When I first moved to New Zealand, I thought it was going to be so much easier than moving to Spain.
As far as I was concerned, NOWHERE ON THE ENTIRE PLANET could have more red tape or be more difficult than Spain. And for the most part, I was right. New Zealand is not exactly a challenging destination, by any means.
First off, they speak English in New Zealand. Hey, I speak English too! How hard could it be?
Sigh. Really, I should know better by now, right?
It all started the first day I did laundry in my new house in Wellington. Or should I say my new “flat” since I am now in the Queen’s territory.
Pulling my clothes out of the washer, I asked my new “flatties,” “flatmates” aka roommates where I could hang them up to dry.
“Downstairs outside there’s a clothesline in the back of the house,” they told me, “and they’re pigs on the ground.”
Blinking, surely I heard them wrong. “Pigs? What do you mean ‘pigs’? Why are there pigs outside?” I asked.
Looking at me like I was insane, “PIGS! You know PIGS that you hang your clothes with. PIGS!” They all said in unison pinching their fingers together in motion.
“Oh my god, you mean PEGS.”
This was just the beginning of what would become a slippery slope downhill of me trying and failing to understand the New Zealand accent, slang and/or vernacular.
In general, I’d like to think I’m pretty apt at understanding other accents and languages. I’ve studied many languages and worked teaching and tutoring English. But sometimes, like with the case of the mysterious pigs in Kelburn Wellington, all understanding completely eludes me.
However, after much pushing and prodding, I finally say down and watched the epic New Zealand classic movie Boy, the other night, when I realized I only understood 2/3rds of what they were saying.
The only complicated thing about the New Zealand accent is the vowels, which I guess is a pretty big complication. They like to swallow the ends of words here, similar to southern Spain, and then of course there is the Great New Zealand Vowel Shift and somehow “e”s have become “i”s.
Ben is pronounced “bin,” “head” becomes “hid,” while “really” and “rarely” sound exactly the same. Talk about confusing.
When I first stepped off the proverbial boat in Auckland, it didn’t take long for me to start to pick up on different structuring and common phrases used throughout New Zealand. Many of them I was aware of as a native English speaker, and while they may not be common or the go-to phrase in America, I understood perfectly what was meant.
For example Kiwis love to say the word “heaps.”
“I’ve got heaps of work to do before I can go home.” “There are heaps of sheep in New Zealand.” “I missed you heaps.” You get the idea.
A little more advanced is “keen.”
“Are you keen to go to the cinema?” I’d hear from friends. “Sure, I feel like going to the movies,” I’d reply, stubborn in my effort to maintain my Americaness (someone has to).
But one of my favorite Kiwi-isms, as I like to call them, is New Zealand’s fondness for the word “ay .”
What, are we in Canada?
Here, they like to just stick it on the end of a sentence here or there, giving it a little life or flavor. Almost like a little question but not quite, opening the dialogue up for a confirmation or reply.
“That’s a really nice hat, ay.” “Wow, that southerly is blowing in strong, ay.”
The other day I caught myself saying “ay” at the end of the sentence. Crap, I’m going native.
Anywho, after months of making mental notes and attempting to compile a list of new kiwi vocabulary in my “hid” — read: head, here are my 20 favorite and most heard New Zealand words and phrases. Enjoy.
1. Sweet as
Quite possibly the most famous of kiwi expressions, “sweet as” means good, ok, cool. Whatever. An expression of affirmation, more or less, usually followed up with “bro.”
Sometimes living in New Zealand I feel like I’m transported to a California surfer town in the 90’s.
Though I absolutely refuse to say “sweet as” because it is grammatically incorrect and makes me want to punch a baby. Sweet as… what? Finish the damn sentence! Sweet as pie? Sweet as candy?
Oh and it doesn’t end there. You can pretty much get away with sticking an “as” at the end of any adjective here in New Zealand. Mean as. Cheap as. Or my personal favorite, beached as – see video below.
2. Kia ora
Kia ora is a Maori greeting that’s common in New Zealand nowadays. Literally meaning “be well,” it’s pretty much synonymous with hello. Though, I still feel like I can’t get away with saying it, no matter how hard I try.
3. Wop-wops
Ha, I nearly died when I heard this one the first time. The wop-wops mean the middle of nowhere. The boonies. Out in the sticks. Try saying that with a straight face.
I feel like I should add that New Zealand gives a whole new meaning to the wop-wops; I am of course referring to the fact that there are no people in New Zealand, well there are 4.4 million people, which is roughly the size of Boston or an apartment building in Shanghai.
I used to think the small town I grew up in Virginia was in the boonies. But noooooo. I mean I came across towns in the South Island, population 5, towns that if you blinked while driving through, you’d miss them.
So maybe wop-wops is more acceptable here.
4. Dairy
Kiwi word for the convenience store, i.e. the 24 hour shop on the corner where you can get your milk, eggs, or if you’re me, your midnight craving for a chocolate bar.
5. Chilly bin
Care to hanker a guess?
The chilly bin is a cooler in New Zealand, perfect for your barbies (BBQ’s) on the beach packed with ice cold beer. Favorite.
6. Chocolate fish
A New Zealand staple, the chocolate fish is basically a pink or white marshmallow shaped fish covered in chocolate with ripple-like scales on them.
It’s a pretty common word used for rewarding a kid or someone for doing a good job. And I can vouch they are delicious. Oh, and since it’s New Zealand, we say “fush.”
There is also an amazing cafe in Wellington called the Chocolate Fish Cafe right on the beach in Scorching Bay, which was popular with the Lord of the Rings cast when they lived in Wellington, though now the name’s changed and it’s called Scorch-o-Rama.
7. Book a bach
Bach (pronounced batch) is the kiwi word for holiday home, and pretty much the only affordable way to travel in New Zealand given the absurd costs of hotels, hostels and even some campsites here. Split one with a group of friends and it becomes cheap, and it’s actually a great local way to experience New Zealand.
8. Jandals, togs, and stubbies
Luckily I knew what jandals were before I arrived in New Zealand because my friend Cole’s blog is called Four Jandals. Prepared. Boom. Oh, jandals are flip-flops BTW.
Togs was more complicated. It took me a while to realize that togs mean swimsuit.
And stubbies, which I think I could have lived without NOT knowing or seeing. Short shorts for men in the 70’s, you still see them around town and they are shocking to behold, at least for Americans. We grow up with an appropriate short level in mind for men, which is often put to the test overseas where dudes like to bare more leg than what we yanks are accustomed to seeing.
Even though I don’t see too many short shorts out and about on the street, that does not include going to the gym or the beach where they are still quite popular. Shudder.
9. Chur bro
Another popular kiwi expression, “chur,” which as I’ve taken to understand it means cheers or thanks. Again, commonly followed up with the obligatory “bro.”
First really started hearing this from my tour guide with Haka Tours in the South Island.
10. Yeah nah
Yeah nah yeah nah, which is it GODDAMNIT?!
However, points must be awarded to the Kiwis for inventing a phrase that means both yes and no at the same time. Good on ya, mate! (another common phrase here which I *think* means well done amigo but I could be wrong).
11. Tramping
In New Zealand tramping means hiking; it does NOT mean engaging in drunken, slutty illicit behavior as one (ME) might initially be led to believe. You’re welcome for the clarification.
12. Kumara, capsicum, and feijoa
All food words completely stumped me when I first arrived. Nevermind the fact that New Zealand uses many a British word for food like rocket (arugula), chips (fries) and aubergine (eggplant) PLUS having their own words for things. Mildly confusing, especially at restaurants when I had to ask what something was, and I got a look that says are you stupid, you speak English. Ugh.
Kumara means sweet potatoes or yams AND they have purple ones here OMG! I’ve only ever seen orange sweet potatoes before coming to New Zealand. Tangent.
Capsicum means bell peppers while feijoa is a New Zealand fruit that is about the size of a tomato and has a tangy flavor – and feijoa takes amazing in juices and smoothies here, give it a try!
13. Skux
As I am led to believe, skux is an ironic word for a player in New Zealand. As you might have guessed, I have not been able to pull this off in casual conversation so far in Wellington. However, there is still time and I am optimistic.
Challenge accepted.
14. A mare
A mare is short for a nightmare, like “I was on the piss and got into some trouble; I had a bloody mare last night.” You know, because I can pull off saying something like that.
So basically having a bad time or if you end up in a crazy situation.
15. L&P
A New Zealand classic, L&P is a sweet soft drink meaning Lemon & Paeroa, Paeroa being the place where it was manufactured. It only took a day to grow on me, but it tastes like watered down fizzy lemonade, in a good way.
Just trust me on this.
16. Op shops
Thank you Macklemore for clearing this one up, i.e. the New Zealand word for “thriftshop,” extremely popular in Wellington with its thriving hipster culture and love for vintage and record shops .
17. Waikikamukau
Doesn’t really mean anything just means some random-ass town in New Zealand that’s pronounced “Why kick a moo cow” which makes me laugh ALL THE TIME.
Sorry, had to share.
18. Pack a sad
Pack a sad means throw a tantrum or become moody in New Zealand. Who knew I’d be so good at this one?
19. Pavlova
I had pavlova forced on me not long after moving to Wellington, and while I tried to like it, it is far too sweet to take more than a few bites. Basically it’s a meringue cake thing with cream and fruit on it.
However, what is vastly more entertaining is that Kiwis and Aussies fight to the death over the invention and ownership of pavlova. Just bring it up next time you’re around one or the other and see what happens.
20. Spin a yarn
“You’re spinning yarns mate” means you’re lying or exaggerating, or telling a long story.
I will take this opportunity to exert some self control and NOT make a sheep joke.
21. Bum bag
Bum bag means fanny pack.
22. Tu Meke
Tu meke is a Maori word that means “too much.” Nowadays it’s popular among youths as a response to something impressive or awesome.
23. Dave
Again, as I am given to understand Dave is used as one word reply usually to someone being a dick.
24. Gumboots
Gumboots are rubber rain boots or wellies. First time I saw this was out in the country at a convenience store where there was a sign that said “please leave your muddy gumboots outside.” Good thing there was an illustration.
25. She’ll be right
Things will be fine. Right as rain.
Ok spill. What are some strange words you’ve encountered abroad? Have you been to another country where your native language is spoken – what words did they use differently? Any kiwi lingo I missed? Oh, are you from New Zealand – and if so, who invented pavlova?
**FYI the title Me Talk Kiwi One Day is a play on David Sedaris’ famous book Me Talk Pretty One Day
About the author
Let’s not forget Bogans and Roidos, JAFFAs and Westies.
Bogan : a lower class white male, usually a heavy metal fan, dresses in black mostly, typically uneducated. Americans might think of “white trash”.
Roido: The bogan’s girlfriend. Lower class white female. Roido is a kiwi accent corruption of “right-oh”, a term of agreement.
JAFFA: “Just a f***ING Aucklander” a term of endearment from Southern to Northern bretheren.
Westie: a resident of West Auckland, a natural habitat for bogans.
Your blog is a Cracker. ! Come round and we’ll throw some snarlers on the barbie and crack a few cold ones. You beauty. !
LOVE this! I have heard of Jaffa before, shit, I wish I had included it! Hilarious!
Jaffas are also a type of candy traditionally associated with going to the movies – a ball of chocolate surrounded with an orange-flavoured, but red, crisp candy shell (similar to M&Ms but a bit larger and more spherical). They’re named for Jaffa oranges, which used to be a popular export from the Middle East.
Apart from being popular to eat during the movies, in the old days when cinema floors were often uncarpeted wooden boards, kids sitting near the back used to roll their jaffas down the slopes and steps towards the front to make a noise.
Just Another Fucking Aucklander, abbreviated as Jaf(f)a, is a back-formation made to fit the name of the candy.
The other candy associated with the movies was Tangy Fruits, which are, tragically, no longer manufactured. They were most delicious when slightly stale so that the fruit-flavoured exterior shell became soft and chewy around the hard candy interior.
I’ve never heard of ‘roido’. Thanks Phil. That’s a weird one.
I think your definition of ‘bogan’ is a little narrow. I tried to explain it to an Englishman the other day and realised that it doesn’t translate all that well to other groups in other countries. Bogans aren’t necessarily trash, white, or poorly educated. The music (heavy metal and rock) and the cars (V8 either Ford of Holden) and the dressing mostly in black seem to be the key features. While traditionally bogans have been localised to particular areas like West Auckland, Hamilton, and Hutt, there’s been a really interesting mainstream drift in boganism over the last 10 years. I say this because all it takes is a ACDC concert at the stadium in Wellington to find out that half your executive leadership team are closet bogans.
Liz, I think someone needs to give you a box set of Outrageous Fortune DVDs.
Pity about the sads on Stuff. Loved the post, all happy and fun. Brightens the day.
Thing about travel is you pick up on idiosyncrasies quickly. But I still cringe when I come back to NZ. We’re lazy speakers and talk fast. A bad combination.
Some of the words and terms you mentioned I’d never heard of. Others seldom used. A bit is generational but a lot is location. When I moved to Wellington some I’d never heard anywhere before. Was double take time. As you will probably have found, Wellington is unique.
But hey, so is your home country. Never had an understanding problem but definitely knew when you were in a different state. Some very much so.
yeah I tried to give a bit of a range here, I know some are more common than others, some more typical, and then of course I tried to pick the brains of my teenage roommates and acquaintances for the younger generation lingo haha
I always thought ‘roommates’ referred to someone who lived in the same room as you in American?
Well yes and no, it can be someone you share a room with like at university, but it’s also standard for sharing a house or apartment, when you don’t actually share a room. Like ads for apartments will say looking for a roommate. Must be confusing!
Just a little input to make as a kiwi…
I don’t understand or am comfortable with the stubbies thing either… You’re not alone!
I live in the ‘wop-wops’ but have always called it ‘the middle of nowhere’ and have heard the term so infrequently that I was confused as to what was meant at first.
Yeah nah was only made popular by a recent television ad. Before that, I hadn’t heard the phrase even once.
I’ve always thought skux was another word for slut, but I guess player is a nicer way of putting it.
I’ve never heard the term ‘mare’ used for nightmare. I thought ‘female horse’ when I first saw it.
Never heard ‘pack a sad’, ‘spin a yarn’, ‘bum bag’ or ‘tu meke’ used in conversation. Maybe it’s a Wellington thing.
And ‘she’ll be right’ was popularised by a tv ad, too.
Mate is used a lot in place of friend, buddy or pal (all of which are often used too).
Another thing that we mess is already-similar sounding words like chairs/cheers, bear/beer, etc. I’ve seen a lot of confusion with that when talking to foreign people. 😀
oh yeah, the beer one still trips me up!
“pack a sad” is standard kiwi, as is “bum bag” – and you’d better find out real quick why we don’t say “fanny pack”! 😉
hahaha I’ve learned, my god that’s hilarious!
The ads were created because the phrases were already in common usage and uniquely Kiwi.
Yeah nah reflects part of our innate modesty and desire to accommodate, you are agreeing with the person, getting their point, but saying no, and you can also be saying yes and no, as in a dollar each way, but the nah is the main part of the phrase, more dominant. That’s how I see it. It’s been around for decades but I don’t think we were aware we were saying it for a long time.
Another one I’ve heard that trips people up is when we invite someone round for tea (dinner in the evening) and they think they are being invited for a cup of tea. That’s simply a cuppa, as in drop in for a cuppa.
An old one you don’t hear so often now is “Bugger me days!” which is an exclamation meaning, “you don’t say!” or as we would say nowdays “no way!”
The latter we probably adopted from the US?
Here’s a naughty one probably more likely to be found in a shearing shed:
“he’s at the shitter”
What about “up shit creek without a paddle?” is that Kiwi?
“Shit-a-brick!” (same as hell’s bells, means trouble)
“shitty weather” is a common one
More common now days: bummer! A Californianism?
“pretty out there” meaning that person is functioning on a different plane.
we definitely say up a shit creek without a paddle back home and shit a brick too, but nothing with bugger haha
Matt’s wrong about ‘she’ll be right’ and ‘yeah, nah.’ They were both picked up for use in advertising because they were already popular, recognisable phrases. The words he guesses might be ‘a Wellington thing’ are widespread throughout New Zealand. I guess, living in the wop wops, he just doesn’t get to hear much variety!
Having lived all over NZ I have to ask if you have been hiding in a cave somewhere? If so the mare is now over. Yeah nah she be right mate. Sweet as.
Sorry Matt, but I’m not sure which New Zealand you grew up in? All of these terms are very common. Yeah, nah, & she’ll be right were popular WAAAAAAAY before the tv ads. And a ‘mare’ of a time is a VERY common term for a bad time in my world. Don’t ‘pack a sad’ was often spoken by my mother during our childhood, and at work when people get grouchy – and we’re nowhere near Wellington. Tu Meke has been around for yonks too. Just saying.
Hey Matt,
The phrase ‘Yeah Nah’ has been around for as long as I have been alive (20 years). Maybe it is something that has been more common in youth, but it definitely has been around for a long time. The recent ad you are talking about was an binge drinking awareness ad that used this term for marketing purposes. It used the slang term ‘Yeah Nah’ to target the Kiwi audience and make it more relate-able to us.
As I sit next to my lovely american friend here in the wop wops of the south island…. oh how I am laughing! This is excellent!
haha the wop wops are some of the most beautiful spots in NZ!