Togs
/ togz /
Swimwear. Bathers. Your swimming costume.
“Grab your togs, we’re going to Piha!”
Your pocket guide
The Kiwi primer
Sound like a local in no time. Keep this page handy — sweet as!
Speak Kiwi
Slang glossary
A few words you’ll definitely hear while you’re here.
Jandals
/ jan-dulz /
Flip-flops / thongs. Short for “Japanese sandals”.
“It’s a jandals kind of day.”
Tramping
/ tram-ping /
Hiking. A long walk in the bush, often over several days.
“We’re going tramping in the Waitākeres.”
Sweet as
/ sweet-azz /
No worries, all good, great. The “as” intensifies anything.
“Sweet as, see you at 4!”
Choice
/ choys /
Awesome! Excellent!
“That hāngī was choice, bro.”
Dairy
/ dair-ee /
The corner shop / convenience store. Not just milk!
“I’ll grab ice blocks from the dairy.”
Bach
/ batch /
A modest holiday home, usually by the beach. (“Crib” in the South Island.)
“We’re heading up to the bach for the weekend.”
Arvo
/ ar-vo /
Afternoon.
“See you this arvo.”
Bro
/ broh /
Friend, mate — used for basically anyone, of any gender.
“Chur, bro!”
Mate
/ mayt /
Friend. Also used warmly with total strangers.
“Cheers, mate!”
Kia ora
/ kee-ah oh-rah /
Hello, thank you, and good health — from te reo Māori, used by everyone.
“Kia ora, welcome to Auckland!”
Bring a plate
/ bring-uh playt /
Bring a dish of food to share at a gathering — a potluck.
* Footnote: it means bring food — not an empty plate! Every Kiwi has a story about the visitor who turned up holding a clean, empty dinner plate. Don’t be that guest. 😄
Te reo Māori
Basic greetings
Te reo Māori is an official language of Aotearoa New Zealand. Locals will love it if you give these a go.
Kia ora
Hello · Thank you · Good health
kee-ah OH-rah
Haere mai
Welcome
HIGH-reh my
Tēnā koe
Formal greeting (to one person)
TEH-nah kweh
Ka kite anō
See you again
kah KEE-teh ah-NAW
Aroha
Love · compassion
ah-ROH-hah
Whānau
Family · extended family
FAH-noh
Tip: in te reo, “wh” is usually pronounced like an “f”, and macrons (ā, ē, ō) lengthen the vowel.
Respect & manners
Cultural notes
Māori culture
Māori are the tangata whenua (people of the land). If you visit a marae (meeting grounds), follow your hosts’ lead — there may be a formal welcome called a pōwhiri. Avoid sitting on tables or pillows, as the head and food are considered tapu (sacred).
The haka
The haka is a ceremonial Māori dance — not just a pre-game rugby ritual. It’s performed to welcome, honour, celebrate or challenge, including at weddings. If you witness one, watch respectfully; it’s a powerful expression of emotion and identity.
Shoes off
Many Kiwi homes are shoes-off — if you see a pile at the door, add yours. You’ll also need to remove shoes before entering a wharenui (meeting house) on a marae. Barefoot at the dairy? Totally normal here.