50 Essential New Zealand Travel Words: Kiwi Slang & Māori Phrases
Planning a trip to Aotearoa New Zealand? Understanding local lingo makes navigating the country, ordering food, and chatting with locals much easier. From essential Te Reo Māori greetings to everyday Kiwi slang, this searchable dictionary covers the 50 most important phrases every traveler should know before landing.
Kia ora
Te Reo MāoriHello, thank you, or cheers (literal: "be well"). Used widely across NZ as an everyday informal greeting.
Aotearoa
Te Reo MāoriThe Māori name for New Zealand ("land of the long white cloud").
Kai
Te Reo MāoriFood or a meal (e.g., "Let's grab some kai").
Haere mai
Te Reo MāoriWelcome / come in. Frequently seen on airport signage and store entrances.
Tāne
Te Reo MāoriMan, husband, or male.
Wāhine
Te Reo MāoriWoman, wife, or female.
Mahi
Te Reo MāoriWork, job, activity, or effort (e.g., "Get stuck into the mahi").
Mean
Kiwi SlangAwesome, fantastic, or really cool (e.g., "That was a mean meal").
All good
Kiwi SlangNo problem, everything is fine, or you're welcome.
Kiwi
Kiwi SlangA New Zealander (also refers to the native flightless bird and kiwi fruit).
Sweet as
Kiwi SlangNo problem, awesome, or agreed. General positive response.
Choice
Kiwi SlangExcellent, great, or top quality.
Chur
Kiwi SlangThanks, cheers, or right on.
Stoked
Kiwi SlangExtremely happy, thrilled, or excited.
Buggered
Kiwi SlangExhausted, worn out, or broken beyond repair.
Chocka
Kiwi SlangCompletely full or crowded (short for chock-a-block).
Gutted
Kiwi SlangBitterly disappointed or deeply saddened.
Gidday
Kiwi SlangHello / good day; classic informal greeting.
No worries
Kiwi SlangYou're welcome, no problem, or no trouble at all.
Hard out
Kiwi Slang"Totally" or "I completely agree." Used to strongly endorse what someone said.
Give it heaps
Kiwi SlangPut in full effort, push hard, or go fast.
Good as gold
Kiwi SlangEverything is fine, working out well, or agreed.
Rattle your dags
Kiwi SlangHurry up or get a move on.
Suss it out
Kiwi SlangTo investigate, figure out, or organize something.
Footy
Kiwi SlangRugby union or rugby league; New Zealand's national sports obsession.
Smashed
Kiwi SlangExtremely tired, exhausted, or heavily defeated in a game.
Fella
Kiwi SlangA man, guy, or male friend.
Flat out
Kiwi SlangExtremely busy or moving at maximum speed.
Give it a go
Kiwi SlangTry something new or give it a shot.
Piece of cake
Kiwi SlangVery easy or simple task to accomplish.
Dodgy
Kiwi SlangSuspicious, risky, low quality, or unreliable.
Dairy
Travel & PlacesLocal corner convenience store selling milk, snacks, and daily essentials.
Bach
Travel & PlacesA holiday home or beach cottage (pronounced "batch").
Jandals
Travel & PlacesFlip-flops or thongs (short for Japanese sandals).
Togs
Travel & PlacesSwimwear, bathing suit, or trunks.
Chilly bin
Travel & PlacesA portable icebox or cooler.
Tramping
Travel & PlacesHiking, trekking, or backpacking through wilderness trails.
Tiki tour
Travel & PlacesTaking a scenic, roundabout route to get somewhere.
Sunnies
Travel & PlacesSunglasses.
Gumboots
Travel & PlacesWaterproof rubber rain boots (known elsewhere as Wellies).
Main drag
Travel & PlacesThe primary or main street in a city or small town.
Bluebird day
Travel & PlacesA clear, bright sunny day with cloudless blue skies (ideal for outdoor adventures).
Flat white
Food & DrinkEspresso served with microfoamed milk and minimal froth.
Shout
Food & DrinkTo pay for someone else’s meal or round of drinks ("My shout!").
Lollies
Food & DrinkCandy, sweets, or confectionery.
Feed
Food & DrinkA large, hearty, and satisfying meal.
L&P
Food & DrinkLemon & Paeroa; iconic New Zealand fizzy sweet soft drink.
Kūmara
Food & DrinkSweet potato, a staple root vegetable in New Zealand cuisine.
Mānuka
Food & DrinkNative tea tree famous for producing rich, antibacterial Mānuka honey.
Hokey pokey
Food & DrinkPopular NZ ice cream flavor made of vanilla with crunchy honeycomb pieces.
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