New Zealand slang can be quite hard to follow, especially when combined with our fast talking, and can sometimes leave those with an untrained ear completely bewildered.
Below is a list of some Kiwi colloquial phrases to help you talk like a true Kiwi.
Aye – “It was cloudy this morning, aye?”
This is a classic slang word which can be pretty much added to any sentence you can think of. It’s often used at the end of a question or in agreement to a statement.
Yeah Nah – “Did the presentation go well?”, “yeah, nah it didn’t”
This means no.
Nah Yeah – “Did the presentation go well”, “nah, yeah it did”
This means yes.
Bugger all – “I have bugger all cash left”
This means they don’t have much cash left.
Bugger – *something bad happens* “Bugger!”
Slang that’s used when something goes wrong.
Chur!
This can be used as a greeting, farewell or as a thank you.
Bro & Cuz – “Chur bro, how’s it going?” OR “Awesome, thanks Cuz!”
These words are used when addressing another person, rarely a brother or cousin.
The Wops – “They live out in the wops”
These people live a really far way away, in the middle of nowhere.
Carked it – “The car has carked it”
This means the car has died.
Chocker – “There’s no more room in the car, it’s chockers”
This is short for “chocker-block” and means the car is full.
Sus – “He looks a bit sus” OR “that’s a bit sus”
This means suspicious.
Piece of Piss – “Can you build this for me?”, “yeah, it’s a piece of piss”
This means it’s easy.
She’ll be right – “Do you need some help?”, “nah she’ll be right”.
This means it will be okay.
Keen – “Do you want to come out with us tonight?”, “yeah, I’m keen!”
When someone is enthusiastic about something.
Jandals – “Grab your jandals for the beach”
Jandals mean sandals in New Zealand.
Gumboots – “Put on your gumboots, we’re going to the farm”
Another word for Wellingtons or Rubber Boots.
Hard out – “Yeah, hard out”
This is used to agree with someone.
Egg – “You’re an egg”, “don’t be an egg”
This is another word for an idiot. It comes from the classic Kiwi movie “Boy”.
Good as gold – “It’s good as gold”
This means everything or everyone is great.
Yarn – “Spinning a yarn”, “we had a good yarn”
This means conversation or telling a story.
Chilly bin
This is another word for an Esky or Cooler Bin, where you keep your drinks cold.
No worries – “No worries, mate”
This means no problem.
Yeah, right
When you don’t believe what someone is saying.
Heaps – “I have heaps of time”
This means a lot – I have “a lot” of time.
Crack up – “That was crack up!”
This means that something is funny.
Crash here – “do you want to crash here?”
This means do you want to stay or sleep here.
Squizz – “Can I have a squizz at your new kitchen?”
This means look.
Ta
Thanks.
Sweet as – “sweet as, bro”
This means that’s okay, no problem, no worries, sounds good etc.
