New Zealand Map
Our guide to slang in New Zealand (Aotearoa)
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awesome = great
bach = (pronounced ‘batch’) holiday home
beauty = doozy
bob each way = supporting both opposing sides
box of birds = standard response to the inquiry “How are you?”
bro = friend
cheers – thank you
choice bro – nice one
cotton wool – cotton ball (example)
cracker = very good
cuppa = cup of tea
cuzzies – cousins
(the) ditch = Tasmanian Sea
dodgy = unreliable
dunny = toilet
ear bashing = someone talking incessantly
entree = appetizer, not main course
fence sitter – person who is undecided
good as gold – that’s great
haka = traditional Maori dance
jandals = flip-flops
kumara = sweet potato
lifestyle block = hobby farm
main – main course
mate = buddy
motella = owner or manager of a hotel
munted = broken
no worries = no problem
OE = overseas experience
pakeha = person of European descent
reckon = to think
root = to have sex
snarky – sarcastic
sparrow fart – sunrise
sst = Sunday Star Times
stink = no good
sweet as – awesome, excellent
that’s us = we’re done
tramping =
westerlies = prevailing winds in the middle latitudes between 35 and 65 degrees latitude, blowing from the high pressure area toward the poles
whinge = to complain
wireless = radio
yes, no = Yes, I understand you/hear you, and no, I disagree
Elsewhere on the Web
New Zealand English
Kiwi Words and Phrases – Chemistry New Zealand
Slang – Kiwi Chat
Origins of New Zealand English
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/video/43842/language-change
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/1522902/How-do-you-tell-the-difference-between-a-Kiwi-and-an-Aussie.html
Misc
O for Awesome
If it’s 3am in New Zealand and you’re at a BP station, what must you always do? Always blow on the pie
National Anthem, God Defend New Zealand / Aotearoa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Defend_New_Zealand
http://www.mch.govt.nz/anthem/
New Zealand National Youth Choir
Aotearoa / God Defend New Zealand (1.8 mb)
| Māori Version E Ihowā Atua, O ngā iwi mātou rā Āta whakarangona; Me aroha noa Kia hua ko te pai; Kia tau tō atawhai; Manaakitia mai Aotearoa Ōna mano tāngata Kiri whero, kiri mā, Iwi Māori, Pākehā, Rūpeke katoa, Nei ka tono ko ngā hē Māu e whakaahu kē, Kia ora mārire Aotearoa
Tōna mana kia tū! Waiho tona takiwā Tōna pai me toitū | English Version God of Nations at Thy feet, In the bonds of love we meet, Hear our voices, we entreat, God defend our free land. Guard Pacific’s triple star From the shafts of strife and war, Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand. Men of every creed and race, Gather here before Thy face, Asking Thee to bless this place, God defend our free land. From dissension, envy, hate, And corruption guard our state, Make our country good and great, God defend New Zealand.
Peace, not war, shall be our boast, Let our love for Thee increase, May our mountains ever be |
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New Zealand English
New Zealand Words
Vocabulary
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