New Zealand Language

Like most former British colonies, New Zealanders speak English – albeit with a uniquely kiwi twist.  Here is a guide to New Zealand's three official languages, and a short dictionary of Kiwi slang to help you through your NZ holiday.

 

 

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New Zealand Language

New Zealand actually has three official languages – Maori, English and Sign Language.

Although the use of Maori as a first language is not widespread, many place names are Maori in origin (try tongue-twisters such as Paekakariki, Turangawaewae or Ngaruawahia!). In addition, most government agencies have bilingual names. 

New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) became an official language of New Zealand in April 2006. More information on New Zealand Sign Language can be found on the New Zealand Deaf Association website.

English is, in itself, a unique language full of many colloquialisms foreigners may find challenging to decipher.

So, if you don’t know how to rattle your dags, no worries mate – she’ll be right with our Kiwi slang guide! 


Guide to Kiwi Slang

Some common Kiwi colloquialisms you may encounter on your visit:

bach 

 holiday home  

mate  

 buddy, friend

brassed off 

 annoyed  

no worries 

 no need to worry

choice

 very good  

pakeha 

 non-Maori New Zealander

crikey

 wow!  

rattle your dags 

 hurry up

crook  

 unwell  

she’ll be right 

 not a problem

cuppa  

 cup of tea, coffee  

stubby  

 small bottle of beer

dairy  

 corner store  

stuffed  

 really tired

dunny  

 toilet  

suss  

 to figure out

fizzy drink 

 soda pop  

ta  

 thanks

flash  

 looking good  

tata  

 goodbye

good on ya, mate!

 well done  

take-aways 

 fast food

good as gold

 affirmative answer  

take a hike

 go away!

hard yakka

 hard work  

tea  

 dinner

hunky dory 

 everything’s fine  

tiki tour  

 scenic tour, roundabout way

jandal

 thongs, flip-flops  

tramping 

 hiking

jersey  

 sweater  

tomato sauce 

 ketchup

lift  

 elevator  

wellies 

 gumboots

lolly  

 candy  

wop-wops 

 out of the way location

loo  

 toilet  

yonks 

forever


Maori Language

Many Maori words have been absorbed into day-to-day use, and are commonly used in conversation.

Aotearoa  

 New Zealand: “Land of the Long White Cloud”  

Tangata Whenua 

 Original people, people belonging to the land

Aroha   

 Love, compassion  

Tangi   

 Funeral, mourn

E noho ra 

 Goodbye (from person leaving)  

Taonga   

 Treasured possession, anything precious

E haere ra

 Goodbye (from person staying)  

Tapu   

 Sacred, not to be touched

Haere mai

 Welcome!  

Tena koe  

 Formal greeting to one person

Haka   

 War dance, challenge  

Tena koutou  

 Formal greeting to many people

Hapu   

 Clan, sub-tribe  

Tena tatou katoa

 Formal inclusive greeting to everyone

Hui    

 Gathering, meeting  

Turangawaewae 

 A place to stand, home

Iwi   

 People, tribe  

Wahine   

 Woman

Kaumatua  

 Elders  

Waiata   

 Song

Kia Ora

 Hi!  

Waka   

 Canoe

Mana   

 Authority, power  

Whakapapa  

 Genealogy

Marae

 Meeting house complex  

Whanau  

 Extended family

Pakeha   

 Non-Maori, European  

Whare nui  

 Meeting house

Pounamu  

 Greenstone, Jade  

Whare Whakairo  

 Carved meeting house

Tamariki  

 Children  

Whenua  

 Land, homeland, country

Tane   

 Man      

Maori Pronunciation

Maori language has five vowels: a e i o u

  • ‘a' as in ‘far’
  • ‘e’ as in ‘egg’
  • 'i' like the ‘ee’ in ‘fee’
  • 'o' sounds like "or" 
  • ‘u' like an ‘o’ in ‘to’

The consonent ‘wh’ sounds similar to the english ‘f’.

The ‘ng’ sound is similar to the ‘ng’ sound in a word like ‘sing’.