The traditional sport of Kī o Rahi is growing its following across West Auckland as more tamariki get the opportunity to learn about the game and its history.

More than 100 year 5 and 6 students from across six schools from the Whau region took part in a recent tournament at Tahurangi/Crum Park, with Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi joining for the first time.

Organised by Sport Waitākere in collaboration with Kī o Rahi Tāmaki Makaurau, the event started in 2017 and is a regular annual fixture for local schools. 

“It was great to welcome five teams from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi to this year’s event which is playing a really important role in educating our tamariki about the history of the game, and fostering a great respect and love for what Kī o Rahi has to offer,” says Sport Waitākere’s Whau Cluster Coordinator Amber Craig.

The game of Kī o Rahi stems from the legend of Rahitutakahina and Tiarakurapakewai. It's essential that when learning the game that the purakau or legend is also learnt. It is a large team game played between two teams, kīoma and taniwha on a large circular field. Played for four quarters or two halves of a set time, the teams alternate roles of kioma and taniwha at half or quarter time.

“Not many sports have stories associated with them about how they were created, so this makes the game very unique and a great asset for the learning and development of students,” adds Amber. 

“We were also thrilled to have mana whenua at this year’s event in the morning to share valuable history about the whenua (land) with the tamariki.”

Participating teachers said the tournament delivered valuable learning opportunities for the students.

“It was amazing being able to witness our tamariki play this traditional Māori game and progress the use of Te Reo Māori outside the classroom,” said one teacher.

This year’s participating schools included Jireh Christian School, Glenavon School, Green Bay Primary School, Waterview Primary School, Avondale Primary School and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi. The funding for the event is made possible from the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa fund, which provides funding for programmes or projects delivering play, active recreation and sport experiences for tamariki and rangatahi.

Article added: Monday 26 July 2021