Kiwi-English is an amalgamation of British and US English. Here are some of the most common words and phrases.
This list is printed with thanks to romance author Rosalind James: https://rosalindjames.com/1836/
advert: commercial
air con: air conditioning
arvo, this arvo: afternoon
Aussie, Oz: Australia. (An Australian is also an Aussie. Pronounced “Ozzie.”)
bin, rubbish bin: trash can
Cake Tin: Wellington’s rugby stadium (not the official name, but it looks exactly like a springform pan)
CBD: Central Business District; downtown
chat up: flirt with
chips: French fries. (potato chips are “crisps”)
chuck out: throw away
cuddle: hug (give a cuddle)
cuppa: a cup of tea (the universal remedy)
dodgy: suspect, low-quality
duvet: comforter
En Zed: Pronunciation of NZ. (“Z” is pronounced “Zed.”)
ensuite: master bath (a bath in the bedroom).
flash: fancy
flat white: most popular NZ coffee. An espresso with milk but no foam.
footpath: sidewalk
garden: yard
get on the piss: get drunk
it’s not on: It’s not all right
jandals: flip-flops. (This word is only used in New Zealand. Jandals and gumboots are the iconic Kiwi footwear.)
journo: journalist
Kiwi: New Zealander OR the bird. If the person, it’s capitalized. Not the fruit.
knackered: exhausted
lounge: living room
munted: broken
narked, narky: annoyed
phone’s engaged: phone’s busy
plunger: French Press coffeemaker
pohutukawa: native tree; called the “New Zealand Christmas Tree” for its beautiful red blossoms at Christmastime (high summer)
Pom, Pommie: English person
shout, your shout, my shout, shout somebody a coffee: buy a round, treat somebody
sorted: taken care of
spot on: absolutely correct. “That’s spot on. You’re spot on.”
suss out: figure out
takeaway: takeout (food)
torch: flashlight
trainers: athletic shoes
tramping: hiking
Uni: University
SJGrey.com 