Sweet As Tees › NZ Slang › Kia ora
Kia ora: Hello — a warm Māori greeting used by all New Zealanders. Pronunciation: kee-ah OR-ah (often flowing together as 'kyor-rah' in quick speech).
"Kia ora" is how New Zealand says hello. It's a Māori greeting used daily by Kiwis of every background — you'll hear it answering phones, opening speeches, starting emails and welcoming you onto the marae. Literally it means "be well", which makes it less a casual 'hi' and more a small wish for someone's health.
It's wonderfully flexible. "Kia ora" works as hello, thank you, cheers, an acknowledgement ("kia ora for that"), and even agreement in a meeting. Add who you're greeting and it scales: "kia ora kōrua" for two people, "kia ora koutou" for three or more — though a simple "kia ora" is always right.
For visitors, it's the single most useful phrase to learn before landing in Aotearoa. Using it isn't seen as trying too hard — it's seen as respect. Say it warmly, roll into it, and you'll get a "kia ora" straight back.
"Kia ora" is te reo Māori, literally meaning "be well" or "have life" — a blessing of health offered as a greeting. It's been part of everyday New Zealand English for generations and is now the standard warm hello across the country: on Air New Zealand flights, in government emails, at the supermarket checkout.