Settlement Support New Plymouth

Useful Resources

The Settlement Support Co-ordinator carries a wide range of hard copy information about living,
working and studying in Taranaki. Please contact Settlement Support New Plymouth Office.
Office at Level 1, kings building, 36 Devon Street West, New Plymouth.
Telephone 06-7591088 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

You can download the Welcome Guide to New Plymouth PDF Document HERE

Living in NZ

Te Ao o te Māori- Māori culture

Maori are the tribal people indigenous to Aotearoa (New Zealand) and make up about 16 percent of the total population of New Zealand. Māori culture and the Treaty of Waitangi-an agreement between Māori and the Crown-are important in New Zealand society. Many Māori words are part of everyday Kiwi language. There are many tribes and sub tribes in the Taranaki region, each with their own long and rich history. Māori culture is an integral part of our community and is celebrated in New Plymouth District.
Diversity is celebrated in New Plymouth District. It is a safe, welcoming and community –oriented place to live.

The Māori language (te reo) and meeting house (marae) are core elements that hold Māori culture together and the language is used throughout Taranaki.

Tikanga (protocol or way of doing things) is an important part of Māori culture. The marae experience involves protocol, a set way of doing things that differs depending on the location of the marae.Learning Te reo [Māori language] is a good way to gain an understanding of Māori culture.

Common Maori words used in New Zealand, Click Here (pdf)

Below are some colloquial terms used in New Zealand that would be useful to learn for
everyday conversation and making enquiries over the telephone or in person.

Slang: Bring a plate		Meaning: Used very commonly in an invitation “ladies bring a plate”. It means you take a plate of food appropriate to the function you are invited to so that it can be shared
Bumper (of the car)		fender
Boot (of the car)		Trunk
Bush		Small forest
BYO		“bring your own” such as provide your own alcohol at a restaurant or function
Chemist		Pharmacy
Cheers		Goodbye or thanks or good luck
Chips		French fries or potato crisps
Charge an arm and a leg		Expensive price or cost for a purchase or a service
Chilly bin		Insulated container for keeping food and drinks cold
DIY		"Do it yourself" - repairs, small building alterations & landscaping jobs
Box of birds		Feeling fine, fit and healthy
Blow me down		Expression of surprise
Blow that for a joke		That’s not funny
Cack-handed		Left handed
Choice		Very good
Flat tack		Going very fast
Dairy		Corner store selling a wide range of items
Hokey pokey		A flavour of ice cream
Kick the bucket		Die [as in dead]
Electric jug		Kettle
Pakeha		Non Maori person
Pikelet		Small pancake
Jandal		Thongs, flip flops
He or she doesn’t know whether they are Arthur or Martha		To be confused
Lay-by		Arrangement with a retailer where they will put the article aside for you and you pay it off slowly (usually within 3 months)
Loo		Bathroom, toilet
Pot luck dinner		A social event where everyone brings a different dish of food to share
Raining cats and dogs		To be raining heavily
Ring someone		Telephone someone
Rattle your dags		Hurry up
She’ll be righ		It will be okay
Cash-strapped		Short of money
Sunday driver		Driving slowly
Got it sussed		Figured it out
Tea		General term for evening meal
Tiki tour		A roundabout way of getting somewhere; scenic tour
Yonks		A very long time
Wop wops		Out of the way location
Whinge		complain

Settlement Support - a free information and referral service available to all newcomers

Settlement Support New Zealand, New Plymouth will help you access the information and services you will need to live, work and study in Taranaki.
For more information about living, working and studying in Taranaki, please email or phone the Settlement Support Co-ordinator.

Main Menu