Kiwi (New Zealand) slang
After recently reading the Aussie slang post by @galenkp I decided to give this my own take by sharing some of the slang us New Zealanders have. It seems fitting, as New Zealanders and Australians have a love/hate relationship (often around rugby). So heres a few of the basic slang words that should get you through your first visit to New Zealand without to much confusion.
Kiwi - New Zealander. Also flightless bird native to New Zealand
Bro- Short for brother, but refers to anyone who is a mate. Often used as a greeting when you dont know someones name - e.g. at a shop ´Can I help you bro?´
Chilly bin - Cooler, or as @galenkp might call it a esky
Dairy- Corner store or 24/7. e.g. ´Im just going to the dairy to get some milk´
Cuz- similar to bro, but less acceptable in the wider community.
Ay- turns a question into a statement. e.g. ´Your going to the beach today ay
Chur - Thanks/cheers
Take/taking the piss - making a joke of someone or something.
Stoked- Overly happy about something. E.g. ´Stoked that I passed my exam´
Togs- Swimwear
Torch- Flashlight
Mean- Satisfying/good. Often used in the phrase ´Guna have a mean feed´.
Bach (pronounced batch)- Holiday home or beach house.
Mate- can be either a friendly or nasty way, depending on the context. e.g. as a friend ´Allgood mate´, or in a nasty way ´Dont talk to me like that mate!´. This one might confuse those inexperienced in kiwi slang, so listen for the tone of voice and check out the body language.
Crack up- Funny. e.g. ´Have you seen Family Guy, its a crack up´.
Heaps- A lot. e.g ´There are heaps of beaches in New Zealand´.
I think I will stop here for now - that should be enough to get you started and not be to overwhelmed! Us kiwis are pretty friendly, and I am sure would be stoked if you gave some of our slang a go bro.
Chur!
Isn't it funny how important tone is with words. Mate for instance...It can be friendly and threatening depending on tone and circumstance.
Good NZ slang lesson bro, glad you did it ay.
Chur. 🙂
Yeah kiwis and Aussies are pretty sarcastic too. I feel those from different cultures think we are weird or rude!
Yeah, I've had people here tell me how unfunny my sarcasm is...It's difficult for people who don't grow up with it like we do to understand that it's generally in our make-up and that here some forms of sarcasm are legit. It's difficult to explain to them.
Some dude said, "sarcasm is the lowest form of wit."
I said, "Ah ha! So, you're agreeing though that it is indeed wit! It might be low, but wit it wit" Lol.
That didn't go down well. Oh well, best just to grab a coldie from the esky/chilly bin and suck it down with some bro's and not worry about it huh?
P.s. I was in NZ last October for the first time...South island. Loved it and will be back.
TBH I never take a kiwi or an Aussy seriously. Seems to have worked so far! New Zealand is amazing we did a trip down South a few years back was incredible. We are in the North in the Waikato if you are ever near then get in touch :)
A person takes an Aussie or Kiwi seriously at their peril hub? I agree! Lol.
We will definitely be back to NZ mate, no doubt. Planning to see all of it and so will be up north...We'll have a beer. 😊
Sometimes I think the rest of the world can't tell the difference between Kiwis and Aussies and keep mistaking us for roo shaggers. I hate that! - we are proud sheep shaggers!
HAHA. Proud kiwi right here!