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Kiwi is the nickname used internationally for people from New Zealand, as well as being a relatively common self-reference. The name derives from the kiwi, a flightless bird, which is native to, and the national symbol of, New Zealand. Unlike many demographic labels, its usage is not considered offensive; it is generally viewed as a symbol of pride and endearment for the people of New Zealand.
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History
In the early 1900s New Zealanders—including soldiers and the All Blacks—were referred to as En Zed(der)s, Fernleaves, or Maorilanders. This usage was still in place near the end of World War I. However, although New Zealand soldiers were often described as Diggers or Pig Islanders; by 1917 they were also being called Kiwis.
The kiwi had appeared on military badges since the South Canterbury Battalion used it in 1886, and it was taken up by several regiments in the First World War. "Kiwi" came to mean first the men of New Zealand regiments and then all New Zealanders. Many troops stayed in Europe (particularly at Sling Camp, near Bulford on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, where they carved a chalk kiwi into the nearby hill in 1918) for months or years until transport home could be arranged.
The Oxford English Dictionary gives the first use of the 'Kiwi' to mean 'New Zealander' in 1918, in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force Chronicles. The nickname 'Kiwis' for New Zealand servicemen eventually became common usage in all war theatres. However, the Australian National Dictionary also gives the first use of the term 'Kiwi Kids' and 'Kiwis' in 1917, to mean Australian army recruits who had kiwied up; in other words, they had highly polished boots. This usage is now obsolete.
The first official use of the term by a New Zealand sports team was by the New Zealand Rugby League team on its 1938 Tour of Australia, though the term had been colloquially applied to this team for some time.
Following World War II the term was gradually attributed to all New Zealanders and today, throughout the world they are referred to as Kiwis, as well as often referring to themselves that way.
Current usage
Spelling of the word Kiwi, when used to describe the people, is often capitalised, and takes the plural form Kiwis. The bird's name is spelt with a lower-case k and, being a word of Māori origin, normally stays as kiwi when pluralised. Thus, two Kiwis refers to two people, whereas two kiwi refers to two birds. This linguistic nicety is well exemplified by the BNZ Save the Kiwi Conservation Trust, which uses the slogan "Kiwis saving kiwi".