On Friday 13th of September two Year 8 teams represented Hornby High School at the Uru Manuka Ki O Rahi competition hosted by Gilberthorpe School.

Ki O Rahi is an action-packed, fast, and strategic, game which has its origins in pre-European Aotearoa. Although it has been played by Iwi up and down Aotearoa for many years, it has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, and become a popular sport to compete in at school. Ki O Rahi was the focus for one of our Physical Education Hurumanu in Year 7 and 8 this year, and it has been a great platform to develop teamwork skills, strategic thinking and creative physical play.

Ki O Rahi is played on a large circular field, and the objective of the game is to score more points than the other team. Points are scored in different ways, depending on whether the team is playing a Kioma or Taniwha role, each team playing a different role for half the game. Kioma score by collecting pou (poles), and converting the accumulated pou to points by scoring a try. Taniwha score by throwing the ki (ball) at a centre target (tupu) defended by kaitiaki from the opposing team. There is a lot going on all at once in a game of Ki O Rahi, so competitors need to be quick and have their wits about them!

Our Year 8s braved the cold and windy weather on Friday afternoon to get active, compete against other schools, and help younger students from the cluster to develop their skills in this great game. Thanks to Katie Tozer for her efforts in pulling together the Hornby High School teams, and Andrew Wilkinson and Mel Raisin from Gilberthorpe School for making the tournament happen. What a wonderful way to finish Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori!