This document outlines an "NZ-a-Thon" event for Years 5 and 6 students with various questions and activities about New Zealand geography, history, culture and government. It is divided into three weeks covering topics like New Zealand places, famous citizens, industries and unusual facts. Students are tasked with answering questions, conducting interviews, researching topics, making posters and participating in activities to earn stamps in their "NZ-a-Thon passport". The goal is to help students learn more about New Zealand through an engaging set of questions, research assignments and cultural experiences.

1. NZ-a-Thon Years 5 and 6

2. Week 1 Our Place

3. 1. Yes please, take me on a gondola ride in 3 different places. Where would I be?

4. 2. Real? Tell me more.

5. 3.Where in the world…. Where would you find the first or old Zealand?

6. 4. The Volcanic Lake I was made after a large volcanic eruption. Now I’m full of water. When did this happen? Where did this happen? What is my name now?

7. 5.We once used British currency. Tell me more.

8. 6. One of our cities was ranked in the top ten as one of the best places to live in the world. Which city was it?

9. 7. I’ve had my name changed. What are my two names?

10. 8. Spell the name of the piece of water between our bottom 2 islands.

11. 9.The Maori name for my city is….

12. 10.Chosen to be the first capital city of NZ. Where and why?

13. 11. I want to visit the sports adventure capital of the world. Where should I go?

14. 12. I heard someone talk about our Pacific rim of fire. I’m not sure what they meant. Please explain.

15. 13. Almost one third of New Zealand’s land is protected. I wonder what that means?

16. 14. Our website Why do we have that old house in the top corner? What does PTA and BOT mean? Why do we need them? What is our Vision? We are the only Willowbank in New Zealand aren’t we?

17. 15. What do we mean? WhenuaTaongaWaiataNaumaiMaungaWhangaAwhina Manawa

18. Week 2 Citizenship

19. 16.He is afamous New Zealand movie director. He knows Gollum. What is his name?

20. 17. Interview someone who has recently moved to New Zealand. Find out why they chose New Zealand to be theirnew home.

21. 18. World famous motorcycle man. Who was he and where would you find his famous bike?

22. 19. NZ wins Olympic gold. Give 4 examples. What are we good at?

23. 20. World War ll A famous white mouse with no tail or whiskers! Who am I and what did I do?

24. 21.Hone Heke. Who are you? What did you do? Where is the site that commemorates your actions?

25. 22. He won the Billy Taward. What is the Billy T Award?

26. 23.I am named after my famous inventor . Whowas that?

27. 24. Why Me? Famous person on our $100 note.

28. 25. “May our mountains ever be Freedom's ramparts on the sea” A quote from…..meaning….

29. 26.New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the vote, when and why did this happen?Who was the most famous New Zealand suffragette?

30. 27. Fantastic here comesanother holiday! Find out about our national holidays. How many are there? When do they usually fall? Do we always get a holiday?

31. 28. When can I ……? Vote in the general elections? Get my full driver’s licence? Leave school? Join the police?

32. 29. What do you have to do to become a New Zealand citizen?

33. Research a famous New Zealander. Make a poster with your findings.

34. Week 3 That’s Unusual!

35. Research... Dark days for New Zealand. Choose one and write a paragraph explaining what happened.

36. 30. Translation please “I’m a bit skint.” “Shake a leg.” “No need to throw a wobbly.” “Haven’t seen you for yonks.” “They live in the wop wops.”

37. 31. What’s the next line?“If it weren’t for your gumboots where would you be? …”

38. 32. Auckland is known as the City of Sails. What statistic backs this up ?

39. 33. New Zealand is the first country in the world to see each new day. In what NZ city does this happen?

40. 34. New Zealand is home to many wonderful authors, but what is our best selling NZ book?

41. 35. NZ is said to have the longest place name consisting of 85 letters. Where is this place? Write it down accurately in your NZ-a-thon passport.

42. 36. Number 8 wire is often used for fences on New Zealand farms. What else does it represent?

43. 37. “New Zealand is not a small country but a large village” A famous quote by….. It means……..

44. 38. What is our only native mammal?

45. 39. Find out what New Zealand’s 5 most popular sports are.

46. 40. Why do I have a reputation as the naughtiest parrot in the world?

47. 41. Our international dialling code is…. What would I have to call if I was in Adelaide and I wanted to call Willowbank School.

48. 42. Who lived here?

49. Research-Government I’ve just moved to your country. Please explain your system of government to me.

50. Research-I’m moving from the United States to New Zealand. I’d like to bring my dog. Is that allowed? What is quarantine? Why do you have it? What costs would I incur?

51. Research Name 5 key New Zealand industries. Choose 1 to research further. You can choose how to present this information to your class.

52. Activities (each activity is worth 5 stamps) Make your awhinaanimal and share 5 interesting facts about it. Learn and perform a waiata or haka Complete an orienteering activity at lunch time (1 or more) Visit the library and complete a library activity (1 or more) Make a model of Willowbank School Where in New Zealand is George? – see separate PDF