Room seven at Dargaville Primary School is enthusiastic about Ki-o-Rahi. Ki-o-Rahi was introduced to the school by Leela Hauraki (Sport Northland Lower North Kaiwhakahaere) and snice then, they have found enthusiasm levels were high considering they had never experienced the game before. As an inclusive game with roles for everyone, the whole class was eager to get involved. During term two, room 7 practised extensively to improve their knowledge, skills and understanding of the game. During term three, to build on students understanding, room seven decided to share the knowledge gained through tuakana/teina mentoring of another senior class.

Dargaville Primary’s Energizer Sarah Snowden, came along to the first tuakana/teina session in a supporting role. “As a new Energizer I was pleased to hear from room seven’s teacher Leanne Phillips and keen to get involved. Ki-o-Rahi encourages positive play, positive wairua and whanaungatanga so the basis of the game, along with the idea of students teaching students encompasses Ki-o-Rahi in that it is more than just about the game.”

Equipment for Ki-o-Rahi is varied, with people adapting what they currently have and repurposing items into Ki-o-Rahi equipment. At Dargaville Primary, they showcased this resourcefulness with the seven pou being made up from four tall, fluorescent orange road patrol markers and three fixed netball goal posts. They since have brought some specific Ki-o-Rahi balls, and are hoping to get lines marked out on their courts so that the game can continue to grow. Currently during term four, room seven is teaching another class the game and in no time we will have a whole senior syndicate participating in Ki-o-Rahi! This is great news as Ki-o-Rahi is a growing sport in Northland with many opportunities and tournaments opening up in the region – it would be great to see Dargaville Primary progress to sending teams to tournaments” says Snowden.

“The students really enjoyed learning a new game and all the skills that came with it; scoring tries, running with the ki, defending the ki and the tupu, ripping the tags off the opponents and being a team leader.  From their practise, the students were able to learn different techniques and skills on how to play the game effectively and work successfully as a team” – Leanne Phillips, room seven Teacher.

Ki-o-Rahi is a large team game played between two teams, Kīoma and Taniwha on a large circular field. Played for four quarters or two halves of a set time, the team’s alternate roles of Kīoma and Taniwha at half or quarter time. Kīoma score by touching Pou/s with the Kī (for potential points) then running the Kī through Te Roto and placing it down in Pawero to convert Pou touches into points. Kīoma stop the other team, Taniwha. Taniwha score by hitting the Tupu with the Kī. Kīoma will have Kaitiaki (guardians) around the Tupu to stop Taniwha from hitting the Tupu. Depending on which variation is being played, Taniwha must stop Kīoma from scoring by either touching, 2 handed touch, ripping the tag or tackling them in the appropriate area.

Tuakana/teina refers to the relationship between an older (tuakana) person and a younger (teina) person and is specific to teaching and learning.