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jandal

NZ term for flip-flop. Australians use the term "thong"... but that's just wrong!!
After a japanese swimming team came to NZ (many decades ago), one observer was so impressed with their style of footwear that he began making them himself - he came up with the word "Jandal" as an abbreviation of the term "Japanese Sandal".

He can't handle the jandal

by Te Tangata Nui April 27, 2006

118👍 33👎


bro

Used in New Zealand for years (esp. by Maoris) as slang for friend.
However, it is not limited to being used between close friends. Much as the Australians are are known to use the word mate, even if the person they are adressing is a stranger, so do New Zealanders with "bro".
It is often preceded with the word eh (a variation of "hey") especially when used in a question.

Eh bro! Where you been?

Look at my new car. Pretty choice eh bro?

C'mon bro! You comin to the game?
Nah bro. I've got to work

by Te Tangata Nui April 26, 2006

40👍 37👎


puku

Maori word for stomach/belly. Often used as an affectionate term for a chubby belly.
For a larger belly, the term would be "puku nui" (lit. big belly).
Pukunui was also a character in a series of cartoon books. He was (obviously) rather fat, and used to get around with his friend Moata Moa.

Look at that baby's cute puku

Geez, i'm getting quite a puku

He's a real pukunui!

by Te Tangata Nui April 27, 2006

172👍 44👎


moa

Pronounced "more" as opposed to "mower" it was a native, flightless New Zealand bird.
Now extinct (for a couple of hundred years), the 10 various species were eaten to extinction by the early Maori people.
To give an idea of the size of the moa, picture the smallest species being the size of a turkey, and the largest being the size of Big Bird from Sesame Street.
The Moa traditionally lived in the forest and Moa bones can still be found in caves and swamps throughout New Zealand.

Look at that drumstick! Must've come from a Moa!

by Te Tangata Nui April 27, 2006

45👍 39👎