2020 Ki o Rahi - What's ahead?

Ki o Rahi

It feels like it has been a long time!

With covid-19 hitting Aotearoa, we went into shutdown mode, focusing on what really matters to us - our loved ones, whanau and friends. We checked in on our neighbours, we cooked more and we attacked projects we had been meaning to do for years.

Lockdown was difficult for some and enjoyable for others, through it all we missed our beloved Ki o Rahi, we reflected and realised that this game means so much to us, it helps us to explore Te Ao Maori and it connects us to so many other people within the community and around the country.

Many people we’ve spoken to were heartbroken about missing out on the Secondary School Ki o Rahi Nationals, and I really believe it is because of the whanaungatanga (relationship building) experienced there, seeing old friends and making new ones.

The correct decision was made to cancel the event, so shout out to the roopu (group) from Te Tai Tokerau for their strength and foresight. We assume that the tournament will be held in Waitangi again in 2021 as we all missed out on a chance to visit the North and the organisers will be ready and willing to go, I guess we will hear more about this over the upcoming months.

Not only was Ki o Rahi Nationals cancelled, but the NZ Area Schools Tournament was cancelled and other National sporting events like Waka Ama and Kapa Haka were also cancelled, these are huge events that our schools really look forward to, they break up the school year and give students different things outside of education to work towards.

Fortunately though, for most of us around the country our regional Ki o Rahi tournaments have been given the green light to go ahead, so as you work away on your assessments and exams you can also start preparations for these.

Today we thought we would look ahead to what is to come, you can click on each of the events to be taken to further information.

TERM 3, 2020:

24th July 2020 - Waitaha Matariki Ki o Rahi Tournament

28th July 2020 - Murihiku Secondary School Ki o Rahi Regionals

9th September 2020 - Taranaki Secondary School Ki o Rahi Regionals

11th September 2020 - Te Tai Tokerau Secondary School Ki o Rahi Regionals

15th September 2020 - Koru Games Ki o Rahi Tournament

18th September 2020 - Waitaha Secondary School Ki o Rahi Regionals

22nd September 2020 - Auckland Secondary School Ki o Rahi Regionals

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS:

10th October 2020 - Auckland Iwi of Origin Tournament

TERM 4, 2020:

21st October 2020 - Wellington Secondary School Ki o Rahi Regionals

28th October 2020 - Auckland Secondary School Junior Ki o Rahi Regionals

11th November 2020 - Wellington Secondary School Junior Ki o Rahi Regionals

17th November 2020 - Tasman Secondary School Junior Ki o Rahi Regionals

20th November 2020 - Waitaha Year 9 & 10 Whanaungatanga Ki o Rahi Tournament

16th - 20th November 2020 - Aoraki (South Canterbury) Year 7 - 10 Ki o Rahi Tournament (Date TBC)

16th - 20th November 2020 - Otago Junior Ki o Rahi Tournament (Date TBC)

There are a few new tournaments here on the calendar so if you’re interested in Ki o Rahi definitely do your part to find out a bit more about the tournament and really try and head along, you will enjoy it. You and your team will learn more by being involved and your skill, knowledge and passion will continue to grow.

Please keep checking back for more updates and if you or your organisation have any upcoming Ki o Rahi events please let us know here.