What does "choice" mean in NZ slang?

"Choice" means great, excellent, approved — a one-word Kiwi exclamation of praise. "Choice as" turns it up further.

Where does "choice" come from?

From the older English sense of "choice goods" — the premium, hand-picked selection. NZ turned it into a standalone exclamation around the 1980s and 90s.

Is "choice" the same as "sweet as"?

Very similar — both express approval. "Sweet as" leans toward "no problem / all good" as a response, while "choice" is more direct praise for a thing or news.

Sweet As Tees › NZ Slang › Choice

Choice — Meaning in NZ Slang

Choice: Great, excellent, approved — one-word Kiwi praise. Pronunciation: choyss (often drawn out: 'choooice').

What does "Choice" mean?

"Choice" is one-syllable Kiwi approval. Mate shows you their new ute? "Choice." Boss confirms the long weekend? "Choice!" Someone saves you the last sausage at the barbie? "Choooice." It means great, excellent, ideal — with a built-in nod of appreciation.

It slots into the great Kiwi compliment ladder — good, choice, mean, mean as — and can take the intensifier for "choice as". As an adjective it works before nouns too: a choice spot for a picnic, a choice wave, a choice bit of kai. However used, it signals genuine, unforced approval.

"Choice" also does gratitude-adjacent work like "chur": if someone does you a small favour, "oh choice, thanks bro" acknowledges both the deed and your delight. It's impossible to say aggressively, which makes it one of the friendliest words in the dialect.

Origin

"Choice" as praise comes from the older sense of choice goods — the picked, premium selection. New Zealand clipped it into a standalone exclamation somewhere around the 1980s–90s and never looked back: if something is choice, it's top-shelf, hand-picked, the good stuff.

Examples

"I got us tickets for Saturday." "Choice! What time?"
"Found a choice camping spot right by the river."
"They're chucking in free delivery." "Oh choice as."
"How's the new flat?" "Choice, bro. Sun all afternoon."

FAQs

What does "choice" mean in NZ slang?: "Choice" means great, excellent, approved — a one-word Kiwi exclamation of praise. "Choice as" turns it up further.
Where does "choice" come from?: From the older English sense of "choice goods" — the premium, hand-picked selection. NZ turned it into a standalone exclamation around the 1980s and 90s.
Is "choice" the same as "sweet as"?: Very similar — both express approval. "Sweet as" leans toward "no problem / all good" as a response, while "choice" is more direct praise for a thing or news.

Related NZ slang: Mean as | Sweet as | Mint | Keen

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