Spelling in New Zealand English

In New Zealand English, just like in British English, many words are spelled with ‘our’, while in US English ‘or’ is used.

Here are some common 'our' words:

• colour

• neighbour

• honour

• favourite

• flavour

• behaviour

• harbour

• humour
  
  

All of the above words are spelled with 'or' instead of 'our' in US English. For example, colour is spelled color and flavour is spelled flavor.

Be careful — some words are still spelled with ‘or’ in New Zealand English. These words are also spelled with ‘or’ in US English. There is no specific rule to help you know when to use ‘our’ or ‘or’. However, it can be helpful to notice that many words ending in ‘or’ are names of jobs or objects. Some examples are doctor, author, actor, mirror, calculator, and motor. 

In New Zealand English, like British English, many verbs end in ‘ise’, whereas US English uses ‘ize’.

Here are some common 'ise' words:

• realise

• organise

• specialise

• recognise

• apologise

• socialise

• prioritise
  
  

All of the above words are spelled with 'ize' instead of 'ise' in US English. For example, apologise is spelled apologize and prioritise is spelled prioritize.

In US English, there are some verbs that end with 'ise', such as: advertise, revise, surprise, and exercise.

In New Zealand English, like British English, some words end in ‘re’ that in US English end in ‘er’.

Here are some common 're' words:

• centre

• metre

• litre

• theatre
  
  

Be careful, because there are a lot more words that end in 'er' than 're'. It is best to remember the small list of words that end in 're'. Look at a selection of the words that end in 'er' in both British/New Zealand and US English: December, painter, water, mother, letter, number, oyster, blender, teacher, farmer.

When you add a suffix (like -er, -ing, -ed) to a word that ends in the letter 'l', the 'l' is often doubled in New Zealand (and British) English. This doesn't happen in US English spelling.

Here are some common words that have double l spelling:

• travel + er becomes traveller

• cancel + ed becomes cancelled

• label + ing becomes labelling

• control + ed becomes controlled
  
  

When you add a suffix to these words in US English, you do not double the l. For example: travel + er is traveler and cancel + ed becomes canceled. 

Practice / practise
In US English, the word practice is always spelled with a 'c', for both the noun and the verb. For example:

• You need to practice more. (verb)

• How was basketball practice? (noun)

In New Zealand (and British) English, the word practice is spelled with a 'c' for the noun and with an 's' for the verb. For example:

• You need to practise more. (verb)

• How was basketball practice? (noun)

Programme / program
In US English, the word program is always spelled the same way. However, in New Zealand (and British) English, it is spelled program when it's about computer software and coding, but it is spelled programme when it's about a television show, list of event details or educational course. Here are some examples:

• The school is doing a new reading programme to help students work on their literacy. (New Zealand English)

• The school is doing a new reading program to help students work on their literacy. (US English)

For each one, select the spelling that you think is used in New Zealand English.

1. I just realised / realized that I haven't eaten chocolate in two weeks!

2. What's your favorite / favourite ice cream flavour?

3. What was the best place you went to when you were travelling / traveling?

4. How many litres / liters of water do you drink per day?

5. I need to practise / practice my spelling.

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Answers: 1. realised 2. favourite 3. travelling 4. litres 5. practise