SO YOU WANT TO MIX IT WITH US KIWIS?
No worries if you're just coming for the squash, but why not team your game with the ultimate Kiwi experience? Sample some kai and fish & chups, hokey pokey icecream, swim in your togs, wear your jandals, try the local kiwifruit and get your head around some of our unique Kiwi slang. Anyway, it's going to be a blast! (Translation: Your New Zealand experience is going to be absolutely fantastic!)
We're definitely not here to confuse you, but we do mumble some very weird sayings, speak too fast and others think we sound funny! So the below will give you a bit of an idea on what you're in for.
GREETINGS & MANNERS | TRANSLATION |
---|---|
Kia Ora (key-or-a) | Hello. Goodbye. Thank you. |
Haere Mai (high-reh-my) | Welcome. |
Tena Koe (ten-a-kway) | Greetings to you (said to one person). |
Tena Koutou (ten-a-ko-toe) | Greetings to you all. |
Haere Ra (high-reh-rah) | Good Bye. |
Ta | Thank you. |
Chur | Thank you. |
Cheers | Goodbye. Thanks. |
KIWI SLANG & LINGO | TRANSLATION |
---|---|
Kiwi | On the one hand there is the native flightless bird and the Kiwifruit, but on the other hand it is also used as a slang term for a New Zealander. |
Jandals | Flip flops. Thongs. |
Thongs | G-string style underwear. |
Gumboots or Gummies | Wellies. Wellington Boots. Rain boots. Galoshes. A truly iconic form of Kiwi footwear. |
Feijoa | A popular garden tree – fruit is commonly eaten and is green and sweet. |
Togs | Swimsuit. |
Hangi | Traditional style of Maori cooking. |
Kai | Food |
Hot Chips | French Fries. |
Chips | Crisps. |
Sauce | Ketchup. |
Sweet As | Cool. Awesome. |
Choice | Cool. Awesome. |
She'll Be Right | Not a problem. It's OK. |
No Worries | Not a problem. It's OK. |
You're All Good | It's OK. Thank you. |
Yeah, Na Bro | Brother or good friend. |
Knackered | Tired or exhausted. |
Motorway | Highway. |
Jersey or Jumper | Sweater. Pullover. Fleece. |
Duvet | Dooner. Comforter. Quilt. |
Pakaru | Broken. Not working. |
Munted | Broken. Not working. |
Mate | Friend. |
Wop-wops | Middle of nowhere. |
Heaps | Lots (there's heaps to do in Tauranga). |
Cuppa | Cup of tea or coffee. |
Squizz | Take a look. |
Suss | Investigate. Check something out. |
Whanau (far-no) | Family. |
Ka Pai | Good work. |
Eh (a) | Often used at the end of sentences when expecting a response to a statement. The squash is going to be awesome eh? |
Mad | Crazy. |