Haere rā – nearly as common as '
Chur. The meaning of chur is essentially thank you. You can use this classic Kiwi slang to show gratitude or appreciation. As explained above, it can also mean "sweet as" or "that's awesome".
Kia Ora is a greeting many people outside of New Zealand are familiar with. It can mean a lot of things, too! Kiwis use it to say hello, good morning, good luck, and take care. It's essentially an all-encompassing way to wish someone well.
Bogan (/ˈboʊɡən/ BOHG-ən) is Australian and New Zealand slang for a person whose speech, clothing, attitude and behaviour are considered unrefined or unsophisticated. Depending on the context, the term can be pejorative or self-deprecating.
Zed is widely known to be used in British English. But it's also used in almost every English-speaking country. In England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Australia, India, Canada (usually), and New Zealand, Z is pronounced as zed.
Bro – ah, an absolute Kiwi staple. Bro is short for brother and is used to describe your best mates (as well as your actual brother). Probably one of the most used Kiwi slang terms and one of our favourites.
Pākehā (or Pakeha without macrons; /ˈpɑːkɛhɑː, -kiːhɑː, -kiːə/; Māori pronunciation: [ˈpaːkɛhaː]) is a Māori-language term for New Zealanders primarily of European descent.
Dunny, a colloquial word for a toilet, is one of them.
'Gumboots' And 'Jandals'
Both are colloquial, loveable Kiwi icons. The Gumboot is not some type of gummy candy, it's simply your wellies or Wellington Boots to use the proper term. A Jandal is your equivalent of a flip-flop or thong (ask the Aussie's for their answer on thongs!).
The Māori proverb, 'aroha atu, aroha mai' means 'love received, love returned'. The rainbow-inspired installation has several layers of meaning. The colours of the rainbow symbolise inclusion, freedom, peace, love and harmony. And in traditional Māori culture, āniwaniwa (rainbows) are a portent of future events.
Ka kite anō
A friendly, informal way to say goodbye to someone you will see again, and sometimes shortened to just ka kite.
The English translation is : Greetings to all.
Pakeha, which is a Maori term for the white inhabitants of New Zealand, was in vogue even prior to 1815. Its original meaning and origin are obscure, but the following are possible origins, the first being the most probable: From pakepakeha: imaginary beings resembling men.
FAQ Questions About All Things Kiwi
It absolutely is ok to call a New Zealander a Kiwi. Though in some countries a nickname like this would be considered offensive, it is anything but in New Zealand. So go ahead and call us Kiwis!
Durrie: Cigarette. “Hey bro, lend us a durrie!” Sweet as: Cool, awesome or no problem.
"Kiwi" (/ˈkiːwi/ KEE-wee) is a common self-reference used by New Zealanders, though it is also used internationally. Unlike many demographic labels, its usage is not considered offensive; rather, it is generally viewed as a symbol of pride and affection for most people of New Zealand.
Abbreviated to BBQ. A framework, as a grill or a spit, or a fireplace for cooking meat or vegetables over an open fire. The crown jewel of any Kiwi backyard in the summertime, the barbie is the Cooker of Food and the Epicentre of Banter.
This word is stereotypically British, so you might be surprised to learn that is a very common New Zealand phrase, too. Bloody is put into any old sentence, and is one of the most common New Zealand slang phrases.
Vowel Play In The New Zealand Accent
While an Australian will claim their “feesh and cheeps” are tops, New Zealanders will tell you their “fush and chups” takes the cake. You see, we Kiwis turn our short I-sounds into U's, so “fish” becomes fush and “chips” sounds more like chups.
In most English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom, the letter's name is zed /zɛd/, reflecting its derivation from the Greek zeta (this dates to Latin, which borrowed Y and Z from Greek), but in American English its name is zee /ziː/, ...
Ringbark is a term used in New Zealand for breaking wind. Green's cites the 2003 Reed's Dictionary of New Zealand Slang, which helpfully notes that “ring is old slang for the anus.” Shoot a bunny is another New Zealand way to say fart.
Munted: When something is really broken or someone is highly intoxicated. As in “That fulla is munted!” Stoked: Pretty happy and chuffed about something.