Thursday, June 25, 2015

Translate This!

View of the Southern Alps when we arrived at Christchurch Airport

Kia Ora, You might consider us like oldies, but we are going to kick off our jandals, throw on our jumpers, grab our not-so-much-anymore anklebiters, and show you a really great time (as we would our cuz)  through the wop-wops of Aotearoa.  We’ll even et you use our loo and serve you up some pav and a cuppa when you arrive.  Sweet As!  Study up on a wee bit of Kiwi slang, safe travels, and see ya soon mates! – m&m&j&t : )

Anklebiter - toddler, small child

Aotearoa - Maori name for New Zealand meaning land of the long white cloud

Chips - deep fried slices of potato but much thicker than a French fry

Cuppa - cup of tea, as in cuppa tea
(Tea Time!  Wa-hoo!)
Cuz - cousin, family

G'day - universal kiwi greeting, also spelled gidday

Good on ya, mate! - congratulations, well done, proud of someone

Good as gold - feeling good, not a problem, yes
 

Jandal - thongs, sandals,flip-flops
Jumper - sweater, jersey

Kia Ora – Maori general informal greeting of hello
L&P - Fizzy soda water

Lift - elevator

Lolly - candy

Loo - bathroom, toilet

Mate - friend
Oldies - parents

Pav - pavlova, dessert usually topped with kiwifruit and cream

Rattle your dags - hurry up, get moving
Ring - to telephone somebody, as in "I'll give you a ring"

Rubbish - garbage, trash

Serviette - paper napkin

Sweet As – what you are saying is good by me

Ta - thanks

Take-aways - food to be taken away and eaten, fast food outlet
 
Togs - swimsuit, bathing costume 

Wop-wops – situated off the beaten track, out of the way location

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Poi-E, A Kiwi Classic

In New Zealand, the Maori culture is deeply integrated within the Kiwi culture.  Throughout New Zealand, you will find both English and Maori signs, and even the government run television here has a dedicated station just for Maori programming.  While there have been struggles between the Pakeha (non-Maori) and Maori (just as in the United States between whites and other ethnic groups such as Native Americans, and African Americans), and the Maori struggle to help their youth retain their culture, the Kiwis seem to have done a decent job of trying to be inclusive and promote the Maori culture throughout the country.  Poi-E is a classic Kiwi song that became a hit in the early 1980s. What is significant about this song, is that it is viewed as part of what helped kick start renewed interest for the Maori youth in their roots. Poi balls were originally used by men and women alike to strengthen wrist muscles for battle.  Today they are used by girls and women in traditional Maori performance dances.  I can show you how to make some if you like.

-Meryl

Before


Hi kiwisforthesummer2015! We are getting ready to head over to New Zealand next week to get everything set up for your arrival.  We know you are getting as excited as we are!  Thought you would like this "before" picture to remind you of our time together in the warm Florida sun in April. : )  Hugs, Meryl