If you’ve just arrived in New Zealand and want to act like a true Kiwi, you’ll need to learn the right lingo. To help you out, we’ve put together an A-Z guide to New Zealand slang! Read on to start speaking fluent ‘Kiwi’.
A-Z of New Zealand Slang
A is for ALL GOOD
Meaning: No problem, everything is fine
B is for BRO
Meaning: Friend, mate – “all good bro”
C is for CHILLY BIN
Meaning: a cooler bin, used to keep food and drinks cold
D is for DAIRY
Meaning: Convenience store or corner store
E is for EH
Meaning: Also spelt ‘ay’. Mostly used where you would say ‘right’ or ‘you know’ at the end of a sentence – “it’s cold today, eh?”
F is for FOOTY
Meaning: Rugby (NOT soccer)
G is for GUMBOOTS
Meaning: Wellingtons, boots to keep your feet dry in wet weather
H is for HEAPS
Meaning: A lot of / very
I is for IWI
Meaning: Maori community or people
J is for JANDALS
Meaning: Flip flops/ thongs (short for Japanese sandals)
K is for KIWI
Meaning: Refers to a person from New Zealand, the flightless national bird or the Kiwi fruit
L is for LOO
Meaning: Toilet/ bathroom
M is for MACCAS
Meaning: McDonalds
N is for NICK
Meaning: Steal
O is for OP-SHOP
Meaning: Opportunity shop – a second hand or good will store.
P is for PUKU
Meaning: Belly / tummy
Q is for QUEEN STREET FARMER
Meaning: Someone who lives and works in the city but owns, or dresses/behaves like they own a farm
R is for RECKON
Meaning: Think – “I reckon that’s a great idea”
S is for SNAGS
Meaning: Sausages
T is for TOGS
Meaning: Swimwear
U is for UNI
Meaning: University
V is for VEGGIES
Meaning: Vegetables
W is for WINDY WELLY
Meaning: Refers to Wellington, the windiest city in New Zealand!
X is for XMAS
Meaning: Christmas
Y is for YEAH, NAH
Meaning: technically means ‘no’ but can occasionally mean yes or maybe…
Z is for ZAPPED
Meaning: Very tired
This is just the beginning of your new vocabulary as a Kiwi! We hope some of these words and phrases will come in handy as you navigate a new country.
Remember, New Zealanders are a friendly bunch so don’t hesitate to try these out. If you make a mistake, you might even become responsible for a new slang word!