New Zealand, the Centre of the Universe Quiz

Answer: Dunedin

Dunedin is the capital of the Otago province and seventh largest by population of the New Zealand cities.

Answer: South Island

The South Island is the larger island and is also known as Te Wai Pounamu.

In local mythology, the South Island is the waka (canoe) of Maui who fished up the North Island.

Answer: They were covered by the eruption of Mount Tarawera.

It was believed the Terraces were destroyed by the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886. A research team mapping the floor of Lake Rotomahana rediscovered the Pink Terraces in February, 2011 and the White Terraces in June, 2011. (Dave42007)

Answer: Waikato River

The mighty Waikato River, located in the North Island of New Zealand, is 425kms long.
It starts at the north end of Lake Taupo, then wends its way through the middle of the North Island before joining the Tasman Sea at Waikato Heads.
(koby1)

Answer: Wellington

New Zealand lies nearly halfway around the world from Greenwich, London. Gisborne is just two degrees west from 180 and Invercargill is about 11 degrees west.
Wellington city at 41 degrees south of the equator, is the southernmost capital of the world.

Answer: Foxton

Himatangi beach is a black sand beach on the lower west coast of the North Island.

Answer: Dunedin

Dunedin was founded in 1848 as the main town in the Free Church of Scotland settlement of Otago. The name is based on 'Dun Eideann', the Scots Gaelic name for Edinburgh. The city grew rapidly during the gold rush of the 1860s and is home to New Zealand's oldest university, the University of Otago.

(Question by Otautau)

Answer: Black

The hot black sand of most of the western beaches is due to the high iron content of the sand.
Piha is a bustling seaside community, with two good surfing beaches.

Beaches in general on the west coast of New Zealand are usually very dangerous for swimming and shipping because of weather and geographical conditions.

Answer: Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui stands at the end of a long peninsula on the other side of Tauranga Harbour. Tauranga is the sixth largest urban area in NZ, and lies on the east coast of the North Island.
The Mount is an extremely popular holiday destination with beautiful beaches, fishing, surfing and sailing. Thousands flock there over summer from all over NZ, with many climbing the 232m 'Mountain' to take in the sights of the gorgeous Bay of Plenty.
(koby1)

Answer: Auckland

Auckland is a former capital of New Zealand and has two beautiful harbours, with the magnificent Waitakere mountains in the background.

Answer: Auckland

The water spring at Khyber Pass Road was of exceptional quality and a number of brewers started off in the valley. The main one was the Great Northern Brewery owned by Mr R. Seccombe. This brewery grew in to one of the largest manufacturers of beer in New Zealand, Lion Nathan.

Answer: Mount Ruapehu

Mt Ruapehu is the highest mountain in the North Island of New Zealand.

It has erupted on many occasions, including causing a major loss of life from a lahar in 1953.

Answer: Thermal activity, mud pools & the Buried Village

The Sulphur city, or Rotovegas as Rotorua is fondly nick named, is an area with high thermal activity, you can smell the sulphur when nearing the city. It has the most amazing bubbling mud pools with geyser eruptions, a fantastic array of thermal spas with the natural thermal waters said to be very therapuetic and the Buried Village site which holds great historic value for its education on the Mt Tarawera eruption in 1886, and a look into the lives of the native Maori back then.
(koby1)

Answer: Between Cadiz and Seville

New Zealand lies mostly opposite (antipodal) to Spain and the Iberian peninsula.

Cadiz and Seville are cities in the south of Spain.

Answer: Southland

Known as "The Heart of Western Southland", Otautau is located halfway between Invercargill and Te Anau.
The main industries are sheep farming and forestry.