Language
New Zealanders Sound Like Neanderthals - Study
Neanderthals have spoken out for the first time in 30,000 years, and - in a New Zealand accent. Audio
Spelling Bee
A 12-year-old former Afghan refugee has won the title of New Zealand's third best speller. Audio
Jim's Essay
The secret words people use that only they and an exclusive few can understand. Audio
Macmillan Brown lecture 3, 2005
'A whirlpool of impure vocalisation': attitudes to New Zealand English. When the New Zealand accent was first noticed it was roundly condemned. Critics said it was the product of poor homes and… Audio
Macmillan Brown lecture 2, 2005
'Afghans' and 'cheerios', 'kiwi' and 'iwi': the words we use. The beginnings of New Zealand English go back to the time when Captain Cook borrowed Maori words into English. In this lecture Elizabeth… Audio
Macmillan Brown lecture 1, 2005
The New Zealand accent was first noticed around 1900 when it was called a 'colonial twang'. Recordings of old New Zealanders collected in the 1940's by the New Zealand National Broadcasting Service… Audio