Kiwi and Te Reo Māori Words Get Official Recognition in Dictionary Sweet as!
NZ Words Now Dictionary-Official New Zealand has achieved another cultural milestone with the Oxford English Dictionary officially recognizing 11 distinctly Kiwi terms in its latest World English update. The prestigious dictionary has embraced everything from our beloved “sweet as” to the traditional te reo Māori greeting “mōrena,” marking a significant moment for New Zealand’s linguistic heritage.The announcement came as part of the OED’s September 2025 quarterly update, which celebrates English as it’s spoken around the world. Oxford University Press described the additions as “a significant stride in tracking the growth of English vocabulary worldwide”.
What Made the Cut The comprehensive list showcases New Zealand’s unique cultural blend, featuring both colloquial Kiwi expressions and te reo Māori terms that have become part of everyday New Zealand English:Sweet as (adjective) – Our classic expression of approval, officially defined as excellent, fantastic, or great, first recorded in 1985 Cuzzy bro (noun) – The friendly term for family member or close mate, dating back to 1991 Rark up (noun/verb) – To provoke or annoy someone, or the resulting argument, showing Kiwis’ colorful way of describing conflict Mōrena (interjection) – The morning greeting borrowed from te reo Māori, first appearing in written English in 1969Hapū (adjective) – The te reo term meaning pregnant, recorded since 1948 The list also includes practical Kiwi terms like “trundler” (shopping trolley), “lux” (to vacuum, from Electrolux), “lifestyler” (someone with a lifestyle block), and phrases like “climb into someone” and “deal to someone” – both relating to verbal or physical confrontation.Growing Recognition of Te Reo Māori Oxford English Dictionary World English Editor Danica Salazar emphasized how these additions reflect the profound impact of te reo Māori on New Zealand English. “We really saw in our research how these words initially started out being used among Māori people, but increasingly these borrowings have become a feature of New Zealand English as a whole,” Salazar explained.This recognition represents more than linguistic documentation – it acknowledges how te reo Māori has naturally woven itself into the fabric of New Zealand’s everyday communication, used by all Kiwis regardless of their cultural background.
Building on Previous Success. This latest update continues the OED’s commitment to capturing New Zealand’s evolving language. In 2024, the dictionary added “waka jumper” (an MP who switches parties), while 2023 saw a major “Kiwi update” featuring 47 New Zealand terms including “chur,” “flat stick,” “whenua,” “rohe,” and “iwi” .The systematic inclusion of New Zealand English demonstrates how our unique linguistic identity – shaped by Māori culture, geographic isolation, and distinctive social expressions – has gained international recognition as a legitimate variety of English. For New Zealanders, seeing terms like “sweet as” and “mōrena” achieve dictionary status represents validation of our cultural identity on the world stage. These aren’t just words – they’re expressions of who we are as a nation, now officially recognized by the world’s most authoritative English dictionary.
As Salazar noted, the creation of new words and evolving meanings signals a healthy, living language. New Zealand’s contribution to this global linguistic tapestry shows that our small nation continues to punch above its weight in shaping how English is spoken and understood worldwide.
