“Because I Live In New Zealand”: 50 Reasons For New Zealanders To Flex

According to the Tourism New Zealand website, New Zealand is a country with a history of Māori, European, Pacific Island, and Asian immigration, which is now home to roughly five million people.

Out of the aforementioned, Māori were the first to arrive in New Zealand, having made their way from Hawaiki in canoes roughly 1,000 years ago.

The country consists of two main islands – the North Island and the South Island, the former of which is dominated by the Volcanic Plateau, an active volcanic and thermal area. Both of the two islands are adorned with rolling farmland, some adjacent to the mountain ranges running through the middle of the North Island and some – next to the Southern Alps in the South Island.

In addition to the two main landmasses, New Zealand reportedly has around 600 smaller islands.

As with most places in the world, there are countless reasons to visit New Zealand, from picturesque nature to exciting adventures and activities that the country has to offer.

But New Zealand is definitely not like many other places in the world; it’s a unique country boasting glaciers next to wonderful beaches and surf spots, in addition to incredible sites, such as the Hot Water Beach.

While marvels of nature are undoubtedly some of the main attractions for travelers, certain man-made wonders are worth paying a visit to, too. And yes, that includes the sets of Lord Of The Rings, such as the town of Hobbiton. Featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, the site is expected to greet around 570,000 visitors this season, 85% of whom travel from overseas, Waikato Business News reports.

For those who are not big fans of the Lord Of The Rings movies, visiting the set might not look that appealing. But even they must realize that for a huge LOTR enthusiast, few things would be more enthralling than roaming the locations where the gems of the early 2000s cinema were filmed.

Luckily for them, the set is open for visitors, so immersing yourself into the world of Hobbiton is actually possible. A guided tour through the set typically includes visiting Bag End, Bagshot Row, the Millhouse, and Hobbit’s home, among other things, and allows you to catch a glimpse of the colorful Hobbit Hole doors and many more charming sights.

Another unique attraction in New Zealand that might make you feel as if you stepped right into a movie is the spectacular Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Presented as Mother Nature’s lights display and one of New Zealand’s best natural attractions, the cave is dotted with thousands of glowworms (Arachnocampa luminosa) that radiate luminescent light, which, in the darkness of the cave, is surely a sight to behold.