Lexical distribution
There are not many differences in lexical distribution of vowels between New Zealand English and RP. The most obvious differences are listed below.
basic in old-fashioned pronunciation had TRAP in the first syllable, particularly in the combination basic slag; now FACE is usual
because variation between LOT, THOUGHT and STRUT
geyser always has stressed PRICE in the first syllable
gross pronounced with GOAT when a children’s term meaning ‘disgusting’, often pronounced with LOT by adults in other meanings
maroon sometimes heard with GOAT in the second syllable
off a rare THOUGHT is still heard alongside the usual LOT
project variably pronounced with LOT or GOAT in the first syllable
pronunciation non-standardly but frequently pronounced with MOUTH in the second syllable
proven often pronounced with GOAT in the stressed syllable as an alternative to GOOSE
tuna frequently has no yod
vitamin always has stressed PRICE in the first syllable
women pronounced as homophonous with woman, with FOOT in the first syllable
worry increasingly with LOT
yoghurt has GOAT in the first syllable
When French loan-words which have /y/ in French are pronounced in New Zealand English, the /y/ is replaced with GOOSE rather than with a /j/ and then GOOSE. So we find things like debut /dæebʉ:/.
There is a marked tendency to spelling-pronunciation in New Zealand English. Trentham is pronounced with /θ/ (although Thames, Thomas and Thompson are not); Davis will be pronounced differently from Davies; Catriona is frequently pronounced /kætri'ɐʉnɘ/ ; occurrence, deterrent with NURSE as the stressed vowel are not infrequent; Wednesday may still be heard pronounced with two /d/s. Many other examples are heard sporadically.
