How much do your kids know about New Zealand? My own kiddo knows a fair amount about Australia, but not much about their island neighbor to the east.
Keep reading to discover 5 great children’s books about New Zealand, plus short videos for kids, and fun facts about Kiwi cultures!
5 Fun Children’s Books about New Zealand
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My New Zealand Colours Book: Learn colours with art and objects from Te Papa
Te Papa Tongarewa, also known as the Museum of New Zealand, published this unusual board book. It introduces children to colors using paintings, sculptures, and other art found at Te Papa. Each page includes the color name in both English and Maori. There’s also a Maori pronounciation guide at the end, plus extra info on each of the art pieces. (Recommended for ages 1 – 4)
Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas by Lynne Cox and Brian Floca
Did you know that an elephant seal could be “strong, powerful and regal, like Elizabeth, the Queen of England”? The people of Christchurch knew when they met an elephant seal who swam up the Avon River to live in the city.
After Elizabeth ventured into the street and nearly caused an accident, city leaders decided she should return to the ocean. But Elizabeth thwarted attempt after attempt to return her to her natural home. Based on a true story, this picture book is sure to delight animal lovers. (Recommended for ages 4 – 9)
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The Maori of New Zealand by Steve Theunissen
This book in the First Peoples series helps elementary age children learn some of the history and culture of New Zealand’s original inhabitants. The history section begins with the arrival of the Maori in New Zealand 1,500 years ago. It discusses European contact and more recent reform movements and cultural revival.
While helping kids to understand aspects of traditional Maori culture, the book also emphasizes that most Maori today live in cities. The author also shares how many Maori today are working to revive and preserve their language and cultural traditions. (Recommended for ages 6 – 12)
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Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot by Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop
Kakapo parrots aren’t like other parrots. They are flightless and they live in underground nests. After their habitats became invaded by predators (introduced by humans), they nearly went extinct by the 1950s.
Today, the New Zealand National Kakapo Recovery Team works in an isolated refuge to revive the species. To visit, people must make a long journey and disinfect every single one of their belongings first.
The beautiful photographs in this detailed book will inspire eco-conscious kids and adults alike. (Recommended for ages 8 – 12)
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New Zealand ABCs by Holly Schroeder and Claudia Wolf
The letters in this ABC book cover history (Pacific Islanders settled New Zealand about 1,200 years ago); nature (it’s one of only three countries worldwide that has geysers); culture (the Maori people cook special feasts in underground ovens called umus); and more.
Each letter provides a basic introduction to the topic. If you have an inquisitive child, they may be inspired to do more research online. (Recommended for ages 4 – 8).
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Videos about New Zealand for kids
This short video from NPR introduces kids to Kapa Haka, a traditional Maori art form. Kapa haka, “was about not only intimidating the opponents, but it was about how do we actually prevent degenerating into a battle?” says Karl Johnstone. “We perform haka as an expression of pride.” (Note: you may need to click on the Facebook icon in the bottom right corner of the video screen to hear the music.)
Young travelers TJ and Tristan head out with National Geographic Kids to visit a New Zealand farm, make the dessert pavlova, and meet a kiwi bird.
I get a big kick out of Hiho Kids’ videos of children trying foods from different countries. In this video, kids try snacks from New Zealand.
Fun Facts about New Zealand
- Kiwis are all of the above: a fuzzy, round flightless bird, and fuzzy, round brown fruit, a person born in New Zealand, and a New Zealand dollar.
- The country’s most famous insect is the weta, similar to a giant cricket. The Maori word for it is wetapunga, which means “god of ugly things.”
- The Parliament building in Wellington is known as the Beehive because of its shape.
- There are approximately ten sheep for every person who lives in New Zealand.
- Many films have been made in New Zealand, including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series.
- The steepest street in the world is located in Dunedin, New Zealand.
- New Zealand is the first country in the world to see a new day.
