June 21, 2022
Ki o rahi tourney brings out the smiles
An organiser of last week’s ki o rahi regional tournament in Huntly says it showed the growing strength of the ancient game among Māori.
Covid and influenza meant only 22 of the 32 secondary schools who registered made the field, but there were schools form as far away as Gisborne and Wellington.
Ora Kihi from Te Wharekura o Rākaumanga says that’s still a big jump from the 11 schools which showed up for the first national tournament in Tolaga Bay in 2010.
He says it’s not an elitist sport.
“It’s not like touch where everybody has to be quick and fit and fast. There’s a place for fit people. There’s a pace for the bigger people to block out the tupu and pass it. Its definitely a team sport and in order to win it you’ve got to be a good team,” he says.
Ora Kihi says the good thing for him is not who won the tournament but to see the smiles on the kids playing Kī o Rahi again.
Rākaumanga lost its regional title to Hamilton Boys and Girls High Schools.