The short vowels TRAP

The New Zealand English TRAP vowel is close even by Australian standards, and unlike the corresponding vowel in RP and some varieties of Australian English, shows no signs of becoming opener as yet. As in many other varieties of English, there is some evidence of a TRAP-split, with longer and shorter versions potentially contrasting in pairs such as banned and band. There is neutralization with DRESS before /l/, whether or not the /l/ is in a coda. TRAP cannot be easily paired with any long vowel in New Zealand English.