kia ora

Kia ora is a Māori greeting used across New Zealand to mean hello, goodbye, thank you or good health. It literally means “have life” or “be healthy.”

What kia ora means

You’ll hear kia ora everywhere in New Zealand: on the radio, in shops, at the start of emails, from bus drivers and newsreaders. Wikipedia explains that it wishes life and health on the person you’re speaking to. It works as a casual “hi,” a friendly goodbye, or a “thanks,” and at a meeting it can signal agreement with a speaker.

Strictly, it isn’t slang; it’s a Māori phrase that has become part of New Zealand English. But it’s one of the first words anyone visiting New Zealand needs to know.

How to say it

Roughly kee-OR-a, or KYOR-a when said quickly.

Examples

• “Kia ora, everyone, thanks for coming.”
• “Kia ora for the help yesterday.”
• “The email started with ‘Kia ora koutou’ (hello, everyone).”

Where it came from

Kia ora comes from te reo Māori. Ora means life, health and vitality. The New Zealand government’s history site, NZHistory, lists it among 100 Māori words every New Zealander should know, and Collins defines it as “greetings! good luck!”

Related terms

• Chur: Kiwi slang for thanks or cheers.
• Howzit: the South African and Hawaiian “hi.”
• Good on ya: well done.
• Sweet as: great, no problem.

More New Zealand words are in our New Zealand slang guide.