50 Essential New Zealand Slang Words To Sound Like A Local In No Time

The friendliness of the people from New Zealand is reflected in the way they speak.

There are indeed many New Zealand slang phrases and, in this post, you’ll not only learn 50 of them, but you’ll also discover interesting things about one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Are you ready? Let’s explore New Zealand slang.

1. Kiwi 

“Kiwi” is in fist place because I’ll use this term a lot in this list. 

This is a noun that refers to the people from New Zealand. Don’t worry, this isn’t an offensive word. I’ve heard New Zealanders use “Kiwi” many times to talk about themselves. 

It’s a nickname that comes from the kiwi, a nocturnal flightless bird that’s found only in New Zealand.

Example:

John: “Are you from Australia?”

Mary: “No, I’m from New Zealand. I’m a Kiwi.” 

2. Aotearoa

Aotearoa is the Māori-language name for New Zealand. In the beginning, this term was used by the Māori to refer to the North Island only but today it’s a common noun Kiwis use to refer to both the North and the South Island.

Example:

“Welcome to Aotearoa!”

3. Sweet / Sweet As

This is a super common slang expression that Kiwis often use. It can mean different things depending on the situation. You can use it to say “thank you”, “it’s all good”, “no worries”, “you’re welcome”, and “that’s cool”.

Examples:

Joe: “I’ll come pick you up at 7pm, okay?”

Tim: “Sweet as, bro.”

4. Bro

This is a friendly term for anyone, not necessarily your brother. Every variety of English has its preferred slang term to refer to a friend. Americans may use “dude”, Australians and the British use “mate” and Kiwis often use “bro.”

Example: “How's it going, bro?”

5.  She'll Be Right

What is a common saying in New Zealand? “She'll be right” is a good example that you'll hear both in New Zealand and Australian slang. It means “everything will be all right”.

Example: 

Hamish: “I don’t want to go! I’m too afraid!”

Fraiser: “She’ll be right, bro.”

6. Chur

This can be used in many ways. It can mean “thank you,” or “that’s awesome!” Kiwis often say, “Chur, bro!”

Dan: “I’ll drive you to work”

David: “Chur, bro.”

7. Choice!

A slang word to say something is excellent, great, or fantastic.

Example:

Mary: “Do you like my new shoes?”

Kate: “Choice!”

8. A Snag

A snag is a sausage. Kiwis love barbecues and snags are what they love eating!

Example: 

Marta: “I’ll get the snags for tomorrow.”

Daniel: “Sweet as.”

9. Kia Ora

Kia ora comes from Maori and it’s a form of informal, friendly greeting.

It’s used to say hi but it has a much deeper meaning than that. You can watch this short video to find out more about this term.

Example: 

Marta: “Kia ora!”

Daniel: “Kia ora!”

10. Kia Kaha

Here’s some sad truth I wish I didn’t have to write about: in 2019, New Zealand witnessed the deadliest mass shooting in its modern history. 

I remember that day very well. All my New Zealand friends were tweeting and posting on social media the same two words: “Kia kaha.” 

In Maori, this means “stay/be strong.” 

Example: 

Marta: “I’m so sorry for the loss of your dad. Kia kaha.”

11. Dag

Dag can mean two things. You can use it when referring to a person who is strange or different in a way that is funny. Or you can use it to refer to a dirty piece of wool that hangs down from a sheep’s bottom!

Example:

Jane: “He’s a bit of a character, isn’t he?”

Mary: “Yeah, he's such a dag.”

12. Dunny

Dunny is often used in Australian slang and means toilet or bathroom. It comes from the British dialect word “dunnekin,” a fusion of two other words: “dung” (cow’s poo) and “ken” (house). 

Example: “Where's the dunny?”

13. Ta

Short for “thank you”.

Waiter: “Here’s your drink.”

Customer: “Ta”

14. Far Out

This is often used by Australians too. You say it when you’re surprised or can’t believe something. Kiwis also say “Faaaa” meaning “far out”.

Jon: “Did you know there are more sheep than people in New Zealand?”

Mike: “Far out! No, I didn’t!”

15. Cark It

This is an informal term that means “to die”. It may come from “carcass,” the dead body of an animal.

Example: “The cat was run over by a car and carked it.”

16. Togs

You’ll need these if you go to New Zealand. They’re swimming trunks or a swimsuit. 

Example: “I’m heading to the beach. Where are my togs? I can’t find them.”

17. Dairy 

A corner shop (a small shop that sells food, newspapers, etc., especially one near your house)

Example: “I’m going to the dairy to grab some milk.”

18. Eh (Also Spelt As “Ay”)

This is very often used at the end of sentences and could mean several things depending on the situation. It’s more of a sound than a word and Kiwis use it to say, “Could you repeat that?” or “What do you think?”

A lot can be said about this sound. Some linguists have even done extensive studies on it and found that “eh” is rooted in the Māori word ‘nē'. If you’re a real language nerd, here’s where you can learn more about “eh”.

Example: “That’s way too expensive, ay?”

19. Hard-Case

A hard-case is someone who’s amusing, funny, or a bit strange. 

Example: “My uncle is such a hard-case.”

20. Squiz 

A “slang” verb that means to take a quick look at something. 

Example: “Have a squiz at this video. It’s funny, eh?”

21. Hard Out

This is an expression used to fully agree with what someone has just said. 

Example:

Tim: “Auckland has some great cafes, ay?” 

Tom: “Hard out, bro!”

It can also be used to amplify an adjective.

Example: “These sunglasses are hardout expensive!” (They’re way too expensive).

And you can also use it to say something is amazing.

Example:

Barbara: “How was the food?”

Tim: “It was hardout! Choice!” (It was awesome).

22. Tu Meke/Too Much

“Tu meke” translates from Māori to “too much”. It’s a phrase that Kiwis use to show appreciation for something that someone did for them. 

Example:

Tim: “Don’t worry, bro. I’ll make that phone call for you.” 

Jay: “Tu meke, bro!”

23. Yeah Nah

Kiwis are generally very friendly towards each other and this is reflected in their language.

“Yeah nah” is proof of that. It means “no” but it’s a soft “no” that allows you to sound less direct. It’s a common expression both in New Zealand and Australia.

In fact, the Collins Dictionary says that “the phrase has been used 997,000 times on Twitter since 2010, and its usage has increased over time.”

Example:

Winnie: “Are you coming over tonight?”

Alex: “Yeah nah, I’m too tired.”

Winnie: “Sweet as.”

24. Yarn

If you have a yarn, you have a friendly chat. 

Example: “We were just having a yarn when his mum came in.”

25. Lollies

Candy or sweets.

Example: “All those lollies will give you a stomachache! Stop eating them!” 

26. A Chilly Bin

A portable container that keeps things cold, especially drinks. Australians call this an “eski” (from Eskimo).

Example: “Put those beers in the chilly bin, bro. They’ll get warm out here, ay.”

27. Tomato Sauce

Tomato sauce in New Zealand slang means ketchup. (I can hear Italians getting mad at this.)

Example: “Would you like tomato sauce on your chips?”

28. You Right?

This means “Are you okay?”

Example: 

Bro 1: “You right, bro?”

Bro 2: “Yeah, bro.”

29. All Good

This means “that’s ok” or “never mind” or “no problem”.

Kyle: “Sorry about that, bro.”

Jake: “All good, bro.”

30. Not Even

This is a way to disagree. It’s used to say “No way” or “That’s not true”

Example:

Jackie: “You’ll drive me to the shop, ay?”

John: “Not even! I’m too busy!”

31. A Feed

A meal.

Example:

Martin: “I haven’t eaten since this morning.”

Alex: “Let’s go for a feed. Macca’s?”

Martin: “Sweet as. Let’s do it.”

32. Macca’s

Kiwi (and Australian) slang for McDonald's.

Example: “Fancy a quick bite at Macca’s?”

33. A Cuppa

Short for “cup of coffee” or “cup of tea”. Kiwis love both.

Example: “Fancy a cuppa?”

34. Bring A Plate

If you get invited over for a party and they tell you to “bring a plate”, they’re not saying to bring an empty plate! What they’re saying is that they’d like you to bring a dish that you can eat together. SO make sure the plate is full!

Example:

Justin: “We’re having dinner at my place tomorrow. Wanna come?”

Amish: “Yeah. I’d love to.”

John: “Sweet as, bring a plate!”

35. Wop-Wops

A place in the middle of nowhere.

Example: “My uncle lives in the wop-wops.

36. Jandals

Flip-flops / tongs

Example: 

Tania: “Do you like my new jandals?”

Alex: “Yeah! Choice!”

37. Tiki Tour

If you decide to take a “tiki tour” it means you’re going on a journey with no destination in mind. It can also mean to take the long way to reach a place. Many tour companies use this expression and it’s now become synonymous with travelling in New Zealand.

Example: “Let's take a tiki tour around the North Island.”

38. Bach

A bach is a family holiday home. These are usually simple cottages near the beach.

Example: “We’re gonna stay at our aunt’s bach.”

39. Gumboots

Waterproof boots made of rubber.

Example: “I need a new pair of gumboots.”

40. Heaps

“Heaps”  means “a lot”. 

Example: “There are heaps of sheep in New Zealand. More sheep than people!”

41. Stoked

In Kiwi English, if you say you’re stoked, you’re saying you’re very pleased or excited. 

Example “I was so stoked when I saw you!”

42. Straight Up 

This is used to say you’re serious about what you’re saying. You can use it both in questions meaning “Are you serious?” and responses meaning “I’m serious.”

Example:

Jack: “Mary and Jack have broken up!”

Jane: “Straight up?”

Jack: “Straight up.”

“Straight up” could also mean “definitely”.

Example:

Marty: “Would you ever live in the wop-wops?”

John: “Straight up! I love peace and quiet.”

43. Chocka

If something is chocka, it means very full or busy. 

Example: “Your suitcase is chocka! Are you sure you need that many clothes bro?”

Another example: “The station was chocka today. I don’t know what was going on there.”

44. Skux

If someone is skux, they are really cool and attractive.

Example: “I’m telling you. That guy is skux, bro.”

45. Yonks

A Kiwi slang term to say that something took forever. 

Example: “That took yonks, bro!”

46. Jafa

This is an acronym to refer (in a negative way) to people from Auckland, the largest and most populated city in New Zealand. It stands for Just Another Fuc*ing Aucklander. Be careful as it’s not a nice one to use.

Example: “He’s a total Jafa.”

47. Nek Minnit

“Nek minnit” means “suddenly”. Here’s a funny story about this slang term from Wikipedia.

Nek minnit […] is an Internet meme made popular by New Zealand skateboarder Levi Hawken. Hawken appeared in a viral video which shows a scooter, apparently destroyed outside a dairy. The “nek minnit” video spawned many parodies and has become a popular slang term among the people of New Zealand.

Wikipedia

Example:

John: “What happened to your car, bro?”

Jack: “I was driving. Nek minnit I heard a bang. A truck hit me on the side and destroyed me!”

48. Grotty

If something is grotty, it means it’s disgusting.

Example: “The food was grotty bro!”

49. A Piece Of Piss

You may have heard of the English idiom “a piece of cake”. It means something it’s easy to do or achieve. “A piece of piss” is the (vulgar) slang version of that. You'll hear it in British slang too.

Example: “Of course I can do that bro. It’s a piece of piss!”

50. A Muppet

If you say someone is a muppet, you’re saying they’re an idiot.

Example: “Leave him alone, bro. He’s just a muppet”

Mastering Kiwi Slang

Sweet as bro! You've got to the end of this post. This list can be helpful but the best way to learn New Zealand slang may be to hang out with real Kiwi people in person or online.

You can watch New Zealand YouTube channels or listen to Kiwi English podcasts. That will help you immerse yourself in New Zealand slang.

The StoryLearning method (learning through stories) is also one of the most effective ways to expose your brain to English. 

Keep having fun and happy learning!

Olly Richards

Creator of the StoryLearning® Method

Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.

Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.

When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.