Kia kaha
Encyclopedia
Kia kaha is a Māori
phrase used by both the Māori and Pākehā
(European) people of New Zealand
. It means be strong and is used as an affirmation. The phrase has significant meaning for both the Māori and Pākehā people of New Zealand. Popularised through its usage by the 28th Māori Battalion
during World War II, it has been in common use since and is regularly found in titles of books and songs, as well as a motto.
Linguistically, kia kaha consists of the desiderative verbal particle kia, which is used here as 'an encouragement to achieve the state named', that is, an encouragement to achieve kaha or strength. Kaha derives from Proto-Polynesian
*kafa, meaning "strong" or "great"; *kafa is also the Proto-Polynesian term for sennit rope, a strong rope made from coconut fibres and used for lashing canoes, weapons, and buildings together.
' - an interjection during a speech to indicate support or approval (similar to hear! hear!). It is sometimes also seen used as a valediction
at the bottom of messages.
. The phrase has been used for the title of a song by Split Enz
and a book, Kia Kaha: New Zealand in the Second World War by historian John Crawford. Other songs to use Kia kaha as part of their titles include "Kia Kaha Nga Iwi" (Be strong, o tribes), by Ngoi Pewhairangi. John Campbell, a popular current affairs presenter in New Zealand, uses "Kia kaha everybody" as his closing words to his program on national television.
's school anti-bullying campaign.
motto, Ake ake kia kaha: "For ever and ever be strong", where 'ake ake' means '(for)ever (for)ever' and 'kia kaha' means 'be strong'. Ake! Ake! Kia Kaha E! was the marching song of the New Zealand Army's 28th (Māori) Battalion
.
Numerous schools use Kia kaha as, or as part of, their mottoes, including Te Aute College
, Hawke's Bay (Whakatangata kia kaha); Tikipunga High School, Whangarei (Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui); Golden Bay High School
, Takaka (Ake ake kia kaha); Rotorua Intermediate School, Rotorua (Kia kaha, kia maia); and Rosehill Intermediate School, Papakura (Whaia kia kaha) and Te Awamutu Te Awamutu College.
Kia kaha is also used in the film Forever Strong
, and is the motto of the Highland High School rugby team which features in the film.
on 22 February 2011, following the 4 September 2010 earthquake, Kia Kaha became the iconic phrase used by family and friends supporting the city in their time of need. The New Zealand Herald reported the use of the phrase by Prince William at a memorial service on 18 March 2011 "drew applause and tears from tens of thousands of mourners".
A video made by New Zealanders living in New York shows this iconic status by basing their message around the phrase and sending the clip to their loved ones in Christchurch.
Maori language
Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...
phrase used by both the Māori and Pākehā
Pakeha
Pākehā is a Māori language word for New Zealanders who are "of European descent". They are mostly descended from British and to a lesser extent Irish settlers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, although some Pākehā have Dutch, Scandinavian, German, Yugoslav or other ancestry...
(European) people of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It means be strong and is used as an affirmation. The phrase has significant meaning for both the Māori and Pākehā people of New Zealand. Popularised through its usage by the 28th Māori Battalion
Maori Battalion
The 28th Battalion, more commonly known as the Māori Battalion, was an infantry battalion of the New Zealand Army that served during the Second World War. It was formed following pressure on the Labour government by some Māori MPs and Māori organisations throughout the country wanting a full Māori...
during World War II, it has been in common use since and is regularly found in titles of books and songs, as well as a motto.
Linguistically, kia kaha consists of the desiderative verbal particle kia, which is used here as 'an encouragement to achieve the state named', that is, an encouragement to achieve kaha or strength. Kaha derives from Proto-Polynesian
Proto-Polynesian language
Proto-Polynesian, , is the hypothetical proto-language from which all the modern Polynesian languages descend. Historical linguists have reconstructed the language using the comparative method, in much the same manner as with Proto-Indo-European and Proto-Afro-Asiatic...
*kafa, meaning "strong" or "great"; *kafa is also the Proto-Polynesian term for sennit rope, a strong rope made from coconut fibres and used for lashing canoes, weapons, and buildings together.
Usage
The phrase is used in several ways in several different contexts. It is a term of comfort or solace (an equivalent of be strong - my thoughts are with you), or (less often) it can serve a similar function to 'kia oraKia ora
Kia ora is a Māori language greeting which has entered New Zealand English. It means literally "be well/healthy" and is translated as an informal "hi" at the Māori Language Commission website Kōrero Māori...
' - an interjection during a speech to indicate support or approval (similar to hear! hear!). It is sometimes also seen used as a valediction
Valediction
A valediction , or complimentary close in American English, is an expression used to say farewell, especially a word or phrase used to end a letter or message, or the act of saying parting words- whether brief, or extensive.For the greetings counterpart to valediction, see salutation.Alternatively,...
at the bottom of messages.
In the media
The phrase "Kia kaha" is prominently used in New Zealand's most famous military song, the Marching Song of the 28th Māori BattalionMaori Battalion
The 28th Battalion, more commonly known as the Māori Battalion, was an infantry battalion of the New Zealand Army that served during the Second World War. It was formed following pressure on the Labour government by some Māori MPs and Māori organisations throughout the country wanting a full Māori...
. The phrase has been used for the title of a song by Split Enz
Split Enz
Split Enz were a New Zealand band of the 1970s and early 1980s featuring Phil Judd and brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. They achieved chart success in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada during the early 1980s ‒ most notably with the single "I Got You", and built a cult following elsewhere...
and a book, Kia Kaha: New Zealand in the Second World War by historian John Crawford. Other songs to use Kia kaha as part of their titles include "Kia Kaha Nga Iwi" (Be strong, o tribes), by Ngoi Pewhairangi. John Campbell, a popular current affairs presenter in New Zealand, uses "Kia kaha everybody" as his closing words to his program on national television.
In product names and campaigns
Kia kaha has been used as the name of various products, most notably a clothing manufacturer. It is also the official name of the New Zealand PoliceNew Zealand Police
The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...
's school anti-bullying campaign.
As a motto
It was incorporated in the RNZAF'S 75 SquadronNo. 75 Squadron RAF
No. 75 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operated as a bomber unit in World War II, before being transferred to the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1945.-First World War, Royal Flying Corps, Home Defence Squadron :...
motto, Ake ake kia kaha: "For ever and ever be strong", where 'ake ake' means '(for)ever (for)ever' and 'kia kaha' means 'be strong'. Ake! Ake! Kia Kaha E! was the marching song of the New Zealand Army's 28th (Māori) Battalion
Maori Battalion
The 28th Battalion, more commonly known as the Māori Battalion, was an infantry battalion of the New Zealand Army that served during the Second World War. It was formed following pressure on the Labour government by some Māori MPs and Māori organisations throughout the country wanting a full Māori...
.
Numerous schools use Kia kaha as, or as part of, their mottoes, including Te Aute College
Te Aute College
Te Aute College is a school in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. It opened in 1854 with twelve pupils under Samuel Williams, an Anglican missionary, and nephew and son-in-law of Bishop William Williams. It has a strong Māori character.It was built on land provided by Te Whatuiapiti, a hapu...
, Hawke's Bay (Whakatangata kia kaha); Tikipunga High School, Whangarei (Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui); Golden Bay High School
Golden Bay High School
Golden Bay High School is a secondary school in Golden Bay, New Zealand....
, Takaka (Ake ake kia kaha); Rotorua Intermediate School, Rotorua (Kia kaha, kia maia); and Rosehill Intermediate School, Papakura (Whaia kia kaha) and Te Awamutu Te Awamutu College.
Kia kaha is also used in the film Forever Strong
Forever Strong
Forever Strong is a sports film directed by Ryan Little and written by David Pliler and released on September 26, 2008. The film stars Sean Faris, Gary Cole, Neal McDonough, Sean Astin, Penn Badgley and Arielle Kebbel. The film is about a troubled rugby union player who must play against the team...
, and is the motto of the Highland High School rugby team which features in the film.
Christchurch Earthquake
When the 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit the New Zealand city of ChristchurchChristchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
on 22 February 2011, following the 4 September 2010 earthquake, Kia Kaha became the iconic phrase used by family and friends supporting the city in their time of need. The New Zealand Herald reported the use of the phrase by Prince William at a memorial service on 18 March 2011 "drew applause and tears from tens of thousands of mourners".
A video made by New Zealanders living in New York shows this iconic status by basing their message around the phrase and sending the clip to their loved ones in Christchurch.