Our Story
Welcome to Kia Ora Canada.
Our organization is a combination of Kiwis and Canadians mostly living in Canada, generally for the purpose of networking and social events in each of our communities.
The inspiration for the Kia Ora Canada logo is drawn from both of our country’s iconic leaves - the maple leaf and the silver fern to represent the joint strength of our cultural heritages and shared future. Kia Ōra means Hello in Māori - the indigenous language of New Zealand. The colours of red & white are common to both countries, where black is reference to the “national colour" of New Zealand.
Our group originally started under the KEA New Zealand brand with a purpose of promoting NZ interests in Canada. In September 2013, after KEA New Zealand dissolved many of its overseas chapters, our board made the bold step to move forward as Kia Ora Canada. The board is currently made up of 9 members from a diverse group of Aotearoa born volunteers. All of whom sponsor our time to the continued elevation and supplemental support of our New Zealand and Canadian partnerships, businesses and those on overseas experiences.
We are a registered not for profit group, based in Toronto, Ontario.
Our Approach
Kia Ora Canada Toronto hosts or supports a number of kiwi focused events throughout the year. Such as our monthly pub nights, summer picnics, our kiwi Christmas dinner, Waitangi Day celebrations, Anzac Day memorials, rugby & cricket screenings, TIFF screenings, group bookings for concerts, sporting & racing events, and countless other social or business centric gatherings.
We not only continue to foster close ties with fellow Kia Ora chapters across Canada and the USA, but also New Zealand's diplomatic mission to Canada, New Zealand businesses, and all sporting & community organizations and initiatives that promote NZ in Canada.
On what is a limited budget, together we have still managed to achieve many memorable results over the years. Notably in 2019, with the support of Hemingway's, we hosted an amazing fundraiser for Christchurch Shooting victims. In attendance was the New Zealand High Commissioner and Australian Consul General bringing unity and support for those affected by the tragic events in the Garden City. Recently, we quickly raised funds for the Whakaari/White Island victims at the following Christmas Party raffle. With the advent of what could have been a really great 2020, the pandemic quickly struck down our valiant efforts, but only temporarily.
Kiwis from around the GTA gather on the second Wednesday of every month at Hemingway's Restaurant & Bar. Without a doubt our spiritual home here in Toronto. Located in the heart of Yorkville, downtown Toronto. Find us at the 'Kiwi Korner', up on the top patio bar underneath the giant map of Australia and New Zealand.