Auckland.
1st July, 1901.
H.E. Partridge Esq,
Auckland.

Dear Sir
Your letter of the 28th June last has been received by me. Before giving you the literal meaning of the words "Kia Ora" as used by our people I might as well seperate the two & show the use they would have in English: Take "Kia" - this represents your word "To".

Take "Ora" - this represents "Live" or "Life".
There are many other words for which "Ora" is used: such as "safe" "saved" "satisfied" and a few others:
However when the words are used jointly the literal meaning would be - "To Live".
The wider use of the words however has always been accepted by the Maoris to convey, _
(1) Long Life (2) Good health, happiness & prosperity
(3) Kind Greetings.
In fact it conveys all the best wishes one person intends to convey to another or to a number of people: The two words are used so as to avoid the expression being made cumbersome by the use of many words. To make it as simple as possible but to convey as much as possible. The weight & strength of the expression & the length, breadth & depth of its meaning would be better understood & appreciated by the kindly & sincere manner of the person who gives it utterance. When you say in your letter that the Duke of Cornwall & York must have been struck with the words "Kia
Ora" as witness his constant use of them. I can only say that the Maori tribes of New Zealand who were assembled at Rotorua felt & appreciated the use of the words by our Royal & most Distinguished Visitor.

Yours very truly
Hone Heke.