[3] It is used as an informal greeting or farewell equivalent to "hi", "hello", or "goodbye" and can be used as an expression of thanks similar to "cheers".

As a greeting of local origin, it is comparable to the term "g'day" (used in Australian and New Zealand English).

[4] Kia ora can follow a similar pattern to address different specific numbers of people.

[10] In 1984, an Auckland telephone operator, Naida Glavish,[11] was instructed to stop using kia ora when greeting callers after the post office had received a complaint.

[12] The Postmaster-General, Rob Talbot, convinced the then Prime Minister Robert Muldoon to overturn the prohibition on kia ora.