30 New Zealand Slang Words You Need to Know
After my previous article on Australian slang, I thought it would be fun to do the same with New Zealand. Home of the MΔoris, the country has a wide range of words and expressions that can sometimes have several meanings. So, if you’re planning a trip soon, or are simply interested in the slang of other countries, this article is for you! Let’s dive right in!
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Useful and popular slang words/expressions
New Zealand, like any other part of the world, can be a pretty tough place to navigate, all the more so when English isn’t your first language. Add to that New Zealand slang, which is a language in its own right, and understanding people can be tricky. But once you get the hang of it, it’s a lot of fun trying to speak like a Kiwi!
1. Aotearoa
Meaning “Land of the Long White Cloud”, this is what New Zealand is called in MΔori.
2. Kiwi
Not to be confused with the fruit, this is what “New Zealanders” are called. I think it’s a very cute way to call a country’s inhabitants, don’t you?
3. Kia Ora
It’s a word that’s both tricky and easy to pronounce, as it can have different meanings depending on the situation you’re in: βHelloβ, βThank youβ and even βGoodbyeβ!
4. Haere mai
You’ll see this one a lot, probably as soon as you arrive, as it’s used to say βWelcomeβ in the MΔori language.
5. Aroha
One of the things I love to learn is how to express or say βloveβ in every country I go to. So, of course, this word is one of my favorites! If you want to know how to say βI love youβ in MΔori, here’s how: Kei te aroha au ki a koe.
6. Tramping
I have to confess that this is one of the words I expected to be quite rude when I first heard it, but that’s not the case as it means βhikingβ.
7. Sweet as
Kiwis love this expression, as it’s probably the one I heard most often when I lived there. It usually translates as βcoolβ, βsounds goodβ, βthat’s greatβ and many more, but it’s always used when you’re happy with a situation or agree with your friendsβ¦
8. Chur
This one’s a bit similar to the previous one in that you can use it in the same situations you’d use βSweet asβ. But it essentially translates as βThank youβ.
9. Ta
Remember? It’s also Australian slang, and both mean the same thing: βThank youβ abbreviated!
10. Choice as
Another expression used when you’re happy or in agreement with something, it translates as βthat’s greatβ, βalrightβ, βawesomeββ¦.
11. As
I get the impression that βasβ has its own place in New Zealand slang because they constantly place it after a word: βsweet asβ, βmean asβ, βfun asβ. It’s actually a way of emphasizing words!
12. Bro
Bro is like βmateβ in Australia, and is used to designate a βclose friendβ.
13. Wops wops
If you go to a remote part of New Zealand, the locals may tell you that you’re in βwops wopsβ, which means βa place in the middle of nowhere, far from everythingβ.
14. Togs
If I say to you, βTake your togs and let’s go to the beachβ, you might have an idea! That’s slang for βswimsuitβ β a bit tricky, isn’t it?
15. Jandals
I love Oceania, you know why? Because it’s the continent where I’ve seen a lot of people, even in cities, walking barefoot. New Zealand is a very laid-back country and that’s why you’ll see a lot of people wearing βjandalsβ or βflip flopsβ, even if they’re not at the beach.
16. Tea
Not an actual cup of tea, but a word meaning βdinnerβ.
17. Bungy
As you may have already guessed, the country is very fond of bungee jumping, so this slang word translates simply as βthe elastic strapβ used for the sport.
18. Hard case
If you tell a dad joke or something more witty and someone finds it funny, they’ll usually say you’re a βhard caseβ, which means βyou’re funnyβ!
19. Bit of a dag
This term is also used to describe someone who is βfunnyβ, βwittyβ or βcheekyβ. But is has a different meaning when referring to sheep, as it describes the poo stuck in the wool around the sheep’s buttocks.
20. Stubbie
Another word for βbeer bottleβ, not to be confused with βstubbiesβ, which are short shorts for men!
21. Flat out
An expression you might use to say that you’re βvery busy and very tiredβ.
22. Pav
Short for βpavlovaβ, our Kiwi friends’ favorite dessert, especially at Christmas. This meringue-based dessert is something of a tradition over there, and you can be sure to see it in every store as the festive season approaches!
23. Yarn
It’s not the ball of yarn your cat likes to play with, but in New Zealand, this word translates as: βto have a good, nice chatβ.
24. Stoked
βI’m so stokedβ, which means I’m βsuper-duper happyβ!
25. Chrissy pressies
You’ll probably hear it during the festive season, especially at Christmas, because it means βChristmas presentsβ.
26. Nah, yeah, nah
As Kiwis are rather discreet and very friendly, they generally don’t want to offend you, so they may answer a question with βnah, yeah, nahβ. It still means βnoβ, but in a more subtle way.
27. Yeah, nah, yeah
Just the opposite of the previous one, as this one means βyesβ. Simple enough, isn’t it? Just listen to the last word to understand what the other person really means.
Swear Expressions
28. Jafa
Used to describe Aucklanders: βJust another f Aucklanderβ is well, pejorative. Aucklanders are also perceived as colder than people from any other city in the country. I just think their way of life may be too different, as Kiwis love their laid-back lifestyle and I guess the bustling city of Auckland may be a bit too much for them.
29. Bugger
βOh buggerβ is like βOh damn!β.
30. Drongo
I hope you won’t be called a βdrongoβ, as this word means βstupidβ, unless it’s used in jest or affectionately between friends.
That’s a wrap! I hope this little guide has been of interest and help to you! Here’s the link to the QuΓ©bΓ©cois version, if you’re interested!
What about you? Have you heard any other words or expressions on your travels?
Or do you have any strange and amusing expressions from your own country? If so, don’t hesitate to post them in the comments section!
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These are so fun! I have a Kiwi friend and definitely want to try using these phrases around him. I remember a few of these from my visits to New Zealand as well!
Great! Have fun using those little slangs βΊοΈ
I was hoping to read something about New Zealandβs traditional Haka. Would like to know what those words mean, but the list of words in this post kinda resembles it. Thanks for sharing this.
Oh yes, of course, everybody knows about the haka (which is a ceremonial dance originally performed to show strength and pride, often performed by warriors before a battle).
Thanks for asking and commenting βΊοΈ
This is so cool! I enjoyed learning these New Zealand slang words. Fun post!
Thank you for this lovely comment Debbie!
This is such a helpful list of slang words and a must-read for anyone considering visit this beautiful country. Thanks for doing all the research!
Thank you so much for this lovely comment Stephanie!π
This was so interesting! Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment Kirstiee!
Who would’ve thought? So interesting and hilarious. I would get upset too if someone says I am ‘tramping’ around New Zealand. This is useful to know. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who’d react like that!! Thank you so much for your support and comment, Vicke!
Haha I still say sweet as and don’t realise how casual it sounds to others. Usually it’s “sweet as bro” and I feel like jafa is usually only used when we talk about how many people are in Auckland because there’s a lot there compared to everywhere else. I also use kia kaha a lot too which means stay strong π₯° – Ash
Love that, thanks for sharing your experience with us, Ashleigh. There’s no better way to learn a language than from a local π
And thanks for reading!
This is an educational post. The next time I visit a restaurant, I will ask for a stubbie. I believe the kiwi fruit originated in New Zealand.
You should!! If I’m not mistaken, I think its origin is Chinese, but the nickname kiwi actually comes from the national bird of the same name. π
Thanks for reading, Kevin!
Really interesting to find slang words from another country.
Glad you liked this post and thanks for reading, David!