People
Edmund Hillary
Auckland, New Zealand
With Tenzing Norgay, he reached the summit of Mount Everest on 29 May 1953, and later helped build schools and clinics for Sherpa communities.
Lived: 1919–2008 · Known for: Climber and explorer
New Zealand: leaders, famous people, culture and history
6 places on the atlas covering people, language, culture, festivals, folklore and crafts. Highlights include Edmund Hillary, Māori (te reo Māori), Haka and Waitangi Day.
See New Zealand on the map Etiquette guide
What is on the atlas
- People Edmund Hillary
- Language Māori (te reo Māori)
- Culture Haka
- Festivals Waitangi Day
- Folklore Māui
- Crafts Whakairo (Māori carving)
Who leads New Zealand?
| King | Charles III |
|---|---|
| Governor-General | Cindy Kiro |
| Prime Minister | Christopher Luxon |
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check New Zealand’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from New Zealand
- Edmund Hillary mountaineer
- Ernest Rutherford physicist
- Kate Sheppard leader of the women's suffrage movement
- Katherine Mansfield writer
- Peter Jackson film director
- Te Rauparaha Maori chief and warrior
- Jacinda Ardern former Prime Minister
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
Etiquette tips for New Zealand
- Greeting A handshake and friendly chat. At a marae, there is a formal welcome (powhiri); follow the lead of your hosts. A hongi (pressing noses) may be offered.
- Home Take off shoes in a home. Do not sit on tables or put food on pillows, which is considered disrespectful.
- Talk Try a few words of te reo Māori, such as 'Kia ora'.
All etiquette tips for New Zealand
People in New Zealand
Language in New Zealand
Language
Māori (te reo Māori)
Wellington, New Zealand
Te reo Māori became an official language of New Zealand in 1987 and has been revitalised through immersion schools.
Say hello: Kia ora · Script: Latin with macrons
Culture in New Zealand
Culture
Haka
Rotorua, New Zealand
A forceful group performance of chanting, stamping and gestures, once used before battle and now at welcomes, celebrations and sporting events.
Tradition: Māori ceremonial performance
Festivals in New Zealand
Festivals
Waitangi Day
Waitangi, Northland, New Zealand
The national day marks the 1840 signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, with ceremonies at the Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands.
Usually: 6 February · Theme: National day · Months: February
Folklore in New Zealand
Folklore
Māui
Northland (approximate), New Zealand
In many Polynesian traditions, the hero Māui tricks the sun, fishes up islands from the sea and brings fire to humans. Versions of his story are told across the Pacific.
Kind: Legend
Crafts in New Zealand
Crafts
Whakairo (Māori carving)
Rotorua, New Zealand
Carvers produce intricate patterned work for meeting houses and ornaments. The New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute teaches it in Rotorua.
Craft: Wood, bone and greenstone carving
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead New Zealand today, a short selection of well-known people from New Zealand, and the 6 places pinned for New Zealand on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see New Zealand on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the people page, language page, culture page, festivals page, folklore page and crafts page.
Questions about New Zealand
Who is the leader of New Zealand?
As of July 2026: King: Charles III; Governor-General: Cindy Kiro; Prime Minister: Christopher Luxon. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from New Zealand?
Well-known people connected with New Zealand include Edmund Hillary (mountaineer), Ernest Rutherford (physicist), Kate Sheppard (leader of the women's suffrage movement), Katherine Mansfield (writer) and Peter Jackson (film director).
Which famous people from New Zealand are pinned on the atlas?
People pinned for New Zealand include Edmund Hillary. Open the map to read a short summary of each.
What festivals are celebrated in New Zealand?
Festivals on the atlas for New Zealand include Waitangi Day. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What languages and scripts is New Zealand known for?
Language entries for New Zealand on the atlas include Māori (te reo Māori). Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What traditional crafts is New Zealand known for?
Traditional crafts from New Zealand on the atlas include Whakairo (Māori carving). Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What food and customs is New Zealand known for?
Food and customs from New Zealand on the atlas include Haka. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What folklore and music does New Zealand have?
Folklore and music from New Zealand on the atlas include Māui. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore New Zealand on the map?
Choose See New Zealand on the map above, or search for New Zealand on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.
What etiquette should visitors know in New Zealand?
Greeting: A handshake and friendly chat. At a marae, there is a formal welcome (powhiri); follow the lead of your hosts. A hongi (pressing noses) may be offered. Home: Take off shoes in a home. Do not sit on tables or put food on pillows, which is considered disrespectful. These are general customs, not legal advice.