Heading to NZ? How's your Kiwi?

03 February 2022

Your flights are booked, you've sorted your travel insurance you're ready to pack for all weather and you're prepped for an amazing tour with adventure at every turn. Awesome, get ready NZ I'm coming!!
Well in truth you are pretty well set and good to go, however before you leave.... how is your Kiwi?


Although English is the dominant language in New Zealand, Maori is also an official spoken language and many of its traditional words are used throughout New Zealand English as well as plenty of slang terms too.  To help you fit in like a local during your time here in NZ, here are some local kiwisms you might want to familiarise yourself with.........

  1. Sweet As - Awesome/Cool
  2. Aotearoa - New Zealand (Literally means long white cloud)
  3. Kia Ora - Hello/Good health
  4. Dairy - Corner shop/Convenience store
  5. Jandals - Flip Flops/Thongs
  6. Hangi - Traditional style of Maori cooking
  7. Bro - Brother or good friend
  8. Choice - Very good
  9. Whanau - Family
  10. Kai - Food
  11. GC - Good Chap. (Chap is often replaced with another four letter word beginning with C!)
  12. Hard Case - Funny Person
  13. Tramping - Hiking
  14. The Boonies - Middle of nowhere
  15. Iwi - Tribe
  16. Puku - Stomach/Belly
  17. Pounamu - Greenstone
  18. Pakeha - New Zealander of non-Maori descent
  19. Tinny/Tin Arse - Lucky
  20. Rattle your dags - Hurry up

Alright, now you're good to go..............oh wait did we mention the accent?