Kiwis love their slang—often short, friendly, and full of humour.

Here are a few words and phrases to get you started…

• Bach/Crib – a small, often modest holiday home or beach house. Bach is used more in the North Island while Crib is used more in the South Island.
• Barbie - BBQ
• Bugger all! – Nothing at all (e.g., "There was bugger all in the shops today.")
• Chilly bin – Cooler/ice box
• Dairy – Convenience store
• Far out! – Wow! That’s too much!
• Flat tack / Flat out – Really busy or really fast (e.g., "Work has been so busy lately, I’ve been flat out.")
• Heaps – A lot (e.g., "That’s heaps of ice cream!")
• Jandals – Flip-flops
• Knackered – Extremely tired (e.g., "I’m knackered, it was a long day at work.")
• "She’ll be right" – Everything will be OK
• Shout – Taking a turn to pay (e.g., "It’s my shout today – you bought coffee last time.")
• Smoko – Tea break
• Stuff up – Make a mistake (e.g., "Oh no, I really stuffed up this time.")
• Togs – Swimwear
• Wop wops – Middle of nowhere (e.g., "They broke down in the wop wops.")

Check out more kiwi slang:

New Zealand Slang

Beginner's Guide to Kiwi English | English New Zealand

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Essential Te Reo to Get You Started

While English is the most widely spoken language in New Zealand, Māori words are woven into our everyday conversations. Here are a few of the most common words and phrases:

• Aotearoa – New Zealand
• Haka – Traditional Māori war dance
• Kia ora! – Hello / Thank you
• Nau mai, haere mai – Welcome!
• Kai – Food
• Marae – Meeting grounds
• Mihi - A Mihi is a greeting/introduction in Maori (commonly used in casual setting)
• Pākehā – Non-Māori (typically of European descent)
• Pepeha - Pepeha is a way of introducing yourself in Māori. 
• Waiata – Song, chant
• Waka – A canoe or vessel
• Whānau – Family
• Karakia – Prayer, blessing

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Local Traditions

New Zealand has a welcoming culture with a mix of Māori and European influences. Here are a few key traditions to know:

• Manaakitanga (Hospitality): Kiwis are friendly! If invited to someone’s home, bring a small gift like wine or chocolates.
• BBQs (barbie) & Social Gatherings: Outdoor cooking is a Kiwi staple, and “bring a plate” means bring a dish to share.
• Seasonal Celebrations: Christmas is in summer, Waitangi Day (Feb 6) marks NZ’s founding, and Matariki is the Māori New Year.
• Rugby & The Haka: Rugby is huge, and the All Blacks perform the powerful haka before matches.
• Markets & Festivals: Local farmers' markets and events like the Alexandra Blossom Festival are great for meeting people.
• No Tipping Culture: Service staff don’t expect tips, but rounding up the bill is appreciated.
• Shoes Off Indoors: Many Kiwis remove shoes at the door, especially in Māori homes.
• The Kiwi Wave: In rural areas, drivers often give a casual hand or finger lift to acknowledge each other.

The Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand’s founding document, signed in 1840 between Māori chiefs and the British Crown. It established a partnership and guaranteed Māori rights to land and resources. We recommend learning more to understand its significance in shaping New Zealand’s history and relationships today.

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