Why Are New Zealanders Called Kiwis? The Surprising Story Behind the Nation’s Iconic Nickname
The first time a foreigner called a New Zealander a *kiwi*, it wasn’t meant as a compliment. In the early 20th century, the term was a playful jab—an outsider’s attempt to mock the island nation’s perceived quirkiness. Yet by the 1970s, the nickname had flipped: it was a badge of pride, a shorthand for belonging. […]