What are some Kiwi cultural things I should know before moving to NZ?

Best answer

Kiwis are informal — everyone goes by first name, even your boss. "Yeah nah" means no, "nah yeah" means yes. BBQ culture is huge in summer. Rugby is the national sport. Jandals (flip flops), chilly bins (cooler boxes), and "sweet as" (great/fine) are everyday vocab. Tipping is NOT expected. BYO (bring your own wine) restaurants are common. Take your shoes off when entering someone's home. Tall poppy syndrome is real — don't brag. Māori culture is central — learn basic te reo: kia ora (hello), whānau (family), aroha (love).

ProudKiwi · 22 Jan 2024