54 Kiwi Slang Phrases Explained
New Zealanders - affectionately known as Kiwis - are reknown for having a unique variety of slang, catch phrases and colloquialisms. Here are 54 of our pet kiwi slang phrases and what they mean!
- Munted - A very commonly used term, generally meaning that the object is broken, destroyed, useless or if referring to a person - drunk or intoxicated.
- Maccas - McDonalds food chain
- Snags - Sausages
- Barbie - Barbeque
- Bro - One of the most commonly used slangs, meaning "mate", "friend" or similar.
- Stoked - Happy or chuffed about something
- Yeah...nah - Basically means no, but in a more vague way.
- Wop Wops - In the middle of nowhere
- Cuz or Cuzzie - Abbreviation of cousin
- Scull - To down your drink.
- Westie - Someone who lives in West Auckland.
- Jafa - Someone who lives in Auckland.
- Crook - Generally meaning feeling unwell. Or could be the standard reference to a criminal.
- Tiki tour - To make a detour from the direct route to your destination.
- Sweet as - Means no problem.
- All good - Means no problem.
- Durrie - Cigarette
- Chur - Means thanks
- Chocka - Means full
- Sus - Means suspicious
- Hard case - Means funny, a right character
- Packing a sad - Having a tantrum or being upset over something
- Bloody mare - A hard time or bad situation
- Turps - Alcohol
- Handle the jandle - Deal with the situation
- You're an egg - You're a fool
- Gutted - Dismayed, disappointed
- Taking the piss - Joking, making fun of.
- Nek minit - Next minute (something happened)
- Beaut - Something really good.
- Chips - Fish and chips are a very popular, cheap takeaway meal in New Zealand. To others, it sounds like "chups".
- Dairy - A corner store with everyday essentials such as milk, newspapers, ice creams, cigarettes and often Lotto tickets.
- Bach - A holiday home.
- Eh - Depending on the pronunciation, this either means yes if pronouned "ayy". If said as a question, ie "eh?" it means "huh? what do you mean?"
- She'll be right - It will be ok.
- Twink - White out correction tape/fluid/pens.
- OE - Overseas Experience
- Redbands - A brand of hardy, lightweight gumboots made for all ages.
- Gumboots - A pair of hardy rubber footware used on the farm.
- Jandle - Also known as flip-flops or thongs. A casual form of rubber footwear.
- Feijoa - A fruit tree or shrub grown easily in much of New Zealand. Produces a round green fruit generally Autumn to Winter.
- Chilly bin - An ice box or cooler bin used to store picnics, cold beverages etc.
- L & P - A popular Kiwi made soda drink.
- Pav - A fluffy desert made mostly from whipped egg whites and sugar. Kiwi or Australian invented..
- Sav - Short for saveloy. A cocktail sausage.
- Duvet - A type of bedding with a removable cover over a soft flat bag of down, wool or feathers.
- Pineapple Lumps - A chewy pineapple flavoured lolly covered in chocolate.
- Scarfie - Nickname for university students in Dunedin - so called because of the traditional blue and gold scarves worn by students during the winter.
- Glad® wrap - A clingy film wrapping used in the kitchen for keeping food fresh.
- Stubbies - A brand name for mens shorts, but referring to short shorts for men.
- Lamington - A sponge cake coated in an outer layer of chocolate or rasberry and desicated coconut.
- Togs - Swimwear
- Ute - Abbreviation for utility vehicle. A car with trayback.
- Kiwi - May refer to the small brown flightless nocturnal bird that is native to New Zealand, or people from New Zealand. I.e. "he's a kiwi" - or "he's a New Zealander".
