New Zealand Slang Guide: 100 Essential Terms for Sounding Kiwi

New Zealand Slang Guide

New Zealand, a beautiful country known for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and friendly locals, is also home to one of the most unique and entertaining dialects in the world. New Zealand English, or “Kiwi English,” is peppered with colloquialisms and slang that can be quite different from the English spoken in other parts of the world. If you’re planning to visit or interact with Kiwis, understanding their slang will help you fit in and engage in conversations more naturally.

This guide will take you through 100 essential New Zealand slang terms, explaining their meanings, and how to use them in everyday conversations. Whether you’re a tourist looking to understand the locals better or a language enthusiast interested in regional dialects, this comprehensive guide will enhance your understanding of New Zealand’s unique linguistic landscape.

What Is Kiwi Slang?

Kiwi slang is a mix of words and phrases that have developed over the years in New Zealand. Some of these terms are unique to New Zealand, while others have been adopted from Māori (the language of the indigenous people of New Zealand), British English, and Australian slang. New Zealanders often use slang in casual conversations, social settings, and even in the workplace, making it an essential part of daily life in the country.

Kiwi slang is often playful, creative, and sometimes hard to understand for outsiders. However, once you familiarize yourself with the terms, you’ll notice that it adds charm and authenticity to the Kiwi culture. The beauty of learning Kiwi slang is not just about understanding the words, but also about embracing the laid-back and friendly attitude that characterizes New Zealanders.

Why Is Learning Kiwi Slang Important?

For travelers and new residents in New Zealand, understanding Kiwi slang is crucial for connecting with locals and feeling more immersed in the culture. Using the right slang can help break the ice in conversations and demonstrate that you’re making an effort to fit in. Additionally, many of the slang terms reflect important aspects of Kiwi culture, such as their love of sports, the outdoors, and their strong sense of community.

Moreover, mastering Kiwi slang can enrich your travel experience. If you visit a café or shop, for example, you’ll hear locals using slang terms regularly. Knowing these expressions will help you understand what they mean, making your interactions more enjoyable and authentic.

100 Essential Kiwi Slang Terms

1. Aroha – Love, compassion (Māori word)
2. Arvo – Afternoon
3. Bach – A holiday home or beach house
4. Banger – A great song or a sausage
5. Biscuit – Cookie
6. Bloke – Man or guy
7. Chur – Thanks or acknowledgment
8. Chilly bin – Cooler or ice chest
9. Choice – Great or awesome
10. Cuz – Short for cousin, often used to refer to a friend
11. Dairy – Corner shop or convenience store
12. Dodgy – Suspicious or questionable
13. Eezy – Easy
14. Eftpos – Debit or credit card payment system
15. Fush and chups – Fish and chips
16. Giz a look – Give me a look
17. Good as gold – Perfect or excellent
18. Heaps – A lot or plenty
19. Hoon – A person who drives recklessly
20. Jandals – Flip-flops or sandals
21. Kaka – A type of native parrot, also used to describe a clumsy person
22. Keen – Interested or enthusiastic
23. Kiwi – A New Zealander or the national bird
24. Kumara – Sweet potato
25. L&P – Lemon & Paeroa, a famous Kiwi soft drink
26. Lollies – Sweets or candy
27. Munted – Broken or destroyed
28. Naki – Someone from Taranaki, a region in New Zealand
29. No worries – No problem
30. Oi – Hey or listen
31. Pakeha – A non-Māori New Zealander (often used to refer to white people)
32. Pash – A passionate kiss
33. Pavlova – A meringue-based dessert, a Kiwi favorite
34. Pineapple lumps – A popular Kiwi candy
35. Pukana – A traditional Māori facial expression made during a haka
36. Reckon – Think or believe
37. Rimu – A type of tree native to New Zealand
38. Scarfie – A student, particularly one living in a student flat
39. Shag – A type of bird or to have sex
40. She’ll be right – Everything will be fine
41. Sike – To trick or deceive
42. Smoko – A break, especially for a cigarette
43. Squiz – A quick look
44. Tiki tour – A scenic detour or journey
45. Togs – Swimsuit or swimming gear
46. Tui – A native bird, also associated with humorous ads
47. Whānau – Family (Māori word)
48. Wop-wops – Remote or rural area
49. Yarn – A chat or conversation
50. Yous – You all (plural form of “you”)
51. Biff – A fight or argument
52. Bludger – A lazy person
53. Bollocks – Nonsense or rubbish
54. Bro – Brother, friend
55. Chucked – Thrown or discarded
56. Clobber – Clothes
57. Dodge – Avoid or skip
58. Eftpos machine – Payment terminal
59. Flash as – Fancy or expensive
60. Garn – Go on, a term used for encouragement
61. Giz a hug – Give me a hug
62. Grumpy guts – Someone who is always in a bad mood
63. Haka – A traditional Māori war dance
64. Haggle – To bargain
65. Kekeno – A type of seal
66. Kumara fries – A popular dish made from sweet potatoes
67. Lash – To go out, often used for drinking
68. Moolah – Money
69. Nana nap – A short sleep, often during the afternoon
70. Niff – Smell or odor
71. Nutter – A crazy or eccentric person
72. Pukeko – A native bird with striking blue and red coloring
73. Puker – A bad person or a “dodgy” individual
74. Rattle your dags – Hurry up
75. Rubbish – Trash or something of poor quality
76. Scarf – Eat quickly
77. Suss out – To check or investigate
78. Tally-ho – A cheer or expression of excitement
79. Tiki – A Māori cultural artifact or symbol
80. Toot – A short sound made with a horn, often used as a warning
81. Wicked – Amazing or excellent
82. Wop – A derogatory term for a remote area
83. Whare – House or home (Māori word)
84. Whānau ora – Health and wellbeing for the whole family
85. Whinge – Complain
86. Wicked as – Really great or awesome
87. Yakka – Hard work
88. Yum – Delicious or tasty
89. Zorb – A giant inflatable ball that you roll inside
90. Zesty – Lively or enthusiastic
91. Ace – Really good or top-notch
92. Brolly – Umbrella
93. Chinwag – A chat
94. Crowd – A group of people, often used in casual settings
95. Cuzzy – Cousin or close friend
96. Deck – A platform, usually outdoors, like a patio or balcony
97. Dinger – A very good or impressive thing
98. Fluffy – A type of hot drink, similar to a cappuccino but without coffee
99. Gizz a break – Give me a break
100. Hokey pokey – Honeycomb toffee, often used in ice cream

Conclusion

Kiwi slang is an essential part of New Zealand’s identity, and learning these 100 slang terms will help you communicate more naturally with locals. Whether you are traveling to New Zealand or simply want to impress your Kiwi friends, this guide to Kiwi slang is a fantastic resource. Embrace the humor, creativity, and cultural nuances of these terms, and you’ll find yourself sounding like a true Kiwi in no time!

Remember, using slang is all about understanding the culture and context. So, next time you’re in New Zealand, don’t be afraid to toss around a “chur” or shout out “she’ll be right!” as you explore the country’s stunning landscapes and vibrant cities.

See Also: Canadian Slang Guide: 100 Essential Terms to Talk Like a Canuck