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Story: The New Zealanders

Jandals

Jandals

Jandals (rubber thongs), worn ubiquitously during the summer, are also of foreign origin – this time from Asia. The name, however, is authentically New Zealand.

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Melanie Lovell-Smith

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How to cite this page

Jock Phillips, The New Zealanders – Bicultural New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/1995/jandals (accessed 16 June 2026).

Story by Jock Phillips, published 4 March 2009, updated 1 May 2015.

Comments

Matt
16 November 2017
Surely the description, "Jandals (rubber thongs)" should read "Jandals (rubber flip-flops)", since 'thong' is a uniquely Australian name for this footwear that only pours confusion on the definition. The term 'flip-flop' is a more universal name, while 'thong' means something completely different in New Zealand and elsewhere!