Now, they do not celebrate Thanksgiving here in NZ, but I figured while everyone was busy 'stuffing' their face, I would pass along a mouth full of my own.
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapiki-maungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu
New Zealand has the second longest place name in the world. At 85 or 92 letter depending on the version, the name tells the story of Taumata, a famous chief and warrior. When traveling back through the north island, Taumata encountered a tribe at this hill who he had to fight in order to pass. In this battle, Taumata lost his brother, an event that grieved him so that he remained at the spot and played his Koauau, a Maori flute, every morning.
Hence, this hilltop's name roughly translates to"The hilltop where Tamatea with big knees, conqueror of mountains, eater of land, traveller over land and sea, played his koauau to his beloved."
Or something like that!
It is still considered by many to be the worlds longest place name, though it may be that a place in Bangkok has edged Taumata out.
Hungry for more?
Check out these othe great New Zealand facts:
- Less than five per cent of New Zealand's population is human - the rest are animals. This is one of the highest ratios of animals to humans in the world
- The tuatara, a lizard-like creature found only in New Zealand, is the oldest living genus of reptile in the world. Its ancestry can be traced back 190 million years to the dinosaur age
- Frying Pan Lake, near Rotorua, is the world's largest hot water spring, with temperatures reaching 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit) at its deepest point
- New Zealand has 15,811km (9824 miles) of coastline, and no matter where you are in the country, you are never more than 128km from the ocean
- There are more golf courses per capita in New Zealand than any other country in the world - with 400 courses, that's one for every 10,000 people
- There are more Scottish pipe bands per head of population in New Zealand than in Scotland
I'm so thankful to be living here in New Zealand with Wells and for all of my family and friends back home. Have a Happy Turkey Day, everyone!
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