2017 KIWI SLANG

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.