English and the official languages of New Zealand

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Māori and New Zealand Sign Language are the official languages of New Zealand

Nevertheless, English is the most widely spoken language in the country, with over 95% of the population using it in their everyday lives, compared with Māori (4.1%) and New Zealand Sign Language (0.5%).

The Māori Language

Māori became an official language in 1987. New Zealand is the only country in the world where Māori is spoken. Despite its official status, the language continues to struggle against being lost.

In the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, Queen Victoria gave her word to the Māori that their language would be protected. however, it was only in recent years that the Māori language gathered its widespread support. Currently, the Māori language is used in the media and in schools.

In the 1940s when Māori people moved out of rural areas and into the cities the Māori language began to decline and children were raised in English rather than Māori.

By the 1970s, the Māori language was close to extinction and therefore an effort was made to include the native language into the media and school curriculums.

A recent survey by the New Zealand government shows about 130,000 people speak some Māori in New Zealand.

In early 2006 New Zealand became the first country to declare sign language as an official language.

Kiwi Slang

The New Zealand accent can be difficult to understand, even for speakers of the English language.

Here are just a few samples of specific words used in daily life in New Zealand:

Barbie - Barbecue

Bro - Friend, Brother

Bush - Forest of native trees and plants

Down Under - Australia, New Zealand

Footy - Rugby

Gidday - Hello, Good day

Good as Gold - Great

Heaps - A lot

How's it going mate? - Greeting, how are you?

Jumper - Sweatshirt

Knackered - Exhausted

Mozzie - Mosquito

No Sweat - No problem

OE - Overseas experience, long term holiday

Op Shop - Second-hand shop

Pouring down - Heavy rain

Ripped off - Paid too much

Sweet As - Very good

Ta - Thanks

Tea - Dinner, evening meal

Togs - Swimwear

Māori words that are often used in daily life in New Zealand:

Whanau- Family

Kumara - Sweet Potato

Haere Mai - Come here