Kiwi Slang - What the Heck Did I Just Say?

As a tour driver, I’m constantly being asked, “Wait… what did you just say?” Fair enough too — being a true blue Kiwi woman, I tend to speak fluent Kiwi Slang without even thinking.

I chuck in the odd “yeah nah,” “sweet as,” and “mate” like it’s second nature — because it is. Honestly, I reckon half the time my international passengers think I’m making words up on the spot. (Sometimes I am.)

So, to save confusion, I’ve put together a list of classic Kiwi slang I’ve had the privilege — or should I say pleasure — of translating for visitors. And guess what? They absolutely froth it.

Scroll on, have a laugh, and prepare to become at least 12% more fluent in Aotearoa-speak. You’re welcome!

Kiwi Slang and common phrases!

Sweet as - Awesome! Great!

Yeah, nah - Polite way of saying “no” while sounding like you're thinking about it.

Nah, yeah - Actually means “yes.” Confused yet?

Chur - Thanks! Also used to express agreement, excitement, or approval. "Chur, bro!" Mainly used in the North Island.

Bro - This can be a Mate, friend, stranger, cousin… basically anyone and everyone.

Cuz / Cuzzy - Another way of saying Bro, could even be your cousin!

Hard out - Totally agree. For real. 100%.

Mean - Awesome, cool, wicked.

Choice - Good stuff. Cool. Used more in the North Island.

Chilly bin - This is a cooler or icebox.

Togs - Swimsuit. These relate to men’s and women’s togs.

Budgie Smugglers - Speedo’s. I always get a laugh when I refer to mens Speedo’s as Budgie Smugglers.

Speedos - Togs

Jandals - Flip-flops / thongs. The national summer footwear.

Thongs - Undies or underwear.

Bach (pronounced 'batch') - Holiday home, usually near a beach. North Island.

Crib - Same as a Bach. South Island.

Wop-wops - Middle of nowhere. “I live way out in the Wop wops!”

Munted - Broken, destroyed, or totally ruined.

Bugger - Damn it. Term for disappointment.

Buggered - Really tired. “I’m really buggered from all that hard work!.

Bugger all - To have nothing left. “I’ve got bugger all money left!”

Old bugger - Kind of like a term of endearment. “He’s a funny old bugger”. Not meant to offend.

Keen - Excited or very up for something. “Wanna go on a road trip, keen?”

Dairy - Corner shop / convenience store. “Just going to get some milk from the Dairy”.

Pie - A meat pie. The Kiwis take their pies extremely seriously! There is even a national pie competition!

Yarn - When you have a conversation with someone. "We had a good yarn with the locals."

Stoked - Really happy and excited.

All good - It’s fine. No worries. Chill out.

Wicked - Awesome, choice, brilliant, really good.

Pack a sad – When you get upset with something or someone. Someone might say, “Are you packing a sad?”

Suss – To sort out or figure out. “We’ll suss it out before we go.”

Hoon – To drive fast (or recklessly). “Oh, that fellas a real hoon bro!”

Tiki tour – Taking the scenic route. May involve getting slightly lost on purpose! lol

Dag – A funny person or someone a bit odd. “You’re such a dag!”

Hard Case - Same as Dag. I often get called a Hard Case! “Your such a hard case Cara!”

She'll be right - A classic phrase used to reassure someone, often with a bit of a nonchalant tone.

Good as gold - Means everything is going great or is excellent. Everything is good, no worries!

Heaps - Means a lot or many. “We’ve got heaps of hot chips.”

Plonk - A slang term for cheap wine.

Bloke - A man.

Ankle biter - More of an older generation term for small kid.

Judder bar - Speed bump.

Chocka - Full, overflowing.

Snag or Sanga - Sausage.

Fizzy drink - Soda or pop.

Gidday - Friendly hello or good day. Generally used by the older generation. “Gidday mate”.