New Zealand Words
cinema sweet (called Jaffas), which consist of a spherical marble sized shell of orange/red candy filled with chocolate. This explains the superfluous ‘F’ in some versions of the acronym.
Jandals slang as in US and UK “flip-flops”, Australia “thongs”. Portmanteau of Japanese Sandal. See Jandals.
Joker – bloke, guy, fulla… usually a general term for Kiwi male, with positive connotations. Sometimes a “good joker” or “funny joker”, never used in derogation. Although about two generations old from the time of entry, it is still recognised and understood.
Kai – food in Maori.
kapai – “Good” or “nice”. Maori for that’s good. Has entered the lexicon of non-Maori speakers.
kina – sea urchin
Mainland informal usually, but not always, refers (sometimes mildly humorously) to the South Island, which, despite its much smaller population, is the larger of the two main islands of New Zealand.
Manus – A derogatory term meaning idiot or imbecile. Pronounced ‘Mah – niss’. Derived from ‘male’ ‘anus’. Common in West Auckland.
Mint – meaning ‘excellent’ or ‘good quality’
Mucky – informal A term used for making a mess, or some something that can be messy.
OE or Big OE informal overseas experience, time spent travelling and working overseas, usually beginning in London.
P – a recently adopted term for Crystallised Methamphetamine. “P” stands for “pure”, which it was also called. During the mid-2000s, the New Zealand Media popularised this term for the illegal drug, and other terms are all but unused.
paua – abalone
pecking order – order of which siblings are born.
pottle in some areas, the unit by which strawberries and certain other fruit are sold. In other parts of New Zealand, the terms “chip” and “punnet”, shared with UK English, are better known. The term also refers to any small plastic container, as eg. for yoghurt
Queen Street farmer informal humorous a usually pejorative term for an investor in rural land with no knowledge of land use.
Rej – pronounced “reedge”. Abbr. of “reject”, a schoolyard insult.
Remuera tractor/Fendalton tractor slang humorous a usually pejorative term for an SUV (known as a “four wheel drive” locally) (compare Queen Street farmer, above). See Toorak Tractor.
Rogernomics – a political term applied to so-called ‘economic reforms’ of the 1980s, and continuing worldwide today. These involved turning public assets and property over to private interest; selling government land and companies for short-term , one-off profit. Named in honour of its spearheading MP, Sir Roger Douglas.
rolls/rollies – rolling tobacco (see tayllies)
scarfie slang a university student, particularly one studying at the University of Otago.
skux – slang, term of endearment given to males who dress well, and/or are good at picking up women. Common in Palmerston North and Wellington.
shraps – slang, coins/loose change – derived from shrapnel which may also be used.
sewl – slang,farewell/good-bye corruption of “see you all later” pronounced similar to “seal” (an extremely fast and slurred “see-you-all” ending in mumbled ‘l’ sound)
Shot – slang said instead of thanks or cheers, commonly as “Shot bro” or “Shot g”. Also a n alternatives for “well done” or “impressive”, both in the sarcastic (mumbled) and non-sarcastic (loud) form.
sookie bubba noun (sometimes spelt ‘sooky baba’ or variants) – NZ version of crybaby, wimp, tangiweto (maori). Extension of ‘sook’ as used elsewhere.
snags – sausages, bratwurst
snarlers – sausages, bratwurst
spud – slang potato, now a brand of potato chips
stores – slang, groceries (mainly used in Gisborne)
stubbie – slang bottle of beer
sweet-as colloquialism- all-purpose phrase meaning “great” or “awesome”. Also equally used as an equivalent to “no problems” or “fine”, for example:
1) A: “We beat them 48-3.” B: “Sweet-as!”
2) A: “Can you get this finished off for me?” B: “Yeah mate, sweet-as.”
tailies – cigarettes; shortened from tailor-made cigarettes.
tin – slang Corrugated roofing iron, an icon of New Zealand architecture and widely used in old and new houses.
Too Much – Good, Great, very pleased
Trots – ‘Harness racing’, or Diarrhea.
Twink – A popular brand of correction fluid that has become a generic term. Similar to Jandals.
Tu Meke – Maori word meaning ‘Great’ or ‘Too much’
up the Puhoi slang far from civilisation. The Puhoi is a river just north of Auckland. Over the years the phrase has evolved and is now often heard as “Up the Boohai”. It is also sometimes attributed to other New Zealand rivers. Again, more characteristic