Seven boys’ high schools from central North Island are participating in an inaugural competition that focuses on three traditional Māori sports: kī-o-rahi, horohopu, and waka ama.
Napier Boys’ High School was hosting the Super 8 Tākaro Māori tournament, an event that has taken nearly two years to stage.
Teacher Pohatu Paku said the event would normalise the use of Māori games in schools.
“He kaupapa tēnei kia kitea rawatia ngā āhuatanga o ngā tākaro Māori, kia noho mātāmua ko ēnei o ngā kaupapa i roto tonu i ēnei o ngā momo kura (This is an event to fully discover the elements of Māori sports so that these are among the main topics in these various schools).”
The Super 8 schools were eight boys’ high schools from central North Island cities – Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, and New Plymouth whose school couldn’t make the Tākaro Māori tournament. They would compete in 10 sports competitions including rugby, basketball, volleyball, and golf.
Now, adding traditional Māori games to the schedule has taken the spirit of competition to a new level with some of the students learning the ropes as they played.
“I would say the atmosphere would definitely be quite energetic,” said Napier Boys’ head boy Poutama Watson. “The boys are definitely going to wanna beat each other in the sports but it will also be quite exciting for the first time it’s happening.”
Hamilton Boys’ student Moeahu George said it was about making an effort and trying new things. “He uaua i te wā tuatahi, engari kei te pai, me ngana, koirā te mea nui, me ngana (It’s hard at first, but it’s all good, the main thing is giving it a go).”
There is more to just playing the games too, said Ihaka Rapira from Palmerston North Boys.
“Ko tētahi o ngā painga mōku kia kore e ngaro i ēnei taonga tuku iho otirā ngā pūrākau ki muri i ēnei kēmu (One of the things I like about it is not only to keep these taonga alive, but the stories behind the games too).”
Organisers hoped the event would be held annually and the growth of participants continue.
What is kī-o-rahi, horohopu and waka ama?
Kī-o-rahi is a mixture of attacking and defensive play where scoring is done by each team during phases of ball – or kī – possession by throwing it at the tupu, or post. It’s a fast-running sport played on a circular field that incorporates skills similar to rugby, netball and touch.
Horohopu is played using a poi with a long rope. The object of the game is to get the poi into the scoring zone through passing it from player to player.
Waka ama is outrigger canoe racing.
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