Down-to-earth New Zealanders (5)
I believe the answer is:
kiwis
'new zealanders' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for kiwis that I've seen before include "Flightless birds and fruits" , "Flightless birds of New Zealand" , "NZ birds or team" .)