If you’ve spent any time around New Zealanders, you’ll know we have our own way of talking: Kiwi slang. We shorten things and stretch out vowels. And we throw around slang like everyone in the world grew up doing the same.

It’s all part of the charm, but if you’re planning a self-drive trip around Aotearoa, a little Kiwi vocab goes a long way.

Here are a few things you’ll hear on the road, in the supermarket carpark, at a café, or on a walking trail. Learn them and you’ll fit right in.

What Kiwis Say (and What We Actually Mean)

Sweet as
A very Kiwi way of saying “all good”, “no worries”, or “sounds great”. There’s no “what” after the “as”. It’s simply sweet as.

Yeah, nah / Nah, yeah
It’s confusing until you’re used to it.
Yeah, nah = probably not.
Nah, yeah = actually yes.
Tone of voice helps, but when in doubt, the second word is usually the real answer.

Togs
Your swimwear. You’ll see “bring your togs” on signs at hot pools or beaches. If someone says “don’t forget your togs”, they’re not talking about shoes.

Jandals
Flip-flops. Thongs if you’re Australian. These are worn everywhere in summer, especially down at the lake or beach.

Dairy
Your local corner shop. Depending on where you’re from you might call it a convenience store. This is where you head for an ice cream, a cold drink, or emergency snacks.

Chilly bin
A cooler or esky. Helpful on long driving days when you want to keep picnic supplies chilled.

Bach / Crib
A small holiday home. Bach is the North Island term; Crib is used more in the South Island. You’ll come across these a lot if you’re booking Airbnb-style accommodation.

Keen
Up for it, interested, ready to go. “Keen for a walk?” means exactly that.

Tramping
Hiking. Kiwis rarely say hiking. If someone says “I’m going tramping this weekend”, they’ll probably return sunburned and happy.

A cuppa
A cup of tea or coffee. Often offered the moment you walk into someone’s house.

The wops / Out the back of beyond
Somewhere very rural or remote. You’ll probably drive through a few spots “in the wops” on a New Zealand road trip.

Buggered
Tired, done for the day. You might feel this after a long hike up in Tongariro or a full day exploring Fiordland.

Choice
Good, excellent, happy with that. A timeless Kiwi compliment.

Lolly
Any sweet or confectionery. Not just lollipops. And if someone offers you a “lolly cake” at a café, give it a try.

Road Trip Phrases You’ll Hear from Locals

“Give it a hoon”
Have a go. Someone might say this when recommending a new walking track, a lookout, or a local bakery.

“She’ll be right”
This one pops up often. It basically means “don’t stress, it’ll work out”.

“Up the road / down the road”
Could be five minutes or half an hour. Kiwis aren’t strict with distance. We just point in a general direction.

“Chuck a u-ey”
Make a U-turn.

“Go the long way, it’s mean as”
Take the scenic route. And yes, “mean” here sometimes means “great”.

A Few Māori Words You’ll Hear Everywhere

You’ll notice Māori words are used naturally in everyday speech here. A few handy ones:

Aotearoa – New Zealand
Kia ora – Hello, thanks, welcome
Whānau – Family
Kai – Food
Wai – Water (you’ll see this in place names often)
Puku – Stomach or tummy
Manaakitanga – Hospitality or care for others

These words weave through our conversations and signs, especially when travelling through smaller towns or regions with strong local iwi connections.

Going down the Rabbit hole of Kiwi Slang

We’re all fascinated by the way we speak across countries and cultures. It’s the subject of many a Youtube video (including this great survey of the nature of NZ expressions from the New Zealand Stories channel) and New Zealand slang is the subject of many a blog or video.

We’ve tried to start you off on the right foot here but there’s a bit of fun to be had exploring the wonders of language. Local celebrity “How to Dad” offers a guide that might put a smile on your face and send you off on fun journey.

You’re Ready to Hit the Road

Understanding a bit of Kiwi slang makes travelling around Aotearoa feel more relaxed and familiar. You’ll get better at it the longer you’re here, and before long you’ll be telling people you’re “keen for a tramp”, stopping at the dairy for snacks, and agreeing that something was “choice”.

If you’re planning a self-drive trip and want help piecing together the best places, routes, or hidden stops, the WeTour team is here to help. Let us know what you’re keen to see, and we’ll get you sorted.