The most common New Zealand slang for "died" is "carked it," meaning something or someone has stopped working or passed away, often used for both people and inanimate objects like a car, alongside the widely understood "kicked the bucket". Other less common or more general euphemisms like "passed away" are also used.
'Passed Away' was the most popular term used(49%) followed by 'Kick the bucket' (24%). 'Dying', 'death' and 'dead' are commonly substituted with alternative phrases to be less harsh or blunt.
When you hear someone say "he's such a dag" it means a quirky or funny person who is a bit of a character.
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".
Popular Kiwi Sayings and Phrases
The best one among them is Reo Ora!
Bogan (/ˈboʊɡən/ BOHG-ən) is Australian and New Zealand slang to describe a person whose speech, clothing, behaviour, or attitudes are considered unrefined or unsophisticated. Depending on the context, the term can be used pejoratively or in a humorous, self-deprecating manner.
Kiwi is not generally considered to be a derogatory term, but there are New Zealanders, particularly some with Māori heritage, who find the appellation jarring and prefer not to identify with it.
dag. An unfashionable person; a person lacking style or character; a socially awkward adolescent, a 'nerd'. These senses of dag derive from an earlier Australian sense of dag meaning 'a "character", someone eccentric but entertainingly so'.
Short for "Japanese sandals," “jandals” are what New Zealanders call flip-flops. They're the go-to footwear for Kiwis during the summer months.
6 things NOT to say to a Kiwi
Common Australian slang for a girl includes "Sheila" (older, sometimes dated or slightly derogatory), "chick," or just using general terms like "mate," "gal," or "lass," with context and tone being important, but "girl" is still widely used; some slang, like "moll," can refer to a girlfriend or a promiscuous woman, while "bogan" describes an unsophisticated person.
The unsuccessful racehorse Drongo was named after the bird, which led to the Australian slang insult "drongo" meaning "idiot".
When someone says "I'm dead," they are not literally referring to their physical state but rather emphasizing their emotional response. It can be used to indicate that something was so funny or unexpected that it figuratively "killed" them with laughter or surprise.
'cark it' - To die.
simply, to kill (someone); chiefly refl., to commit suicide. slang.” The first citation meaning commit suicide is from 1958: “He also took my tie and belt so that I could not top myself.” Reply.
(slang, chiefly Australia, New Zealand) To report (a person) to someone in authority for a wrongdoing. I'll dob on you if you break in. You dobbed me in!
Durries and darts: the quintessentially Aussie slang for cigarettes.
1. G'day! This is a way to say “hello!” and it literally means “good day”.
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. From pakehakeha: one of the sea gods.
If you were a New Zealander living or holidaying in Australia, and the locals said “Are you from Kiwi? Yeah that's cool, I have family over in Kiwi too”.
It is particularly crude to pick at your nose in public. Spitting in public places and/or in front of people is considered extremely rude. It is common for New Zealanders to greet people with a brief 'Hello' when you walk past them. It is expected you respond with a greeting in return or a smile of acknowledgement.
Jandals – whether you call them flip flops or thongs where you come from, the perennial summer footwear favourite is called a jandal in NZ.
"Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, Oi, Oi, Oi!" is a popular Australian sports chant, a variation of the British "Oggy, Oggy, Oggy" cheer, used to express national pride and support for Australian teams, with "Ozzy" being slang for "Australian" and "Oi, Oi, Oi" a general interjection for enthusiasm or attention, much like "USA!". The chant involves one group shouting "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!" and the crowd responding "Oi, Oi, Oi!".
The most Australian thing to say often involves casual slang like "G'day, mate!" or "No worries, she'll be right," reflecting a laid-back, friendly culture that shortens words (arvo for afternoon, brekkie for breakfast) and uses unique phrases like "Fair dinkum" (really/truly) or "Bloody oath!" (yes, absolutely) for emphasis. It's about being informal, positive, and using unique terms for everyday things like a "barbie" (BBQ) or "sunnies" (sunglasses).