19 Sep 2024

Waka jumper added to dictionary

From Midday Report, 12:45 pm on 19 September 2024

The term "waka jumper" is one of the latest colloquial English phrases to be added to the Oxford English Dictionary. The term, which is used almost exclusively in New Zealand politics, is among several new words in the dictionary's latest update. Also on the list is 'tikanga', 'kapa haka', 'mahi', chilly bin', 'ditch' and 'Aotearoan'. Dr Peter Keegan, a linguist at the University of Auckland, spoke to Midday Report.