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Choice! The Kiwi Slang Word That Means Everything's Mint

By The Sweet As Crew · 2026-06-02 — Sweet As Tees Blog

Choice is one of New Zealand's most useful — and most uniquely Kiwi — words. Here's what it means, where it came from, and how to use it without sounding like a tourist.

"Choice!" It's one word. One syllable. Infinite applications. If you've spent any time in New Zealand or around New Zealanders, you've heard it — and if you're not from here, it probably took you a while to figure out what it meant.

Welcome to one of New Zealand's most useful slang words. Here's the complete guide to choice in NZ slang.

What Does "Choice" Mean in New Zealand Slang?

In New Zealand, choice (as an exclamation or adjective) means excellent, great, perfect, or fantastic. It's a positive response. An affirmation. A signal that something is very good.

Examples:

• "I just found a primo park right out front." — "Choice!"
• "We're going fishing on Saturday." — "Choice, I'll bring the chilly bin."
• "That meal was absolutely choice, bro."
• "Choice as!" — meaning extremely good (the "as" suffix intensifies any adjective in NZ English)

It's important to note that in this context, choice is not used the way it is in standard English (as in "the choice between two things"). In NZ slang it operates as an adjective or exclamation meaning excellent.

Where Did "Choice" Come From?

The use of choice as a general term of approval emerged in New Zealand in the mid-20th century. Its exact origin is debated, but it likely evolved from the standard English meaning of "of very high quality" — as in "a choice piece of steak" — into a more generalised slang positive.

New Zealand's particular pattern of taking standard English words and repurposing them as general approval words (also visible in "mint," "mean," "golden") is part of what makes New Zealand English so distinctive.

Choice vs. Mean vs. Sweet As — Understanding the Spectrum

New Zealand English has an impressive vocabulary of positive affirmations, and it's worth understanding how they differ:

• Choice — Good, great, excellent. Often used as a quick one-word response.
• Sweet as — Great, perfect, no problem. More versatile than choice; can signal contentment with a situation, not just assessment of quality.
• Mean as — Very impressive, excellent (especially for something that required skill or effort). A rugby tackle can be "mean as." A meal is less likely to be "mean as" unless it's extraordinary.
• Mint — Fresh, excellent. Has a slightly newer, more youth-oriented feel.
• Hard out — Maximum agreement or intensity. Not usually used for things — more for actions and experiences.

These are all distinct, and using them correctly is how you know someone genuinely knows New Zealand. See the full guide at our NZ Slang Dictionary.

How to Use "Choice" Without Sounding Like a Tourist

The key to using choice authentically is not to overdo it. New Zealanders don't say "choice" in response to everything — they use it naturally, in the right context, without self-consciousness. Using it for every response, or with exaggerated enthusiasm, marks you as someone performing Kiwi rather than being Kiwi.

Context where "choice" works naturally:

• Quick positive response to good news: "Choice."
• Approving assessment of something done well: "That's a choice effort, mate."
• As part of the enthusiastic compound: "Choice as!" when something is particularly excellent.

Context where it feels forced: Using it for every single positive thing, or in formal/professional contexts.

Other "Choice" Kiwi Slang to Know

Once you're using choice naturally, here are the related words to add to your arsenal:

• Chur — Thank you/cheers. Like choice, it's concise and widely applicable.
• Sweet as — The most all-purpose positive in the NZ lexicon.
• Mint — Excellent.
• Stoked — Excited and happy.
• Ka pai — Māori for "good" or "well done" — widely used across NZ.

The full 50+ word dictionary lives at our NZ Slang Guide. It's choice. Obviously.

Wear the Slang 🥝

Kiwi slang is part of the culture we carry everywhere — home or abroad. Browse the Sweet As Tees range and find the phrase that fits your brand of Kiwi.

FAQ — "Choice" NZ Slang

What does "choice" mean in New Zealand? In New Zealand slang, "choice" means excellent, great, or fantastic. It's used as an exclamation ("Choice!") or as an adjective ("That was a choice game"). It doesn't have the "choosing between options" meaning in this context. Is "choice" still used in NZ? Yes, actively. While newer words like "mint" and "mean as" are also popular, "choice" is used by Kiwis across generations and is a well-established part of NZ English vocabulary. What is the difference between "choice" and "sweet as" in NZ slang? "Choice" is primarily an exclamation of approval for something specific ("That trick was choice!"). "Sweet as" is broader — it can mean approval, contentment, or "no worries" in a wider range of contexts. Both are distinctly Kiwi. Where can I learn more NZ slang? Our NZ Slang Dictionary covers 50+ words and phrases with definitions and context. It's the most comprehensive free guide online.

🥝 Wear It Proud

Choice! Celebrate the lingo with our Classic Sweet As tee or the Yeah Nah tee — proper Kiwi designs, no tourist trap. Browse the range →

Tags: NZ slang, choice, Kiwi slang words, New Zealand language

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