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What are some local phrases and words I might need to know and what do they mean?
| Slang phrase or word: | Meaning: | |
| Bring a plate | Used very commonly in an invitation “ladies bring a plate”. It means you take a plate of food appropriate to the function you are invited to so that it can be shared | |
| Bumper (of the car) | Fender | |
| Boot (of the car) | Trunk | |
| Bush | Small forest | |
| BYO | “bring your own” such as provide your own alcohol at a restaurant or function | |
| Chemist | Pharmacy | |
| Cheers | Goodbye or thanks or good luck | |
| Chips | French fries or potato crisps | |
| Charge an arm and a leg | Expensive price or cost for a purchase or a service | |
| Chilly bin | Insulated container for keeping food and drinks cold | |
| DIY | "Do it yourself" - repairs, small building alterations & landscaping jobs | |
| Box of birds | Feeling fine, fit and healthy | |
| Blow me down | Expression of surprise | |
| Blow that for a joke | That’s not funny | |
| Cack-handed | Left handed | |
| Choice | Very good | |
| Flat tack | Going very fast | |
| Dairy | Corner store selling a wide range of items | |
| Hokey pokey | A flavour of ice cream | |
| Kick the bucket | Die [as in dead] | |
| Electric jug | Kettle | |
| Pakeha | Non Maori person | |
| Pikelet | Small pancake | |
| Jandal | Thongs, flip flops | |
| He or she doesn’t know whether they are Arthur or Martha | To be confused | |
| Lay-by | Arrangement with a retailer where they will put the article aside for you and you pay it off slowly (usually within 3 months) | |
| Loo | Bathroom, toilet | |
| Pot luck dinner | A social event where everyone brings a different dish of food to share | |
| Raining cats and dogs | To be raining heavily | |
| Ring someone | Telephone someone | |
| Rattle your dags | Hurry up | |
| She’ll be right | It will be okay | |
| Cash-strapped | Short of money | |
| Sunday driver | Driving slowly | |
| Got it sussed | Figured it out | |
| Tea | General term for evening meal | |
| Tiki tour | A roundabout way of getting somewhere; scenic tour | |
| Yonks | A very long time | |
| Wop wops | Out of the way location | |
| Whinge | Complain |
Kiwiana - What Else should I know about speaking in New Zealand?
We have different accents to Australians, although to many people it sounds similar. Kiwis tend to speak very fast so ask us to slow down if you are having trouble understanding us.
Kiwiana – Are there differences between North and South Island accents?
Not a lot – accents seem to become stronger the further south one travels, and there are a few dialect differences. Otago-south people tend to say ‘crib’ when referring to a holiday home. You will probably hear the term ‘wee’ [meaning little] and unlikely to hear that expression used very often in the North Island.Likewise, South Islanders tend to use the name zucchini for the vegetable whereas courgette is more commonly used in the North Island.
Kiwiana - What is considered impolite to Kiwi people?
Talking too loudly in conversation will surprise Kiwis. Spitting is considered dirty and uncouth. Standing too close to a person when talking to them is quite strange to Kiwis who are accustomed to a wide personal space.
If you are interested in finding out more about living and working in Hamilton/Waikato, please contact us here or phone the Settlement Support Co-ordinator.
Phone: 07 853 0468
