The track was established in 1957, and has hosted the New Zealand Grand Prix.

Answer: Cook in it

The hangi is the traditional Maori ground oven. The ground is dug up, and then stones are heated up and placed in the pit with baskets of food placed on top. Then leaves (traditionally, now sacks mostly) are placed over it and lastly the earth is piled back on top. The food is basically steamed, and is beautiful.

Answer: Harness racing

One of the most well-known racing families, the Purdons along with Tony Herlily (married to Mark, Owen and Barry's sister) have dominated the harness racing scene for the last thirty odd years.

Answer: 1959

The Auckland Harbour Bridge was opened by Lord Cobham (the Governer General) on the 30th of May 1959. It has a total length of 1,020 metres.

Answer: Whitebait

Inanga swim upriver to breed. The fishermen stand on the bank with large fine nets and scoop up the young fry. Whitebait are commonly cooked in fritters, but are just as delicious in the fry-pan with a little butter.

Answer: Kiwi

The Waverley wonder Kiwi came from last on the turn to easily win the 1983 Melbourne Cup. The gelding was trained by Snow Lupton.