Kia kaha 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 included the phrase in a message to their loved ones in Christchurch. Kia kaha Kia kaha is a Māori phrase used by the people of New Zealand as an affirmation, meaning "stay strong". The phrase has significant meaning for Māori: popularised through its usage by the 28th Māori Battalion during World
Kia kaha Primary School (Kia Kaha). Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles (QAMR) an armored regiment based at Waiouru uses Ake Ake Kia Kaha as their motto. 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. The trainers of Beachbody's Les Mills Pump home workout program also use this phrase regularly throughout the program. When the 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit the New Zealand city of Christchurch on 22 February 2011, following the 4 September 2010 earthquake, "Kia Kaha" became the iconic phrase used by family and friends