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World video travel guide
News • New Zealand • 2011-04-13
Kia Ora! A real Kiwi welcome for RWC fans
Rugby World Cup visitors will leave New Zealand with two words - kia ora - firmly embedded in their vocabulary, if the Māori culture-rich region of Rotorua has its way.
The Māori greeting which means ‘be well / healthy’ is commonly used throughout New Zealand in place of English-language greetings, and is also an appropriate term when farewelling or wishing someone good luck.
But with just 150 days (12.04.11) to go until RWC 2011, the Rotorua District Council (RDC) is encouraging wider use of kia ora and wants locals to adopt it as the official greeting to welcome visitors to the central North Island city - famed for its unique geo-thermal activity and strong cultural history.
World’s warmest welcome
RDC Rugby World Cup 2011 coordinator Renee Nathan says the council is stepping up its ‘Kia ora - The World’s Warmest Welcome’ campaign to ensure local people use New Zealand's unique greeting and are comfortable to do so by the time international rugby fans arrive.
Three RWC 2011 pool matches will be held in Rotorua, and the city is hosting teams from Namibia, Samoa, Ireland, Fiji and Russia. The central location is also likely to make the region a popular stopping-off point for fans as they travel to other host cities.
As well as being New Zealand’s heartland of Māori culture and the centre of one of the Pacific’s most active thermal regions, Rotorua is a popular destination for thrills and adventures.
There are 16 lakes in the region and it is renowned for trout fishing and boating, as well as being a top destination for thermal spas, mountain biking, forest walks and world-first adventures like the Zorb and Shweeb.
Lasting impression
Nathan says RDC wants to ensure that celebrations leave guests with a positive and lasting impression of Rotorua, and memories of friendly and welcoming people.
"It would be fantastic to see ‘kia ora’ messages on the reception desk, on emails or newsletters, hearing people say 'kia ora' when they answer the phone, on voice mail messages or when walking down the street.
"The opportunities to promote 'kia ora' are endless. We know that some of our businesses have already adopted 'kia ora’ but we would like everyone to come on board," says Nathan.
Flags and city signs
Promotions in the city will also include kia ora flags and temporary signs around the Rotorua central city.
Mayor Kevin Winters says with Rotorua hosting five international teams, numerous overseas media, and an influx of visitors before, during and after RWC 2011, the city has a wonderful opportunity to promote the destination to the world.
"I know visitors will be bowled over by our city’s famous spirit of manaakitanga [hospitality]. Being excellent hosts to important guests is something we’ve done well in this part of the country for over 150 years."
Background: Kia Ora
The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage website lists kia ora as one of 100 Māori phrases that every New Zealander should know, with the definition "Hi!, G'day! (general informal greeting)".
The Māori phrase resembles the word 'kia orana' found in some Pacific Island languages, which has a similar meaning.
Visitors flying to New Zealand with the country’s national airline, Air New Zealand, will already be familiar with the term before they land in the country - Kia Ora is the title of the airline’s in-flight magazine.
