馃嚦馃嚳 Maori phrases

How to Say "Hi" in Maori

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Kia ora
"Hi" in Maori 路 say it like kee-ah or-ah

The most natural way to say "Hi" in Maori is Kia ora. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Kia ora koutou
Use when addressing multiple people.
Kia ora e hoa
Use when greeting a friend.

When to use it

You can use 'Kia ora' in both formal and informal settings. It is a friendly greeting suitable for any time of day. It is often used to acknowledge someone's presence or to start a conversation.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Hi" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Maori

MaoriEnglish
Kia ora, kei te p膿hea koe?Hello, how are you?
Kia ora koutou, nau mai ki te hui.Hello everyone, welcome to the meeting.
Common mistake
Some learners may confuse 'Kia ora' with 'Kia kaha', which means 'be strong'.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Kia ora, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Maori with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'Kia ora' used only in New Zealand?

Yes, it is a common greeting in New Zealand, especially among M膩ori people.

Learn Maori by speaking it

Two free conversations. No card needed.