Kiwi as

Throughout my time here in NZ, I've come across a few things that are undeniably Kiwi. So kiwi, that I just can't help thinking, or even saying, "that is Kiwi as."

The music video for Wandering Eye by Fat Freddy's Drop. It features the band working in a fish and chips shop. Fish and chips may be an English tradition, but the people of NZ have whole heartedly embraced this delicious meal.

On the subject of food, there's also Pavlova. It may be named after a Russian Ballerina, but I can assure you, it is Kiwi as. No dessert spread is complete without Pavlova. Meringue-y, whipped creamy deliciousness topped with fruit (usually kiwifruit and strawberries), this is the dish no one can avoid in New Zealand!

Well, since I love food so much we'll just keep going (hope y'all aren't hungry). So, pineapple lumps and L&P (Lemon and Peroa). While I have had pineapple lumps, I have yet to try L&P. I've been told by a Kiwi girl that "eating pineapple lumps and drinking L&P is Kiwi as. You have to do it before you leave!" Oh, I will do this, don't any of y'all worry. Gotta be kiwi as while I'm in NZ, right?!


Pineapple on pizza. And not just on Hawaiian pizza, but virtually any pizza. I don't really understand it to be honest. I mean I love pizza, and I love pineapple, and I enjoy a good Hawaiian pizza every now and then, but pineapple on all my pizzas? Too much for me, but Kiwi as!

Raspberry cola. Raspberry cordial with cola basically. It's real popular here. Which seems random to me, but hey, it's good!


Well I've kind of switched to drinks now...but let's just keep on!

Cider. It's like sparkling grape juice, but better! "That's not possible!" you may say. But let me tell you, it is. How? It's alcoholic. Side note, I swear I'm not an alcoholic, I'm just in New Zealand! Anyways, it's the perfect drink for a day at the beach, hanging with friends on those warm summer nights, or anytime you're in New Zealand!

Speights, Macs, SoGo and Monteiths. These are the kiwi versions of Miller, Coors, Busch, and PBR. But possibly better...



Being called a bro when you are most definitely not a bro. But it's cool. Like I and many other Americans say "dude," saying "bro" is the kiwi version of that.

Going to the beach on christmas (or anytime in December, January and February). It's warm, so why not?! Granted, this may not be not be solely a kiwi thing so much as a southern hemisphere/equatorial region tradition, but in NZ, you can't have Christmas without the sun, and the best place for sun is at the beach of course! Which is where I plan on going tomorrow!

Having an honest conversation with a boy about his rattail. As I've mentioned before, rattails are HUGE here. Every self-respecting bro seems to have one. I however, think they are gross. But anyways, they're Kiwi as, and I finally managed to ask a Kiwi boy with one why on earth he thought it was a good idea. He actually had a good reason, but couldn't answer for the rest of his bros. It may not have been a conclusive conversation, but it strikes me as the type of conversation I would only ever have in New Zealand.

Public Service Announcements. I don't know why, but they're all over the place here. There's the classic "Don't drink and Fry" encouraging drunks to go to a restaurant or fast food joint instead of trying to cook at home. The slightly disturbing "Is your child setting fires? We can help." The scare the *%^& out of you "drink" (aka drunk) driving and "don't drive distracted" ones. And many, many more, that often seem more bewildering than helpful. Buy maybe that's just because I'm not from here?

Then of course, there are the phrases. "Whatya reckon?" "Good on ya!" "Chur." "Ta." "Cheers." Any word (it seems) followed by as. I'm not gonna lie, I don't entirely understand all the phrases, and generally feel quite silly whenever I try to use them. But sometimes I like to think I pull them off quite nicely!


Saying zed not zee. As in when you see the letter "Z." I actually like saying it the Kiwi way better!


Sunburn. You don't understand the concept of getting a sunburn until you've done it in New Zealand. That hole in the ozone layer can really do a number!

Kiwifruit. Kiwi bird. Kiwis. When you say "Kiwi," it means the person or as relating to New Zealand culture. So if you say "I want to eat a Kiwi," you're probably a cannibal. What I'm trying to say is, you need to say Kiwifruit, unless of course you really are a cannibal... And I haven't quite figured out how to refer to the bird...I think people maybe just pick up on it depending on the context? Or I've been saying it wrong and I really should be saying Kiwi Bird...woops!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!