Kiwi
This small, flightless bird is nocturnal and uses its long bill to probe the ground for insects and worms, making it unlike almost any other bird on Earth.
Flag of New Zealand
Field Report
New Zealand is a pair of islands tucked in the southern Pacific Ocean, roughly 1,000 miles southeast of Australia, and it is one of the most geographically isolated countries on Earth. The land is full of volcanoes, glaciers, fjords, and rainforests packed into a country about the size of Colorado. It is home to two main groups of people, the indigenous Māori and those whose ancestors came largely from Europe, and today nearly five million people call it home.
From the Field Notebook
Kiwi
This small, flightless bird is nocturnal and uses its long bill to probe the ground for insects and worms, making it unlike almost any other bird on Earth.
Tuatara
The tuatara is a reptile that has lived on New Zealand's islands for more than 200 million years and can live to be over 100 years old.
Hector's Dolphin
One of the world's smallest dolphins, it lives only in the coastal waters around New Zealand and is known for its rounded, black dorsal fin.
Hangi
A traditional Māori meal slow-cooked underground using heated stones, giving the meat and vegetables a deep, earthy, smoky flavor unlike anything from a regular oven.
Pavlova
A dessert with a crisp meringue shell and a soft, marshmallow-like center topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit, claimed proudly by New Zealanders as their own.
Māori Bread (Rewena)
A slightly tangy, dense sourdough bread made from a fermented potato starter, traditionally baked in a cast-iron pot and shared at family gatherings.
New Zealand was the last large landmass on Earth to be settled by humans, with Māori ancestors arriving by canoe from Polynesia only about 700 years ago.
New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the right to vote, back in 1893.
About 70 percent of New Zealand's electricity comes from renewable sources like geothermal vents and rivers, because the islands sit on a very active part of the Earth's crust.
New Zealand has more sheep per person than almost any other country, with roughly five sheep for every one human living there.
The entire country sits on the boundary of two tectonic plates, which is why it has active volcanoes, geysers, and earthquakes on a regular basis.
Daily Life
83
Years life expectancy
99%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
New Zealand is home to 60 distinct people groups — 19 of them haven’t yet heard about Jesus.
About half of New Zealand's people follow Christianity (50.8%). Evangelical Christians make up about 17.8% of the population.
What People Believe
Unreached People Groups
These are communities of people who haven’t had the chance to hear about Jesus yet. They need missionaries — and they need kids like you to pray for them.
South Asian, general
177,000 people
Hindi
73,000 people
Gujarati
27,000 people
Japanese
25,000 people
Punjabi
22,000 people
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.