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Story: English language in New Zealand

Munted

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Munted

Munted, meaning broken or ruined, gained currency after the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 to the extent that the word popped up in unlikely places, like these road signs. Previously it was mostly used by young people.

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by Paul Corliss

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How to cite this page

Dianne Bardsley, English language in New Zealand – New words, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/40335/munted (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Dianne Bardsley, published 3 December 2012.