Kiwis poke fun at 'Putin's enemies' world map with New Zealand in wrong place

Kiwis are poking fun at a world map that shows New Zealand on the wrong side of Australia, in the Indian Ocean. 

The map, from Amazing Maps, is meant to illustrate which countries are on Russia's 'unfriendly' list, but the placement of New Zealand has raised questions among Kiwis. 

The map sparked lighthearted mocking after it was posted to Twitter with the caption, "Why is New Zealand in the Indian Ocean?"

"New Zealand actually orbits Australia the same way the Earth orbits the Sun," one social media user mused. 

"Oh cool. I always wanted to visit Perth. Now it's closer," another joked.

"Don't knock it...the Indian Ocean is gorgeous this time of the year. I'm all for it," another added. 

"Does NZ even exist?  Isn't it fictional like Middle Earth or Asgard?" someone else joked. 

While someone else referenced New Zealand's tendency to be left off maps saying, "We’re just happy to be included". 

It was a sentiment shared by another user who added: "Just be grateful we are on the damned map at all."

The placement seems to be a theme for Amazing Maps with every other world map on their social media page also showing New Zealand in the Indian Ocean. Social media users mused perhaps Aotearoa was moved to make way for the company's logo which is in the bottom right-hand corner. 

Regardless, it's not the first time New Zealand hasn't been in the right spot on a map. 

In fact, New Zealand is misplaced or simply left off maps so much that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern teamed up with comedian  Rhys Darby in 2018 to address the issue. 

Ardern and Darby joined forces to create a video questioning why Aotearoa was continuously left off world maps. 

The video was supported by Tourism NZ with its chief executive Stephen England-Hall pointing out New Zealand is bigger than the UK. 

"As a world-class destination, it's unfathomable that New Zealand is left off world maps," England-Hall said.

"New Zealand is bigger than the United Kingdom. We're over two-thirds the size of Japan and Germany. We have a lake the size of Singapore, a mountain range larger than the European Alps, and more coastline than California."

So perhaps being put in the wrong place is better than being missing entirely.