Our combined HBHS and HGHS Ki-O-Rahi team has won the right to represent the region at the National Championships. Thank you to HGHS Deputy Principal Matua Toti West for this article and photographs.

For the first time, HBHS and HGHS entered two teams at the Tainui region Kī-o-Rahi tournament, with our premier team taking top position.

Kī-o-Rahi, a game that requires the participation of both male and female players, is a growing sport at both HBHS and HGHS who have joined forces for many years now.

Off the back of a successful 2021 season, Kī-o-Rahi was well-supported this year by a team of four dedicated coaches. We had over 50 students trial for 32 positions amongst two teams. The talent that showed an interest to play was amazing!

Tournament day saw ten teams taking part. Our players did us proud, with our development team winning 6th place overall, and our premier team taking out the final 29-12 against 2021 national silver medalists, Te Wharekura o Rākaumanga.

The future of the sport is bright with our younger players stepping up amidst some much older and more experienced opposition. Our Kio players now look forward to preparing for the National Tournament in June.

A huge thank you to our coaching team, made up of alumni and whānau of both schools. Without their support, this great achievement would not have been possible.

• Raynard Haggie (HBHS Old Boy)
• Diamond Henry (HGHS Old Girl)
• Heremia Samson (whānau of both schools)
• Kena Rangi (whānau of HGHS)

Results

Round 1

HBHG Premier vs Tokoroa High School

Final score: 22 - 8 WON

HBHG Development vs Te Kūiti High School

Final score: 18 - 23 LOST

Round 2

HBHG Permier vs Ngā Taiātea Wharekura

Final score: 23 - 6 WON

HBHG Development vs Te Wharekura o Rākaumanga

Final score: 13 - 21 LOST

Round 3

HBHG Premier vs Te Wharekura o Te Rau Aroha

Final score: 52 - 7 WON

HBHG Development vs Tai Wānanga

Final score: 28 - 21 WON

Round 4

HBHG Development vs Te Wharekura o Maniapoto

Final score: 45 - 10 WON

HBHG Premier vs Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere

Final score: 46 - 9 WON

Final Rounds

Semi-final: HBHG Premier vs Te Kūiti High School

Final score: 32 - 19 WON

3v3: HBHG Development vs Tokoroa High School

Final score: 22 - 23 LOST

Final: HBHG Premier vs Te Wharekura o Rākaumanga

Final score: 29 - 12 WON