English-speaking Countries – The Kiwi Bird – A National Symbol
Table of Contents
Introduction
In New Zealand, the word “Kiwi” holds a unique place. It refers both to the iconic flightless bird native to the country and to the people of New Zealand themselves. The term is widely used internationally and is a source of national pride for New Zealanders.
Kiwi as a Nickname for New Zealanders
“Kiwi” is a widely accepted and affectionate nickname for people from New Zealand. It is commonly used both by New Zealanders themselves and by people around the world. The use of the term is not considered offensive—in fact, it reflects a strong sense of identity and belonging.
The Kiwi Bird – A National Symbol
The kiwi is a nocturnal, flightless bird that is native to New Zealand. It is unique in many ways:
- It has hair-like feathers
- It lays one of the largest eggs in relation to body size
- It uses its long beak with nostrils at the tip to forage at night
The bird has become a national symbol and an important part of New Zealand’s natural heritage and cultural identity.
History of the Term “Kiwi” for People
The nickname “Kiwi” for New Zealanders first became popular among New Zealand soldiers during World War I. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first known use of the term in this way was in 1918.
Later:
- In 1938, the New Zealand Rugby League team used the name “Kiwis” on their tour of Australia.
- After World War II, the nickname spread beyond the military and became commonly used to refer to all New Zealanders.
Today, “Kiwi” is proudly used by New Zealanders to describe themselves, especially in international contexts.
Spelling and Usage
The spelling of “kiwi” changes depending on whether it refers to the bird or the people:
| Use | Spelling | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| The bird | kiwi | kiwi (no ‘s’) – e.g., “two kiwi” |
| The people | Kiwi (capitalized) | Kiwis – e.g., “two Kiwis” |
📝 Note: “Kiwi” comes from the Māori language, and Māori words typically do not take an ‘s’ in the plural.
Key Vocabulary
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname | An informal or humorous name for someone or something | “Kiwi” is a popular nickname for New Zealanders. |
| Flightless | Unable to fly | The kiwi is a flightless bird native to New Zealand. |
| Symbol | A thing that represents something else | The kiwi is a national symbol of New Zealand. |
| Self-reference | Referring to oneself or one’s own group | New Zealanders often use “Kiwi” as a self-reference. |
| Demographic | Related to the population and its characteristics | “Kiwi” is a demographic label that many accept proudly. |
| Affectionate | Showing love or fondness | “Kiwi” is an affectionate term for New Zealanders. |
| Heritage | Cultural traditions passed through generations | The kiwi bird is part of New Zealand’s natural heritage. |
| Nocturnal | Active at night | Kiwi birds are nocturnal and hunt after dark. |
| Pride | A feeling of satisfaction in achievements or identity | Kiwis feel pride in their culture and history. |
| Capitalized | Written with a capital letter | “Kiwi” is capitalized when referring to people. |
More about the topic on Wikipedia.
Quiz: Test Your Knowledge
Answer with True or False:
- The word “Kiwi” is considered offensive when referring to people from New Zealand. (…)
- The kiwi bird can fly short distances. (…)
- The first known use of “Kiwi” to describe a person was in the 1800s. (…)
- The New Zealand Rugby League team used “Kiwis” as their name in 1938. (…)
- Kiwi birds are active mostly during the night. (…)
- When referring to the bird, the word “kiwi” is capitalized and pluralized with an “s.” (…)
- “Kiwis” is the correct plural form when talking about New Zealanders. (…)
2 → False
3 → False (It was in 1918)
4 → True
5 → True
6 → False
7 → True
