Taiwānanga Tū Toa had the honor of hosting this year's regional Ki O Rahi tournament. This was also open to all whānau and the wider community to come along and support the participants. The event was provided in a kaupapa Māori setting whereby a mihi whakatau was performed in the morning to welcome all teams from around the Manawatū and Horowhenua and concluded with a mihi poroākī (farewell) and karakia to conclude the tournament. This ensured a safe journey home for all who attended.
Fourteen teams from the Manawatū and Horowhenua participated in the regional tournament. Therefore, out of the fourteen teams that participated, four positions were allocated to the top four teams to go to the secondary schools Ki O Rahi national tournament which will be held in 2024. Palmerston North Boys’ High School combined with Palmerston North Girls High School and entered two teams into the regional tournament.
For most players, it was their first experience playing Ki O Rahi since Covid 19, therefore it was important to execute the basic rules of the game. The goal was to grow the game within the region and for players to develop their knowledge and skills so that they could become competitive teams. The players trained every Wednesdays and Fridays and there were also mini-modules held at Te Marae o Hine to promote the game and to develop and upskill players and teachers.
Both teams enjoyed the tournament which was one of the main goals of growing the game but needed to execute their way of playing and also understand the rules in order to win their games.
Despite one or two losses, both teams came away with new strategies and experienced a fast pace of Ki O Rahi that they have never played before. The players enjoyed the interaction with other schools, learning new strategies, and the values that are interwoven in the game such as Rangatiratanga, Kotahitanga, Manaakitanga, Tuakiritanga.
Congratulations to Dannevirke High School on their effort on winning the regions tournament, and best wishes to Taiwānanga Tū Toa, St Peter’s College and Manarua (Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mana Tamariki/Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tamaki Nui a Rua) who will be representing the Manawatu and Horowhenua regions at the secondary schools Ki O Rahi tournament in 2024.
The beauty of kaupapa Māori such as Ki O Rahi is you see various mātāpono or values naturally come into focus such as whanaungatanga(relationships), manaakitanga(hospitality), rangatiratanga(self-determination), tuakiritanga (identity and belonging). It is the kaupapa such as Ki O Rahi that encompasses these values which are also the foundations of any kaupapa Māori.
Thank you to Taiwānanga Tū Toa for hosting the event and to the following providers who supported this regional tournament: Whakapai Hauora, Sport Manawatū, Te Iwi o Rangitāne, Rangatahi 2 Rangatira and the Māori Teachers association. A special mention to Liam Bassick and Taimania Marsh for taking the time to coach the teams. Their efforts were very much appreciated.
