The tournament took place on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th August, at Te Wharekura O Rākaumangamanga School, in Huntly.

Koewyn (Year 12) represented New Zealand Secondary Schools in Ki-o-rahi, in the first 'Mantis Taumata Tournament' which included 8 teams: Pasifika Invitational, Aotearoa Whānui, New Zealand Area Schools, Aotearoa Māorí, Te Aho Matua, Ngā Kura Ā Iwi, New Zealand Invitational and New Zealand Secondary Schools.

The New Zealand Secondary Schools' team played Pasifika Invitational in their first game, winning a tight match 14-10. In their second game with all the cobwebs blown away they convincingly won their fixture against NZ Area Schools 31-3. In their final game on Day 1 they played a strong Ngā Kura Ā Iwi side who were also undefeated after two games. NZSS were down by one point at half time, 6-5, but managed to gain dominance in the second half winning the game 11-7, going into day two undefeated.

At the start of Day Two of the Mantis Taumata Tournament, New Zealand Secondary Schools were in the top 4 pool crossovers which put them up against Te Aho Matua who were known as the underdogs of the tournament, having previously upset the New Zealand Invitational and Aotearoa Māori team on Day 1. In a strong first quarter, New Zealand Secondary Schools put first points on the board making it a 5-1 lead. Knowing Te Aho Matua would be a challenge, they clawed their way back to make it a good final quarter. However, the New Zealand Secondary Schools' team stayed composed winning 13-11.

This put the New Zealand Secondary Schools' team through to the final against New Zealand Invitational in another close game, with the NZSS team winning the tournament with a 12-7 win.

Houkura Lunjevich (Year 12) also played in this tournament, representing Aotearoa Whānui, who placed 6th overall, losing their 5th/6th playoff game to Aotearoa Māori.

Overall the tournament was a success, and all players will now look forward to their local, regional and National schools' tournaments over the next 12 months.