New Zealand Language
Created | Updated Feb 25, 2007
New Zealand is a small isolated island miles away from anywhere else, even its closest neighbor- Australia. The neighbors share many language traits and curiosities but New Zealand's culture has been uniquely influenced by the Maori culture and its farming upbringings. Like many countries its language has been influenced by many Americanisms, but its British origins influences many more phrases. All these factors create a very unique language. This guide is hardly adequate but should help in distinguishing certain phrases or words that may not be understandable, or have a different meaning then your home language.
All Blacks- The New Zealand international rugby team.
Aotearoa- The Maori name for New Zealand meaning 'land of the long white cloud'.
Aussie- An Australian.
Bach- A weekend or holiday home.
Boot- The trunk of a car.
Bro- Mainly a Maori term. An abbreviation of brother. However a 'bro' can be someone who has been in a close link of upbringing but not neccesarily a strict blood relationship. Also can be used to refer to other members of a group, such as a gang, who are all bros to each other in spirit.
Bugger- Formally the word signifies homosexual male partners. Informally however the word is generally an exclamation of surprise or shock. In 1999 it was made acceptable by a television commercial which took the word into everybody's homes.
Bull- Short for bull-shit.
Bung- Broken.
Bungy- Made famous by the New Zealander A.J. Hackett who first had the idea of tying a cord around your legs and jumping off some place high.
BYO- Short for Bring Your Own. Usually means the wine you take to an unlicensed restaurant.
Cheerio- Visitors from the US are sometimes confused by this word as, for them, Cheerios are a well known sugary breakfast cereal. It is actually a small savory sausage in other countries known as cocktail sausages.
Creek- A running stream or small river.
Dairy- A small shop that sells mixed groceries, milk, eggs, dairy products and the like.
Flat- An apartment.
Footpath- The sidewalk.
Gidday- Short for "good day". A method of greeting, also spelt g'day.
GST- Goods and Services Tax. Similar to the British VAT.
Haere Mai- Maori for welcome.
Haka- The Maori word haka means war dance. This is not really correct- a haka, which combines rhythmic shouting and vigorous movement, can form a part of a welcome, an affirmation of loyalty, a gesture of farewell or a challenge to supremacy.
Hangi- A form of underground cooking used by the Maoris.
Hongi- A Maori form of greeting which involves putting the noses together.
Jandals- These originate in New Zealand and are a rubber sole with a strap around the big toe and another over the other four. They are also known as flip-flops, floppies and thongs.
Kai- The Maori word for food.
Kia Ora- The Maori word for hello.
Kiwi- A small, fury, flightless bird with a long beak. Also used to refer to New Zealand citizens in general.
Knackered- Tired, worn out.
Lay-By- This system allows a customer who cannot immediately afford a retail item, to pay a portion of the price and reserve the item (on lay-by) until they have paid the full price.
Lift- An elevator.
Lolly- A sweet.
Maori- The indigenous Polynesion people of New Zealand
Marae- A meeting house for the Maori. It is used for social occasions such as parties, weddings and funerals. It is also a religious place, similar to a church.
Mate- A close friend, and has nothing to do with sex. "Mate!" used in isolation is meant as an approval.
Nappy- A diaper.
Number 8 Wire- A previously common type of fencing wire. It became useful for temporarily fixing other things. The fencing wire isn't as common now-days but the phrase is symbolic of DIY.
NZ- Short for New Zealand.
OE- Short for Overseas Experience. New Zealand's isolation causes many citizen's to go on an 'overseas experience' to see the rest of the world.
Oz- Australia.
Paddock- A meadow or field.
Pakeha- New Zealand residents or visitors not Polynesian in origin.
Pikelet- A round snack made from batter not unlike a pikelet.
Pommy, Pom- An Englishman.
Puku- The Maori word for tummy.
Rellies- Relatives.
Sandshoes- Sneakers.
Sheila- The female version of bloke- a strong woman.
Smoko- A break while working i.e. a coffee break.
Stubbies- A can of beer, or small shorts for working.
Ta- Abbreviation for thank you.
Tapu- Maori word for sacred or taboo.
Togs- Swimming shorts/trunks.
Toilet- OK not an original New Zealand word, but there are so many different slang words for the toilet I might as well put them all under one. Anyway here I go- restroom, loo, bog, crapper, grot, dunny, head, shouse, WC, khasi, la-la, outhouse, long drop, the privey, the can or the john.
Vegemite- A thick, black-brown spread, similar to Australia's Marmite.
Whanau- The Maori name for family.
Whinge- To complain or whine.
