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Sweet as! - A kiwi colloquialism meaning ‘cool’, ‘awesome’, ‘yes’, ‘okay’ or ‘I agree with your statement’. Basically, anytime you want to respond affirmatively or describe something in a positive way, it’s ’sweet as’. The only exception to that rule is demonstrated in the dialogue below…

“D’youse fellas need a ride?”

“Na bro, sweet as”

This kiwi colloquialism seems to have the markings of a simile, except that the ’sweetness’ is never compared to anything. Possibly, because just about everything in New Zealand is ’sweet as’, so it’s impossible to single out just one thing to complete the simile. Of course TimeZoneOne is ’sweet as’, but here’s some ’sweet as’ kiwi things that are literally ’sweet as’…

PAVLOVA - there’s not much more to a Pavlova than a bunch of egg whites and a bucket of sugar, then we top it with sugary whipped cream and fruit… Sweet as!

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LEMON AND PAEROA (L&P) - New Zealand’s fizzy drink, just like all soft drinks, it’s pretty much sugar and carbonated water… Sweet as!

HOKEY POKEY - you get some sugar, mix it with Golden Syrup (liquid sugar) and baking soda, and cook it. Usually served as bits in already sugary ice cream or covered in chocolate in the form of a Crunchie Bar … Sweet as!

KŪMARA - Ugly, but sweet, native sweet potato, it’s pretty good roasted, but when cooked in the Hāngi , it’s definitely… Sweet as!

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KIWIFRUIT - Sweet little fruit with all the vitamin C and anti-oxidants a kiwi needs… Sweet as!

However, just because something is sweet doesn’t mean it is automatically ’sweet as’. For example Shandies , a sweet 50/50 mixture of beer and lemonade, are only ’sweet as’ for the ladies.

Combining ’sweet as’ things correctly can elevate them to the next level. For example… Take a Pavlova and throw some kiwifruit on top… and, Ka pai e hoa, you’ve made something ‘Choice’. Now combine the Pavlova and kiwifruit with Hokey Pokey ice cream and, bob’s your uncle, you’ve made something ‘wicked’ (pronounced wuck-id). But be careful… fish and chips + L&P + Crunchie bars, Pavlova and Hokey Pokey ice cream = Type 2 Diabetes, which is ’stink’.

Here’s another example of kiwi open-ended similes (and our sexy accent)…

David McLeod

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