Epic NZ in 10 questions Trivia Quiz

Answer: Kororareka

Russell, also known as Kororareka, is near where the first government was established in Okiato. Okiato was originally named Russell by William Hobson. When the government was moved to Auckland, Russell burnt to the ground and since Kororareka was part of the Port of Russell it assumed the name.

Answer: Baldwin Street

Baldwin Street in Dunedin is the world's steepest residential street a gradient of 1:2.86 at the steepest point. Each year a race from the bottom to the top and back takes place known as the Gutbuster. There is also a race where numbered jaffas, a spherical ball of chocolate coated with a candy shell, are rolled from the top and the person whose is first to reach the bottom wins a prize. All the other streets are really steep Dunedin streets too.

There are other streets claimed to be steeper but according to the criteria set by Guinness World Records, the street has to be urban, sealed and be accessible by car and by foot which is why some other steep streets don't qualify.

Answer: Young

The area in Poverty Bay on the East Coast of North Island is named Young Nick's Head as Nick Young was the first to sight land on the first expedition by Captain Cook. A reward was offered to the first man to sight land and on October 6 1769, the 12 year old Nick who was the surgeon's assistant saw it. He was rewarded two gallons of rum and the name of the headland.

Answer: Wellington

Wellington became the third capital of New Zealand after it was decided a city near the middle of the country would be the best site for the government. Wellington is New Zealand's second largest city. It sits on the edge of Cook Strait, a bottleneck channelling all the wind down the gap between North and South Island.

Auckland is known as the city of sails, Christchurch the garden city and Dunedin is the Edinburgh of the south.

Answer: William Cargill

William Cargill was a wealthy land owner and one of the founders of Dunedin. He built a large stately home known as Cargill's Castle for his son Edward Cargill. It was completed in 1877 and in 1892 was gutted by fire. Cargill made attempts to restore the castle but couldn't afford to replace the wooden furnishings. Plans to restore the castle have been made over the years but none have taken place.

Answer: Highest water volume

The Clutha is the longest river in South Island and the second longest in NZ. It is the river with highest water volume and also the swiftest flowing river in NZ. Along its length are two hydro lakes and it runs through or near several towns. The town Balclutha is split in two by the river meaning part of it is in Otago province, the other part in Southland.

It flows much too swiftly to freeze over.

Answer: Duntroon

The limestone in the Waitaki valley in South Canterbury was the location chosen by early Maori to do their art. They used a combination of red ochre and bird fat. Five km from Duntroon is an area known as Elephant Rocks that was used as a set for part of the first "Chronicles of Narnia" movie.

Answer: Three

Three dams were built creating Lake Waitaki, Lake Aviemore and Lake Benmore. The Benmore Dam is the world's largest earth dam and Lake Benmore is the largest artificial lake in New Zealand.

Answer: Chatham Island

Te Whanga Lagoon on Chatham Island is New Zealand's largest offshore lake with a surface area of 160 square km. It is fed by several small rivers and streams flowing down from Chatham Island's hilly areas. Chatham Island is 920 square km so the lake dominates the geography of the island.

Answer: Lake Alta

Lake Alta is small lake below the Remarkables Range's highest peak, Double Cone. It freezes over during the winter months and is able to support the weight of skiers and snowboarders as they finish some of the steepest runs on the skifield. It is approximately 500m by 200m.