When it comes to communicating with new arrivals settling in New Zealand the message is lose the "yeah nahs".

Immigration New Zealand has just launched a website as a guide for organisations and individuals communicating with those new to New Zealand.

The Keeping it Clear guide says avoid the "sweet as" language that is unique to New Zealand.

On Te Reo and other typically Kiwi expressions, the guide says that it is likely most newcomers will not know what the expressions mean.

"If you use a Maori word or phrase, remember to give an English translation or include a glossary," says the INZ website.

It uses the example, "After the powhiri, we will head back to the office for some kai", which the guide says should be delivered as, "After the powhiri (welcome ceremony), we will go back to the office for some kai (food)".

The guide says keeping things simple means you need to try to eliminate Kiwi slang or colloquialisms and check for words, phrases and expressions that may confuse newcomers.

For example, it says "In New Zealand workplaces, small talk with workmates in the smoko room is an important way of establishing and maintaining good team relationships" is confusing.

INZ’s guide says a clearer way to say that would be, "In New Zealand workplaces, talking to your workmates during breaks is an important way for you to get to know your team".

National Manager for Settlement Issues, Judi Altinkaya, says moving to a new country involves finding out "a great deal of information that locals simply take for granted".

"New Zealand organisations are very good at providing those new to New Zealand with information, however, the information provided is not always written or presented in a user-friendly way," says Ms Altinkaya.

"We don’t realise that there are more than 25,000 idioms in the English language and we liberally scatter them through most information. These are extremely hard for new speakers of English to understand.