New Zild - The Story of New Zealand English

New Zealand's unique accent is often derided across the dutch for its vowel-mangling pronunciation ("sex fush'n'chups", anyone?) and being too fast-paced for tourists to understand. In this documentary Jim Mora follows the evolution of New Zealand English, from the "colonial twang" to Billy T James. Linguist Elizabeth Gordon explains the infamous HRT (High Rising Terminal) at the end of sentences, and Mora interprets such phrases as "air gun" ("how are you going?"). Lynn of Tawa also features, in an accent face-off with Sam Neill and Judy Bailey.

Key Cast & Crew

Sam Neill

Subject

Pio Terei

Subject

Judy Bailey

Subject

Ginette McDonald

As: Lynn of Tawa

Jim Mora

Presenter, Writer

John Milligan

Director, Writer, Producer, Editor