New Zealand Greetings And Phrases Here’s a detailed table featuring common greetings and phrases used in New Zealand, along with their meanings and contexts:
Phrase | Meaning | Context |
---|---|---|
Kia ora | Hello / Thank you | A traditional Māori greeting used widely throughout New Zealand, suitable for any time of day. |
Haere mai | Welcome | Used to invite someone in or welcome them to a place. Frequently used in gatherings and events. |
Tēnā koe | Greetings to one person | A formal greeting used when addressing one individual, often in more official or respectful contexts. |
Tēnā kōrua | Greetings to two people | Used when addressing two people directly. Suitable for both formal and informal situations. |
Tēnā koutou | Greetings to three or more people | Used when addressing three or more people. Common in speeches and group settings. |
Mālō | Hello | Used primarily in the Pacific Islands community; informal greeting. |
How’s it going? | How are you? | Casual, informal greeting often used among friends and acquaintances. |
Sweet as | It’s all good / No worries | A positive expression indicating approval or that everything is fine. |
Cheers | Thank you | Commonly used to express gratitude, often at the end of a conversation or transaction. |
No worries | It’s okay / No problem | Used to reassure someone, often after they apologize or express concern. |
Good on ya | Well done / Good job | A compliment or acknowledgment of someone’s effort or achievement. |
See ya | Goodbye | Informal way of saying goodbye, commonly used among friends. |
Catch ya later | See you later | Casual farewell indicating that you’ll meet again soon. |
Chur | Thanks / Awesome | Informal expression of gratitude or excitement, often used among younger people. |
Kia kaha | Be strong | A supportive phrase used to encourage someone; it has cultural significance in Māori culture. |
Hurry up! | Move quickly | Informal way of encouraging someone to speed up; can be used playfully or seriously. |
No worries, mate | It’s okay, my friend | Informal phrase indicating that everything is fine; often used among friends. |
This table includes a mix of Māori phrases and colloquial English expressions that reflect the unique culture and friendliness of New Zealand.