Kiwi Slang

Kiwi English Brew is spoken in the land is Aeotaeroa, the land of the long white cloud, other wise known as New Zealand.

The English spoken there is colloquially called Kiwi English, after their inhabitants the Kiwi’s. Kiwiland or New Zealand is a wealthy English speaking country, with a mixture of the proud Polynesian Maoris, and the white English speaking community. New Zealand is quite a formidable sporting nation and nothing makes a Kiwi prouder than their national rugby union team the All Blacks. The undisputed World Champions of rugby, whether they win a world cup or not. Every father wishes that their sons play one day for the All Blacks.

Kiwi English strangely enough was born from the very young Australian English dialect. It then received infusions from English from England dialects, and a strong influence from Scottish English. While are similarities in sound to Australian English, those who can’t tell the difference between the 2 would be tone deaf. The main difference are the vowel sounds.

Kiwi English accents, have them pronouncing vowels otherwise the most famous is the “i” sounding like a ‘U” therefore fish are pronounced “fush”. The “a’s” are pronounced “e’. The “e’s” are pronounced “i” and it goes on. You would think it would make it hard to understand, considering that Scottish also pronounce vowels similarly. If you listened to a Scottish person talking to a Kiwi, you would easily understand a Kiwi before a Scot.

Kiwi English shares a lot of slang vocabulary with their neighbours Australia, as you will see below.

The Kiwi- a national symbol of New Zealand

Quintessential Kiwi English

The standard greeting in Kiwiland is Cher Brew, which translates to Cheers Brew, and means Hello Brother. This is accompanied with a backward tilted nod of the head.

Also the expressions “choice” or “sweet as bro” when something is good or cool are quite commonly heard.

Kiwis are noted for saying ay! at the end of sentences

Greetings and Salutations

Cher Brew- (Cheers Bro/ Brother) Hello

Gidday- Good day as in Australia

How it going mate – a common greeting

Kia-ora- Hello (traditional Maori greeting)

In the Bar

New Zealand is noted for being good makers of alcohol. Steinlager and Monteiths are 2 great beers from the country. The wines are also quite popular and very competitive, some good wines like Giesen coming from the Marlborough area

I’ll hive a Steinie brew- I”l have a Steinlager thanks (Steinlager is New Zealands favourite beer)

Wi don’t need a  bar brew. I’ve got the chully bun ful of beer
Portable ice box

That’s Cool

Choice-great

Sweet as bro

That’s cool, understood/agreed

Tu meke – great (Maori origin)

On the Street

Ay cuz, your car is munted
To be in a bad state

Bugger!(fairly polite)
Damn it!

Pakeha
New Zealand of European origin (white)

Howzut goin Cuz?
How are you friend?

I luve un Godzone -live in Godzone
Short for God’s own country meaning New Zealand

Hot water bottle

What u cold summer! I dudn’t weir jandals ut all
What a cold summer. I didn’t wear jandals at all

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