where does the new zealand accent come from
The English language was established in New Zealand by colonists during the 19th century. It is one of "the newest native-speaker variet (ies) of the English language in existence, a variety which has developed and become distinctive only in the last 150 years". The most distinctive influences on New Zealand English have come from Australian English, English in southern England, Irish English, Scottish English, the prestige Received Pronunciation (RP), and Māori. New Zealand English is most similar to Australian English in pronunciation, with some key differences.