New Zealand English (NZE) is spoken in New Zealand and the Cook Islands. There are few varieties, namely Southland English and Māori English. New Zealand English is characterized by 24 consonants and consonant clusters typically associated with Australian English and English spoken in the United Kingdom. In terms of vowels, NZE is a non-rhotic dialect, with the main difference with General American English being the absence of rhotic vowels in NZE. There are several
studies of children’s acquisition of NZE that demonstrate similarities as well as differences with children learning other dialects of English. Researchers have focused on integrated phonological awareness, letter knowledge, and speech sound interventions for children with speech sound disorders, including those with childhood apraxia of speech. Common speech assessments include the New Zealand Articulation Test and the Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology. Interventions for children with speech sound disorder (SSD) are similar to those used with children who speak other dialects of English.

Key words:
New Zealand English, multilingual, communication, speech, language, children’s development, interdisciplinary, international communities, assessment, intervention

Book chapter:
Macrae, T., McNeill, B., Gillon, G. T., & Maclagan, M. (2025). English (New Zealand) speech development. In S. McLeod (Ed.). The Oxford handbook of speech development in languages of the world. Oxford University Press.

Language overview presentation:
Macrae, T., McNeill, B., Gillon, G. T., & Maclagan, M. (forthcoming). English (New Zealand): Multilingual children’s speech development. Charles Sturt University, Australia. https://www.csu.edu.au/research/multilingual-speech/languages

This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goals