Kī o rahi has been a fast-growing sport around the Mid North area through initiatives and people working together to provide opportunities and pathways for participation. 

Kī o rahi was first introduced into the Kaikohe Te Arahura Sports Day back in 2023 as a new sports code. The idea was initially proposed by Komene, Healthy Active Learning School Connector at Sport Northland, to one of the acting principals who was part of a group called COAL, who organise and coordinate events for the Mid North. The principal then presented it to the collective who agreed with kī o rahi being a part of the day. 

COAL, together with Komene then called upon the working group from the Kaikohe kī o rahi Module. This working group includes Gaylene Young (Tautoro Primary School), Ari Hippolite (Te Kura Kaupapa Māori ō Kaikohe), and the Igniting Potential in Rangatahi (IPIR) crew. The Kaikohe kī o rahi module was built off the back of the annual Tautoro School one day kī o rahi tournament. This day is now in its fourth year and was the entry point for this prestigious code to move into the Te Arahura Sports Day. The module is coordinated for a period of 8 weeks and caters to year 3-13, and whānau teams. The links into these other opportunities proved successful in the fruits that were produced at the Te Arahura Sports Day with a smooth-running day and plenty of schools entering this new initiative.

The initial relationship that has been built between the Tautoro kī o rahi tournaments and the Kaikohe kī o rahi module has established a working crew who came together at the Te Arahura Sports Day to ensure that the day operated well. There was a draw master, referees (from IPIR), meals (provided by the overall organisers), kī o rahi gear (sets and balls), prizes (Community Connect), and vital resources. 

Te Arahura 2024 saw kī o rahi with the most entries. We know that the Kaikohe kī o rahi module and the Tautoro kī o rahi Tournament had a significant influence on these entries due to the succession plan put in place by the collective working group – Tautoro Primary School, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori ō Kaikohe, Kaikohe Christian School, Community Connect, and the Igniting Potential In Rangatahi tamariki.  

The succession plan included pre-interschool tournaments held over two days in Tautoro during Term 2. Then, an 8-week non-competitive module was carried out in Term 3 that schools and whānau attended following the end of the school day on Friday afternoons. This plan is still alive today in 2025. There is an active event team (IPIR and school representatives) who mark the fields, coordinate the referees, complete the team draws/fixtures weekly, MC, set up and pack down,  whānau volunteers who cater, and sponsors who are businesses or organisations that help contribute to all kī o rahi events. 

Schools who entered ki o rahi for the second time in 2024 said that they thoroughly enjoy this sport because of the inclusivity and that they can all play a part in the game. Tamariki also feel confident that they can play this game due to the lead-up opportunities before Te Arahura comes around.  

Looking to the future, the plan is to ensure that the kaupapa remains under the umbrella of AWHI. AWHI is a kaupapa that enhances the importance of ensuring that all players, referees, coaches, and managers are in a safe environment. The environment is one of respect, whānau orientated, working together in unity, and ensuring that everyone's integrity is protected. If we stay true to the kaupapa, this will ensure that kī o rahi will remain as a code for many years to come. Furthermore, the kaupapa has been set for the next five years including more local businesses coming onboard to support and influence more awareness around the game. The Kaikohe Module will look to feed into the regional spaces, whānau, and the re-indigenizing of Māori culture and identity through this Māori sport. Lastly, this kaupapa seeks to remain as a non-competitive competition that aims to allow for a safe space for all. 

If you can, join in! The Tautoro Tournament is taking place on Wednesday 11 June 2025 (Year 5&6) and Thursday 12 June (Year 7&8), and the Kaikohe Module Series kicks off in Term 3 on Friday nights from 25 July to 12 September. Look out for the 2025 Te Arahura event (date TBC). 

Article written by Komene Marino, Healthy Active Learning School Connector