It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.
Sir Edmund Hillary
New Zealand has produced many famous people. From explorers and filmmakers to sporting legends and singers, New Zealanders have left their mark on the world. Here are just a few of the country's most famous people.
Sir Edmund Hillary
Throughout New Zealand's history, the country has produced many inspirational people. Take Sir Edmund Hillary, for example. He's one of the world's most celebrated explorers and humanitarians. He was born in Auckland and developed a love for climbing in the Southern Alps. He became an international icon in 1953 when he and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to reach the top of Mount Everest.
Here's an archive video from Hillary and Norgay's Everest climb.
Beyond mountaineering, Hilary spent much of his life doing humanitarian work in Nepal, building schools, hospitals, and airstrips through the Himalayan Trust. He also completed expeditions to the South Pole and the Himalayas. He was knighted in 1953 and named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century.
and 2 hospitals have been built in Nepal.
Peter Jackson
While New Zealand has produced many historical figures, it has also given rise to contemporary figures like Sir Peter Jackson, the filmmaker. His work helped transform New Zealand into a global hub for the film industry. Jackson was born in Pukerua Bay, Wellington, where he began making films as a teenager with a home camera. Eventually, he created cult hits like Bad Taste and Heavenly Creatures. His break came when he adapted J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The trilogy became one of the most successful film series of all time. The Return of the King won 11 Academy Awards in 2004, equalling the all-time Oscar record. Jackson would later direct The Hobbit films and produce documentaries. He helped develop Weta Digital and Weta Workshop, advancing the global film industry while showcasing New Zealand landscapes to viewers worldwide.
When Peter Jackson brought The Lord of the Rings to life on screen, he didn’t just create a cinematic masterpiece; he transformed New Zealand’s global reputation. The trilogy drew worldwide attention to New Zealand’s landscapes, helping spark a tourism boom known as “set-jetting.” Visitors travelled to Wellington, Queenstown, and Matamata to see Middle-earth in real life, boosting both the economy and cultural pride. Beyond tourism, Jackson’s success established New Zealand as a world-class hub for digital effects and filmmaking, with Weta Workshop and Weta Digital leading the way.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is an internationally acclaimed soprano. She was born in Gisborne and adopted by a Māori family. She trained as a mezzo-soprano in Auckland before continuing her studies in London. Her breakthrough came in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro at the Royal Opera House in 1971. She performed at prestigious venues like the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana in 1981. Her rich voice and commanding presence made her one of the most renowned New Zealanders in the arts and one of the country's most celebrated women.
Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe's career has spanned some of Hollywood's most acclaimed films. He was born in Wellington and partly raised in Australia, returning to New Zealand during his early career. His career began on television and the stage before moving into film in the early 1990s. L.A. Confidential, released in 1997, was his breakout.
His role in Gladiator (2000) earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor. He followed this success with roles in A Beautiful Mind (2001) and Master and Commander (2003). He has starred in over 30 international films and, though often associated with Australia, Crowe contributed to the film industries in both countries.
Lorde (Ella Yelich-O’Connor)
Lorde is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter from Takapuna, Auckland. Her 2013 hit single Royals topped charts worldwide and earned her two Grammys by the age of 17. Her debut album, Pure Heroine, cemented her status as a unique pop songwriter. Since then, Lorde has released the critically acclaimed albums Melodrama (2017) and Solar Power (2021). Her genre-bender style and introspective lyrics have made her a voice for a generation of young listeners.
Here's Lorde's music video for Royals.
Sir Richard Hadlee
Sir Richard Hadlee is one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history. He was born in Christchurch, before rising through the ranks of domestic cricket to make his Test debut for New Zealand in 1973.
He became the first bowler to take 400 Test wickets in 1990 and finished his career with 431 wickets. His performances helped New Zealand achieve historic victories, including a series win over Australia in 1985. He was knighted for his services to cricket in 1985 and continues to contribute to the sport through coaching and commentary.
From Sir Richard Hadlee’s record-breaking fast bowling to Jonah Lomu's unforgettable tries in the Rugby World Cup, sport has always been central to New Zealand's identity. Rugby union, cricket, and later Olympic triumphs shaped how New Zealanders saw themselves on the world stage. These sporting figures weren’t just athletes; they became symbols of national unity, resilience, and pride. Their performances are still replayed on television, celebrated in schools, and honoured in sporting halls of fame, reminding the people of New Zealand of their place in the world of sport.
Jonah Lomu
Jonah Lomu was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1975. A revolutionary rugby union player, he rose to prominence during the 1995 Rugby World Cup. His four-try performance against England remains one of the sport's most iconic moments.
Lomu defied what a winger could be with his massive stature, and over his international career, he scored 37 tries in 63 Tests for the All Blacks. He continued to inspire fans worldwide, becoming rugby's first absolute global superstar despite his battles with a chronic kidney illness. His death in 2015 was felt in New Zealand and across the world.
in 63 Tests.
Lucy Lawless
Lucy Lawless is a New Zealand actress and activist known for her role in Xena: Warrior Princess. The show ran for six seasons and was broadcast in over 100 countries, making her a cultural icon and one of New Zealand's most recognisable exports. Beyond acting, Lawless is a vocal advocate for environmental and social issues, working with Greenpeace and other organisations. Balancing Hollywood success with grassroots activism has made her a celebrity and a respected public figure.
Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi is an Oscar-winning director, writer, and actor from Raukokore, Bay of Plenty. Of Māori and Russian-Jewish descent, Waititi's short films and early comedies, such as Eagle vs Shark and Boy, brought him success with their unique blend of humour, heart, and cultural storytelling. He achieved international fame directing Thor: Ragnarok (2017) for Marvel Studios and later won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Jojo Rabbit (2019).
New Zealand’s famous people have shaped culture far beyond their homeland. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa’s performances on opera’s greatest stages, Lorde’s Grammy-winning music, and Taika Waititi's Oscar-winning films all represent a small nation making a significant impact internationally. Alongside them, Lucy Lawless and Russell Crowe brought New Zealand acting talent to global audiences. These cultural exports remind the world that New Zealand is not only about mountains and rugby but also about voices, stories, and performances that reach millions.
Jacinda Ardern
Jacinda Ardern served as New Zealand's Prime Minister from 2017 to 2023. She was one of the world's youngest female heads of government at age 37. She was born in Hamilton and joined the Labour Party as a teenager before entering parliament in 2008. Her leadership gained global recognition during the Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019, with her compassion and decisive response being praised internationally. She also guided New Zealand through the COVID-19 pandemic, earning a reputation for clear communication and strong crisis management.
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