There are some slang terms for girls in New Zealand, such as “hottie” or “babe” for an attractive girl. More general terms which skirt the borders of being true slang are things like “wahine,” an old Maori term used for women and still used to some extent today. Kō is another Maori word used for girl.
What exactly constitutes a “slang” term in this regard is a bit of a matter for debate.
Many old Maori words have made their way into the vocabularies of English speaking New Zealanders, and aren’t necessarily always understood to be a loan word as much as just a slang word even by those that use them.
Other than these, slang terms for “girl” tend to be somewhat context specific.
Let’s find out more.
New Zealand Slang For Girl
Babe
“Babe” is a common slang term in New Zealand used for referring to someone you’re romantically involved with or simply as a term of endearment.
It’s most often used for an attractive person, especially in a casual, affectionate way.
While the term is widely used in many English-speaking countries, it has become deeply ingrained in Kiwi culture through movies, TV, and casual everyday speech.
This term is versatile and can be used in a variety of contexts, from a relationship setting to casual flirting.
It’s an easy-going term that expresses affection or admiration, often heard between partners or close friends.
Examples in sentences:
- “Hey babe, what are you up to tonight?”
- “She’s looking really cute today, babe.”
- “I can’t wait to see you later, babe!”
- “That’s a great outfit, babe.”
- “Babe, do you want to grab a coffee?”
Bird
“Bird” is a slang term in New Zealand that refers to a girl or woman.
It’s often used in an informal, sometimes playful manner, and can be used in both affectionate or casual contexts.
Although it’s not as commonly used in other English-speaking countries today, it still carries some popularity in New Zealand, especially in older generations.
While the term is usually lighthearted, it can sometimes be seen as outdated or even a little cheeky.
Despite this, it remains part of New Zealand’s quirky, informal language when referring to women or girls in a relaxed manner.
Examples in sentences:
- “He was chatting to a bird at the bar last night.”
- “That bird has a great sense of humour.”
- “I met a lovely bird at the party yesterday.”
- “Don’t be rude, that’s a good bird you’re talking about!”
- “Oi, mate, stop calling her a bird, it’s a bit old-fashioned.”
Chick
“Chick” is a term used in New Zealand to refer to a girl or young woman.
It is used in a relaxed, informal context and can carry a sense of affection or casualness.
Although the term is widely known in English-speaking countries, in New Zealand, it retains a particular charm and can be used both to describe someone in a friendly or teasing way.
Despite its popularity in past decades, the term may be considered outdated or disrespectful by some, depending on context and tone.
Nevertheless, it remains part of New Zealand’s casual, colloquial slang.
Examples in sentences:
- “He’s going out with that chick from his class.”
- “She’s a cool chick, always up for an adventure.”
- “Oi, check out that chick over there!”
- “Don’t call her a chick, mate, that’s a bit old-fashioned.”
- “I was just talking to that chick from the café, she’s really nice.”
Gal
“Gal” is a laid-back, informal term used in New Zealand to refer to a girl or woman.
It carries a light, friendly tone and is often used among friends or in casual conversations.
While it’s not as commonly used as “girl” or “woman,” it still holds a place in everyday Kiwi slang and can often be heard in rural or working-class contexts.
The term is fairly neutral, though some may find it a bit old-fashioned.
However, it still has a nostalgic charm and is sometimes used affectionately in specific regions of New Zealand.
Examples in sentences:
- “That gal can really sing—she’s got a great voice!”
- “She’s a good gal, always helping out when needed.”
- “I saw that gal at the café earlier, she was with her mates.”
- “Hey, how’s your gal doing? Still working at the shop?”
- “That gal from the store has the best style.”
Hottie
“Hottie” is a widely recognized term used in New Zealand to refer to someone who is considered very attractive, particularly a girl.
It’s a casual, somewhat playful way to compliment someone’s looks, often used by young people.
While the term originates from the broader English-speaking world, it has gained its own Kiwi twist, being used commonly across all age groups in New Zealand.
The term is not exclusive to New Zealand but has become part of everyday language, especially in informal settings.
“Hottie” is often used in a light-hearted manner and is considered less formal than other compliments like “beautiful” or “stunning.”
Examples in sentences:
- “Did you see that hottie at the party last night?”
- “She’s a total hottie, no doubt about it.”
- “He’s got the looks—he’s definitely a hottie!”
- “There was a hottie at the café this morning, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.”
- “Stop staring at that hottie, it’s getting awkward!”
Kō
“Kō” is a term borrowed from the Maori language, meaning “girl.”
While it’s not as widely used as some other slang terms, it has found a place in informal New Zealand English, especially among Maori speakers.
The word is often used to refer to a young girl, but it can also be used more broadly to describe women of all ages in certain contexts, often as a term of endearment.
Though not as commonly used as other slang terms for girls, “Kō” is still an important part of New Zealand’s cultural and linguistic heritage.
It reflects the blending of indigenous Māori language with modern New Zealand English, and it is a reminder of the country’s rich, diverse linguistic history.
Examples in sentences:
- “She’s just a little kō, but she’s already so clever!”
- “That kō was so excited to see her friends after school.”
- “I’m proud of my kō for helping out around the house.”
- “The kō at the party were all dancing to the music.”
- “Kō, you’re a real star in the making!”
Lass
“Lass” is a term used in New Zealand to refer to a girl or young woman, and it’s often used in a friendly, familiar context.
While it may not be as commonly used as other slang terms, it still has a place in New Zealand English, particularly among older generations or in rural areas.
It’s a bit of a throwback to older English dialects, and you might hear it in the context of someone being affectionate towards a girl or woman.
Despite not being the most modern term, “lass” still holds a certain charm and is occasionally used in a lighthearted or caring way.
It’s less formal than saying “girl,” but it’s not as casual as some other terms either, making it a unique part of New Zealand’s linguistic landscape.
Examples in sentences:
- “That lass is always so helpful around here.”
- “She’s a clever lass, isn’t she?”
- “The lass at the front desk was so friendly.”
- “I’ll meet you at the pub later, lass.”
- “The young lass was the star of the show!”
Missy
“Missy” is a lighthearted and informal term used in New Zealand to refer to a girl or young woman.
It’s often used in a playful or affectionate manner, typically by someone who is familiar with the person they are talking to.
It may carry a slightly teasing tone, but it’s usually not meant to be taken seriously or offensively.
The term “missy” is commonly used by older generations when addressing younger girls, but it can be used more broadly.
It’s not as common as some other slang terms, but it still holds a place in everyday language when spoken in an endearing or familiar way.
Examples in sentences:
- “You’re looking lovely today, Missy!”
- “Come on, Missy, let’s go to the park.”
- “Don’t be a cheeky missy now!”
- “The missy next door is always so helpful.”
- “She’s such a clever missy, always asking the right questions.”
Wahine
“Wahine” is a Maori word that originally referred to a Polynesian woman or wife.
Over time, it has been adopted into New Zealand English as a slang term for a woman or girl.
It is most commonly associated with the surfing culture, where it’s used to refer to female surfers, but it can also be used in general to describe a woman.
The term carries a deep cultural significance due to its Maori roots and is widely used in New Zealand, particularly in more informal or familiar contexts. It’s important to note that while “wahine” is slang in English-speaking contexts, it holds traditional meaning in Maori language and culture.
Examples in sentences:
- “She’s an amazing wahine, always catching the best waves.”
- “The wahine of the group are all so strong and supportive.”
- “He was telling stories about his wahine and their adventures.”
- “Wahine power—showing off those surfing skills!”
- “She’s a wahine who knows how to handle herself.”
Wifey
“Wifey” is an informal and affectionate term that many people use to refer to their girlfriend, partner, or someone they’re romantically involved with, with an implication that they could one day become their wife.
It is commonly used by both men and women in New Zealand to describe a woman in a loving or playful way.
The term is often used in a fun, casual context, and is usually associated with young couples or those in long-term relationships.
“Wifey” can also be used when talking about a woman’s qualities that make her a great partner or someone a person would want to marry.
Examples in sentences:
- “I’m taking my wifey out for dinner tonight, she’s been working hard.”
- “She’s got all the qualities of a perfect wifey.”
- “He’s always talking about how lucky he is to have such a great wifey.”
- “I’m planning on proposing to my wifey next month.”
- “Wifey is making dinner tonight, can’t wait to eat!”
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@PollyWebster
Polly Webster is the founder of Foreign Lingo and a seasoned traveler with a decade of exploration under her belt.
Over the past 10 years, she has journeyed to numerous countries around the globe, immersing herself in diverse cultures, traditions, and languages.
Drawing from her rich experiences, Polly now writes insightful articles about travel, languages, traditions, and cultures, sharing her unique perspectives and invaluable tips with her readers.
We commonly refer to women as chicks in NZ. It can reference any woman (less likely for the elderly but some use it more specifically, e.g., ‘this old chick did xyz’) but isn’t used for girls. Some people also use it as a direct pronoun, like, ‘hey chick, what’s up?’. And yes, we do also commonly refer to women as ‘girls’ up to a certain, undefinable age!