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Famous New Zealanders (1) Trivia Quiz

For such a small country, there have been a lot of Kiwis to make headlines. See how much you know about some NZers who have made international headlines. The questions are in chronological order and are predominantly post World War II.

A multiple-choice quiz by ed2031. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
ed2031

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
251,587

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
11 / 15

Plays
2223

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: callie_ross (0/15), Guest 210 (7/15), Guest 192 (9/15).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. In the 1880s and 1890s Kate Sheppard was a key figure in what? Hint

Introducing prohibition.

Legalising prostitution.

Securing the vote for women.

Banning arranged marriages.

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Question 2 of 15

2. Featured on the NZ $100 note, Ernest Rutherford won the 1908 Nobel Prize for what? Hint

Chemistry.

Mathematics.

Peace.

Literature.

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Question 3 of 15

3. "Where she goes, we go. Where she stands, we stand", was declared by Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage on 3 September 1939. Who is the "she" he is referring to? Hint

Great Britain.

Germany.

USA.

Mae West.

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Question 4 of 15

4. Charles Upham is New Zealand's most famous ... ? Hint

Writer.

Soldier.

Runner.

Painter.

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Question 5 of 15

5. In 1952 Yvette Williams was the first New Zealand woman to do what? Hint

Enter Parliament.

Give birth to quadruplets.

Have a sex change.

Win an Olympic gold medal.

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Question 6 of 15

6. Who became New Zealand's Head of State in 1952? Hint

Queen Elizabeth II.

Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.

Helen Clark.

Fidel Castro.

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Question 7 of 15

7. Sticking with 1953, who uttered the immortal line "We knocked the bastard off"? Hint

Edmund Hillary

Peter Fraser

Queen Elizabeth II

Peter Snell

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Question 8 of 15

8. Colin Meads, New Zealand's most famous and respected "All Black", was dominant in the late 1950s and 1960s. In what position did he play the majority of his rugby for New Zealand? Hint

Halfback.

Flanker.

Lock.

Prop.

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Question 9 of 15

9. In 1964, Peter Snell, NZ's greatest runner, won two gold medals on the track at the Tokyo Olympics. In what two distances did he win? Hint

400m and 800m.

800m and 1500m.

100m and 200m.

1500m and 3000m.

10. In 1979 New Zealand suffered its worst non-natural tragedy when Air New Zealand flight 901 crashed into Mt Erebus in the Antarctic killing all 257 people on board. Which notable New Zealander was scheduled to be the guide on that flight but had to pull out due to other work commitments? Hint

Robert Muldoon.

John Walker.

Edmund Hillary.

Ian Ferguson.

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Question 11 of 15

11. Arguably NZ's most dominant politician was Sir Robert Muldoon who kept a tight grip on things from 1975-1984. Muldoon, as well as being a formidable politician, also fancied himself as a what? Hint

Ballroom dancer.

Actor.

Classical pianist.

Cartoonist.

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Question 12 of 15

12. In the 1980s the New Zealand entertainment scene was dominated by one man. He was ... ? Hint

Chic Littlewood

Jonah Lomu

Billy T. James

Matthew Ridge

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Question 13 of 15

13. Who was the key figure in determining New Zealand's staunch anti-nuclear policy which strained relations with the USA and is still in place? Hint

Robert Muldoon

Mike Moore

Keith Holoyoake

David Lange

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Question 14 of 15

14. One of New Zealand's most famous novels was published in 1990. It deals with an urban Maori family and also with the subject of domestic violence. Made into an outstanding film in 1994 this book's author is? Hint

Katherine Mansfield

Alan Duff

Frank Sargeson

Ngaio Marsh

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Question 15 of 15

15. New Zealand's most notable citizen of late is film-maker Peter Jackson. For what film did he receive his first Oscar nomination? Hint

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Heavenly Creatures

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 07 2024 : callie_ross: 0/15
Nov 07 2024 : Guest 210: 7/15
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 192: 9/15
Oct 26 2024 : Guest 49: 9/15
Sep 22 2024 : Guest 115: 10/15

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In the 1880s and 1890s Kate Sheppard was a key figure in what?

Answer: Securing the vote for women.

New Zealand was the first country to give women the vote at national level - in 1893. Sheppard appears on the NZ $10 note.

2. Featured on the NZ $100 note, Ernest Rutherford won the 1908 Nobel Prize for what?

Answer: Chemistry.

One of NZ's most famous sons, it is Rutherford who is credited for splitting the atom. Although he spent most of his life in Canada and the UK he was always quick to point out that he was a proud New Zealander.

3. "Where she goes, we go. Where she stands, we stand", was declared by Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage on 3 September 1939. Who is the "she" he is referring to?

Answer: Great Britain.

NZ was one of the first allies to declare war on Germany. Savage is generally considered NZ's greatest prime minister. He formed the first Labour government in 1935 and he died in office in 1940.

4. Charles Upham is New Zealand's most famous ... ?

Answer: Soldier.

Charles Upham is only the third man to win two Victoria Crosses and the only one to receive it twice in WW2.

5. In 1952 Yvette Williams was the first New Zealand woman to do what?

Answer: Win an Olympic gold medal.

Yvette Williams won the gold medal in the long jump at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics with a jump of 6.24 metres.

6. Who became New Zealand's Head of State in 1952?

Answer: Queen Elizabeth II.

A constitutional monarchy, NZ recognises the reigning British monarch as its Head of State.

7. Sticking with 1953, who uttered the immortal line "We knocked the bastard off"?

Answer: Edmund Hillary

This most famous of all New Zealand quotes was uttered by Hillary upon his arrival back at base camp after being the first to successfully scale Mt Everest. Hillary went on climb other Himalayan peaks and lead Antarctic expeditions. He also acted as High Commissioner to India, Nepal, and Bangladesh and is much revered in Nepal for his philanthropy.

He regularly tops polls as New Zealand's most loved and admired citizen.

8. Colin Meads, New Zealand's most famous and respected "All Black", was dominant in the late 1950s and 1960s. In what position did he play the majority of his rugby for New Zealand?

Answer: Lock.

Meads started his career as flanker and number 8 but it was as a lock (number 5) that he became celebrated as arguably the greatest "All Black" of all time. (Hard to imagine him as a halfback!) He aslo had a successful career as a rugby administrator.

These days Meads regularly appears on television advertising farming or health products and had some amusing comments to make about former All Black captain Anton Oliver posing nude for a portrait.

9. In 1964, Peter Snell, NZ's greatest runner, won two gold medals on the track at the Tokyo Olympics. In what two distances did he win?

Answer: 800m and 1500m.

Snell also won the 800m in Rome in 1960. Dr Peter Snell has lived in the USA since 1971. Ironically for a great athlete and Doctor of Exercise Physiology, he used to work for a tobacco company!

Answer: Edmund Hillary.

His place was taken by his friend Peter Mulgrew. Tragically, Hillary had also lost his first wife and his youngest daughter in a plane crash in 1975. Hillary married June, Peter Mulgrew's widow, in 1989 with the blessing of the nation.

Answer: Actor.

Muldoon appeared as the narrator in the NZ stage production of "The Rocky Horror Show", had a regular role on the children's TV adventure series "Terry and the Gunrunners" and hosted "The Friday Frights". He will also be remembered for his drunken announcement of a snap election, his outstanding tie collection, and his immortal quote that New Zealanders who emigrated to Australia "raised the average IQ of both countries".

12. In the 1980s the New Zealand entertainment scene was dominated by one man. He was ... ?

Answer: Billy T. James

William James Taitoko is a legend in NZ entertainment as a comic, an actor, and very underrated singer. His death in August 1991 led to national mourning and then controversy as family factions argued over where he was to be buried. Fittingly, he is buried on Taupiri Mountain surrounded by great chiefs and Maori royalty. Chic Littlewood, a fabulous entertainer in his own right, is loved by a generation of NZers (myself included) for "Chic Chat" with Willie McNab.

13. Who was the key figure in determining New Zealand's staunch anti-nuclear policy which strained relations with the USA and is still in place?

Answer: David Lange

In a remarkable Oxford Union debate in 1985, then Prime Minister David Lange argued for the moot "That nuclear weapons are morally indefensible". The debate is best known for his request to Jerry Falwell to hold his breath - "I can smell the uranium on it as you lean forward".

Answer: Alan Duff

Duff's "Once Were Warriors" is one of the most significant contributions to NZ's literary history. A controversial character for his outspoken criticisms of Maori leadership,(Duff himself is Maori of Ngati Rangitihi and Tuwharetoa descent), he is nonetheless respected by supporters and opponents alike for his fearlessness and his "Books in Homes" scheme launched in 1995 which provides books for low-income families in a bid to reduce illiteracy.

15. New Zealand's most notable citizen of late is film-maker Peter Jackson. For what film did he receive his first Oscar nomination?

Answer: Heavenly Creatures

Although he won best director for "LOTR: The Return of the King" and was nominated for "LOTR: The Fellowship of the King", he actually received his first nomination in 1995 for Best Original Screenplay for "Heavenly Creatures". This excellent film starred Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey in the true story about two friends who conspire to kill one of their mothers.
It has been tough choosing only 15 great Kiwis. I hope you enjoyed the quiz and perhaps learning something new.

Source: Author ed2031

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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