Arriving in NZ, you’ll undoubtedly be shocked and amazed by our cultural mystique. You’ll surely have questions, and we think we can predict what they’ll be:
- “Why do you have a public holiday for the Queen’s Birthday, but poms don’t?”
- “Is there anyone who wasn’t an extra in The Lord of the Rings?”
- “What time does Spitting Feathers open?”
- “Why do people in rural New Zealand look at me that way when I say I am residing in Auckland?”
- “Will you please be my sponsor so that I can stay here?”
- “Will you please marry me so that I can stay here?”
- “What is a whaka?”
- “Could you please spell that for me?”
- “Did you just hear the same thing I just heard on the radio?”
- “Feijoa. Person, place or thing??”
- “Why isn’t that person wearing shoes?”
- “Is it important to know who the Briscoes lady is?”
- “Okay, so rent is $450. This is for a month, right?”
- “Is anyone going to bring my bill to my table?”
- “What is EFTPOS?”
- “So apart from London and Edinburgh, which other parts of the UK did you visit on your OE?”
- “How is this front page news!?”
- “So, how long have you been in New Zealand?”
- “Is a shore girl really a sure thing? For real?”
- “Why doesn’t anyone take the train?”
- “Why are the electrical plugs so poorly designed?”
- “Will it be considered politically incorrect if I say so?”
- “Is this a sweet or a lolly?”
- “Please can someone explain the NZ health system?”
- “Are all the beaches in this country so stunning?”
- “How much does a tomato / avocado / punnet of strawberries cost?”
- “Why don’t we do things like this back where I am from?”
Like this list? Quiz yourself on your NZ Slang.
