The term “Kiwi” is a common, affectionate shorthand used to refer to a specific group of people, often encountered in international contexts. This simple, two-syllable word is a widely recognized moniker associated with a distinct national identity.
The National Identity
The nationality associated with the nickname “Kiwi” is New Zealand. People from this South Pacific island nation use the term as a common self-reference and have adopted it as an informal national identity. This colloquial name is so widespread that it is frequently preferred over the official term “New Zealander” in casual conversation both within the country and globally. The moniker is generally viewed as a symbol of pride and affection, serving as a unifying cultural shorthand.
Origin of the Nickname
The moniker originates directly from the kiwi, the unique, flightless bird endemic to New Zealand. Historically, the bird was important to the indigenous Māori people, who used its feathers to create valuable cloaks known as kahu kiwi. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the bird’s image appeared in local commerce and newspaper cartoons, establishing the kiwi as a national emblem.
The transition from a national symbol to a personal nickname solidified during World War I. New Zealand soldiers serving abroad wore the kiwi bird on their regimental badges and insignia. As a result, the men of the New Zealand regiments became known as “Kiwis” by 1917. This association with the military solidified the term, and following the war, the nickname gradually spread to include all New Zealanders.
Clarifying the Kiwi Bird and Fruit
The word “Kiwi” can refer to the people, the bird, or the fruit, which often causes confusion. The kiwi bird is a nocturnal creature noted for its un-bird-like characteristics, such as feathers that resemble fur and nostrils located at the tip of its long beak. It is roughly the size of a domestic chicken and is the only bird in the world that lays an egg proportionate to its size.
The fruit, however, is not indigenous to New Zealand, having originated in China where it was known as the “Chinese gooseberry.” Seeds were brought to New Zealand in 1904, and the fruit was cultivated locally, but its original name proved to be a marketing challenge. In 1959, New Zealand exporters, specifically Turners & Growers, rebranded the product to “kiwifruit” for the American market. This change was a strategic move to avoid the negative connotations of “Chinese” during the Cold War and to link the fruit to the country’s national bird.