This week Class 6 and 7 were fortunate learn the traditional Māori game Kī o Rahi. Nuku Ora, an independent body for physical activity in the greater Wellington region, provides PLD into schools and this workshop was run by Ness and Pita from Tū Mātau Ora. These two educators are currently working with Year 7 and 8 students at various Kāpiti schools to teach this kēmu. By Paul Fletcher & Ashley Gibbs.

Kī o Rahi is a unique, fast-paced, complex and exciting traditional Māori ball game. It was created as a way of resolving conflict between two neighbouring iwi without resorting to fighting. 

Kī o Rahi is set up like no other game. There is a central Tupu (big barrel target) surrounded by concentric circles and a ring of seven Pou (thin standing poles) which repreent the seven stars of Matariki. There are two teams, each of which are wearing belts with rip tags, the ‘Taniwha’ and the “Kioma”. They play with a small firm kī (ball), passing and throwing this to score points, either by hitting the tupu or touching the pou with the kī.

When Kī o Rahi is played the traditional way with top level althletes it is a contact sport with tackling allowed at any time in the game. Prior to Eurpean arrival in Aotearoa some iwi used this as one way of training and selecting their best warriors.

The school has had Kī o Rahi equipment in our sports shed for some time, but we have not had the expertise to be able to know how to use it. Ness and Pita from Tū Mātua Ora were the experts we needed to get this kēmu going at Te Rā!

While Ness ran warms ups with the rangatahi, Pita and Paul got busy creating the unique field of play with a giant rope compass and spray paint of differnt colours. In a very short time, with Pita's explanations, the relevance of the tikanga and imagery described the in the pūrākau (story) he told became clear as both classes quickly picked up the rules. The story made it much easier to grasp the rules.

Pita told us that, during World War II, Māori soldiers taught Kī o Rahi to solidiers of the French and Italian armies, and the there are many people in Eurpope who have been playing the sport since then. Pita recently returned from a Eurpean tour, playing Kī o Rahi against the French teams, and teaching the sport to schools in Europe, including a Waldorf school in Germany.

At the end of the session Pita told our Class 6 and 7 students that he had never before experienced a group pick up the game so quickly and work together as well. He followed this up with an email saying:

"I have been in many schools around the country and the world. Today's examples of teamwork and sharing, shown by the players was second to none and is exactly how Ki o Rahi, and any games, SHOULD be played. Mahi tahi, manaaki and tautoko were abundant and a real pleasure to see in action especially on the first day of learning”.

Wonderful feedback for our ākonga! 

Now we can begin practicing for an interschool Ki o Rahi tournament planned for Tuesday 4th April, where Class 7 and 8 students will get to demonstrate their impressive skills. It is always wonderful when someone who does not know the children as we do, recognises and appreciates the gifts they bring.

In the last week of term there will be an interschool tounament with all the schools coming together to share their new skills.  

A big thanks to Tū Mātau Ora and the Class 7 and 8 students. Rawe!!!!