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New Zealand · Phrasebook

New Zealand — Phrasebook for Adult Engagements

Essential phrases for navigating New Zealand: greetings, pricing, safety, and exit vocabulary. New Zealand primarily speaks English, Maori.

Currency

New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

Emergency

111 (universal)

Languages

English, Maori

Core Phrases

English Local Pronunciation
Hello Kia ora KEE-ah OR-ah
Thank you Ngā mihi NGAH MEE-hee
How much? E hia te utu? eh HEE-ah teh OO-too
Too expensive He nui rawa te utu heh NOO-ee RAH-wah teh OO-too
No, please stop Kāo, kāti koa KAH-oh, KAH-tee KOH-ah
Yes / OK Āe AH-eh
Where is...? Kei hea...? kay HEH-ah
Beer please He pia koa heh PEE-ah KOH-ah
Water please He wai koa heh WAI KOH-ah
Excuse me Aroha mai ah-ROH-hah MY

Adult-Engagement Phrases (Translate Locally)

These phrases need to be translated in your destination — most providers and translation apps handle them fine. Showing what you want communicated, not the local form.

  • "How much for one hour?"

    Negotiate full duration up front; "one hour" is the universal unit.

  • "I want to use a condom."

    Non-negotiable; if pushed back, walk.

  • "Can I see your ID?"

    Standard provider screening. The floor is 18.

  • "Where is the bathroom?"

    Useful at every venue.

  • "Is the price all-inclusive?"

    Stops surprise extras-charges.

  • "I want to leave now."

    Non-confrontational exit phrase.

  • "Please call me a taxi."

    Many providers will use their preferred local app/firm.

  • "Thank you, that was nice."

    Universal exit; tipping is bonus, not expected everywhere.

Pricing Tip

Always confirm price in New Zealand Dollar (NZD) directly, not USD/EUR equivalent. Tourist-rate providers will quote in your currency and pocket the conversion margin. Standard 1-hour pricing in New Zealand: NZD 280–500 for the typical band.

Related

Last verified April 2026. Phrases curated to match real local usage; pronunciation hints written in English-speaker phonetics. For full-language travel basics, the Tatoeba corpus (CC-BY) is a free open-source resource.