This list covers some of the most common slang (or ‘Kiwi-isms’) you’ll hear in Aotearoa (the Māori name for New Zealand).

A

  • Aotearoa
  • Meaning: The Māori name for New Zealand. It is commonly translated as “The Land of the Long White Cloud.”
  • Example: “Welcome to Aotearoa!”

B

  • Bach (pronounced ‘batch’)
  • Meaning: A modest holiday home, often located by the beach or a lake. The South Island equivalent is a ‘crib’.
  • Example: “We’re heading up to the bach for the long weekend.”
  • Bro
  • Meaning: A term of endearment for a friend, similar to ‘mate’. While it originated with ‘brother’, it’s used for anyone.
  • Example: “Chur, bro, appreciate the help.”

C

  • Chilly bin
  • Meaning: A portable insulated container for keeping food and drinks cold. Known elsewhere as a cooler or esky.
  • Example: “Can you grab me a drink from the chilly bin?”
  • Choice
  • Meaning: An exclamation meaning excellent, great, or cool.
  • Example: “You got us front-row tickets? Choice!”
  • Chur
  • Meaning: A very versatile slang word meaning thanks, cheers, or acknowledging something is cool.
  • Example: “Here’s that ten bucks I owe you.” “Oh, chur!”
  • Crib
  • Meaning: The South Island term for a bach (a holiday home).
  • Example: “My grandparents have a little crib down in the Catlins.”
  • Cuppa
  • Meaning: A cup of tea or coffee.
  • Example: “Pop over later for a cuppa and a biscuit.”

D

  • Dairy
  • Meaning: The local corner store that sells everyday items like milk, bread, ice cream, and newspapers.
  • Example: “I’m just going to the dairy to grab a pint of milk.”

E

  • Eh (or Aye)
  • Meaning: A particle added to the end of a sentence to turn it into a question, similar to “isn’t it?” or “right?”.
  • Example: “It’s a beautiful day, eh?”

F

  • Footy
  • Meaning: Slang for rugby union, New Zealand’s national sport.
  • Example: “Are you watching the footy on Saturday night?”

G

  • Gumboots
  • Meaning: Waterproof rubber boots, essential for farming or any muddy situation. Also called ‘wellies’.
  • Example: “It’s raining, you’d better wear your gumboots.”

H

  • Hard case
  • Meaning: Someone or something that is funny or amusing.
  • Example: “Your dad is a real hard case, always telling the best jokes.”
  • Heaps
  • Meaning: A lot of something.
  • Example: “There were heaps of people at the concert.”

J

  • Jandals
  • Meaning: Flip-flops. The name is a portmanteau of “Japanese sandals.”
  • Example: “I live in my jandals all summer long.”

K

  • Kai
  • Meaning: The Māori word for food. It is widely used by all New Zealanders.
  • Example: “The kai is on the table, come and eat!”
  • Kia Ora
  • Meaning: A Māori greeting used as a general “hello” or “welcome.” It translates to “be well.”
  • Example: “Kia ora, thanks for coming.”
  • Kiwi
  • Meaning: A nickname for a New Zealander. It is also the national flightless bird and a shorthand for kiwifruit.
  • Example: “He’s a proud Kiwi.”
  • Knackered
  • Meaning: Exhausted or very tired.
  • Example: “I’m absolutely knackered after that long drive.”

M

  • Mate
  • Meaning: A friend, pal, or even a friendly stranger.
  • Example: “How’s it going, mate?”
  • Munted
  • Meaning: Severely damaged, broken, or ruined.
  • Example: “I dropped my phone and now the screen is completely munted.”

N

  • No worries
  • Meaning: A common response to “thank you,” meaning “you’re welcome,” “it’s okay,” or “don’t worry about it.”
  • Example: “Thanks for the lift!” “No worries.”

O

  • OE (Overseas Experience)
  • Meaning: A rite of passage for many young Kiwis, involving spending a year or two living and working abroad.
  • Example: “My daughter is heading off on her OE to London next month.”

P

  • Pākehā
  • Meaning: The Māori term for New Zealanders of non-Māori, particularly European, descent.
  • Pavlova
  • Meaning: A meringue-based dessert with a crisp crust and soft inside, topped with cream and fruit. A fiercely claimed national dish.
  • Example: “No Christmas is complete without a pavlova.”

S

  • She’ll be right
  • Meaning: A classic phrase embodying a relaxed attitude that everything will be okay.
  • Example: “The car’s making a funny noise, but she’ll be right.”
  • Skint
  • Meaning: To be broke or have no money.
  • Example: “I can’t go out this weekend, I’m skint.”
  • Smoko
  • Meaning: A short break from work, typically for a coffee, tea, or snack.
  • Example: “Alright team, it’s 10 o’clock, time for smoko.”
  • Stoked
  • Meaning: To be very excited, thrilled, or pleased.
  • Example: “I was so stoked when the All Blacks won.”
  • Suss
  • Meaning: To figure something out (“I’ll suss it out”) or to describe something as suspicious (“That looks a bit suss”).
  • Example: “Can you suss out what time we need to leave?”
  • Sweet as
  • Meaning: An expression meaning great, cool, or no problem. The ‘as’ is used as an intensifier for many adjectives (e.g., ‘hot as’, ‘easy as’).
  • Example: “I can pick you up from the airport.” “Sweet as, thanks!”

T

  • Ta
  • Meaning: A simple, informal way of saying “thanks.”
  • Example: “Here’s your coffee.” “Ta.”
  • Togs
  • Meaning: Swimsuit or swimming trunks.
  • Example: “Don’t forget to pack your togs, we’re going to the hot pools.”
  • Tramping
  • Meaning: The New Zealand term for hiking or trekking, especially on multi-day journeys.
  • Example: “We’re going tramping in Fiordland next summer.”
  • Tu meke
  • Meaning: A Māori phrase meaning “too much,” used to express praise or show appreciation for a job well done.
  • Example: “You aced your exam? Tu meke, bro!”

W

  • Wop-wops
  • Meaning: A remote area; the middle of nowhere.
  • Example: “They live out in the wop-wops, it takes an hour to get there.”

Y

  • Yeah, nah
  • Meaning: A very common, non-committal phrase that often indicates hesitation or a polite way of saying “no.” The meaning depends heavily on tone and context.
  • Example: “Do you want to go for a run?” “Yeah, nah, I might just stay in.”