Hori
Describes something scruffy, rough or done cheap-and-nasty. Use with care: it has a loaded history as an ethnic slur, so it's an in-group word.
"We did a hori fix on the fence with number 8 wire."
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Hot chips
French fries — usually thick-cut, from the fish'n'chip shop, eaten off paper.
"Two scoops of hot chips and a hot dog, cheers."
Hui
A meeting or gathering. Used across NZ workplaces and communities now, not just Maori contexts.
"Team hui at nine."
Hungus
Someone who eats everything in sight, or takes more than their share. Also 'I'm hungus' = starving.
"Save some chips, you hungus!"
Huss
Depends where you are: tacky/hussy-ish in some regions, or (Christchurch) hooning around in a car. 'Huss it!'
"We hussed it round the block in the WRX."
Jafa
An Aucklander, as described by everyone else in NZ. Acronym: Just Another Friendly Aucklander (the polite version).
"The jafas are all up here for the long weekend."
Jaffa
A chocolate ball in a hard orange shell - and the annual Dunedin race where thousands roll down Baldwin St.
"Passed the jaffas round at the movies."
Jandals
Flip flops. Etymology: 'Japanese sandals'. Wearing them year-round is a personality trait.
"Chucked my jandals on and headed to the beach."
Jug
A pitcher of beer to share around the table. 'Whose shout for the jug?'
"Get a jug in for the boys."
Jumper
A jersey, sweater or sweatshirt. Mum's eternal advice: take a jumper.
"Take a jumper, it'll get cold later."
Ka kite
See you later, from te reo - often 'ka kite ano'. Signed off many a NZ weather report.
"Right, ka kite bro."
Ka mau te wehi
An expression of awe - 'awesome', 'amazing'. High te reo praise.
"Ka mau te wehi, what a performance!"
Ka pai
Good, well done - a gentle te reo affirmation, common in classrooms.
"Ka pai, team, great effort."
Kai
Food. From te reo Maori, used by everyone.
"Come round for some kai."
Kai time
Meal time. 'Righto, kai time.'
"Down tools, kai time."
Kao
No, from te reo. The counterpart to 'ae'.
"Any left?" "Kao, all gone."
Kaupapa
A purpose, plan, or set of principles - now common in NZ workplaces and community groups.
"What's the kaupapa for the meeting?"
Keen
Eager, interested, up for it. 'Keen as' is full enthusiasm; 'keen?' is a complete invitation.
"Fish'n'chips tonight — keen?"
Keen as a bean
Very enthusiastic - rhyming embellishment of 'keen as'.
"Keen as a bean for the road trip."
Kia kaha
Maori for 'stay strong'. Said in hard times, grief, and national moments — from disasters to All Blacks losses.
"Kia kaha, we're all thinking of you."