How to refer to a person from New Zealand?

[Disaster Master]

Hi mates,

No doubt that it is my good fate which has led me [to] here finally.

Actually this is my first post in this dear and lovely forum, and being influenced by the topic “How can I refer to a person from UK” and the fervent discussion taking place there, I would ask about how to refer to someone from New Zealand, too.

Thanks in advance.

Re:
http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/ge...person-uk.html

[David L.]

Whilst we may all hazard suggestions such as 'he's a New Zealander' and even 'a kiwi', you are fortunate that we have an authority in the forum: stuartnz.

He's not here today so far; but the moment he sees your post, he'll zoom in on it faster than a Bondi tram.

So, we'll all give you our ideas while we wait for stuart.

[ladybird987]

New Zealander

[Disaster Master]

Factually, I thought of New Zealander, but I had to make sure, because, not everything that word processors accept is the right thing nor what they reject is the wrong one. However, I really never thought of kiwi.
Is it formal?
Does have any relation with that kind of fruit?!!!

Thank you David L. & ladybird987.

Really glad to be here.


Re:

Noun: New Zealandern(y)oo'zeelundu(r)
1. A native or inhabitant of New Zealand
- Kiwi, Enzed [Austral, NZ]
Adjective: New Zealandern(y)oo'zeelundu(r)
1. Of or relating to or characteristic of New Zealand or its people
"New Zealander sheep farms"
Derived forms: New Zealanders
See also: New Zealand
Type of: denizen, dweller, habitant, indweller, inhabitant
Part of: Enzed [Austral, NZ], New Zealand
Encyclopedia: New Zealander

WordWeb Online Lookup

[tedtmc]

Kia Ora!
People in NZ like to be called Kiwis, a name which is not really to do with the fruit but the nocturnal, wingless bird with the same name which is native to NZ.
Do you know that kiwifruit is not originally from NZ and was called 'Chinese gooseberry'?

[Disaster Master]

Originally Posted by tedtmc

Do you know that kiwifruit is not originally from NZ and was called 'Chinese gooseberry'?

Honestly, I don't.

However, good to find ourselves, in this thread, being driven away from politics towards nature.

BTW, can anyone suggest a better title for this thread!

Thanks tedtmc for your valued contribution.

[stuartnz]

Most NZers do not like hearing the fruit called "kiwi". We call it "kiwifruit", one word, and it is descended from the Chinese gooseberry, but is now a very different kettle of fish.

As for how to refer to someone from New Zealand, I would say "New Zealander" in formal use, but "Kiwi" is fine in an informal setting. Make sure to capitalise it, as "kiwi" with a small "k" refers to the bird. Also, in NZ English "kiwi" is still treated as a Maori word and NOT pluralised, so you might read that NZ has 4 million Kiwis but only around 78,000 kiwi. This usage is standard in formal NZ English, as can be seen here:
About The Bird:Threats

And that about wraps it up from this K1W1. Noho ora mai, ka kite ano!

[ladybird987]

Originally Posted by stuartnz

Noho ora mai, ka kite ano!

[stuartnz]

Originally Posted by ladybird987

Those phrases are now common in NZ English. my list of language links includes a link to an excellent Maori-English dictionary which will translate both those for you.

[Disaster Master]

Originally Posted by stuartnz

As for how to refer to someone from New Zealand, I would say "New Zealander" in formal use, but "Kiwi" is fine in an informal setting.

Thank you so much stuartnz.

David L. was not wrong, you are the man of this thread.

By the way, can 'Kiwi' be used as a noun and as an adjective as in the following...

I saw a Kiwi.
I saw three Kiwi tourists.

Thanks.