Tis’ the eve of the 2024 National Secondary School Kī-o-Rahi Nationals, 36 schools from around Aotearoa converge on Tūranganui-a-Kiwa (Gisborne).

Secondary School Nationals are still the biggest event on the Kī-o-Rahi calendar, they have been running since 2010 and have grown massively in numbers over the last few years and with the assistance of Live Streaming we are starting to reach even more communities around the country.

Though the tournament has been running since 2010, only a small group of schools can call themselves champions, they are: UAWA (Tolaga Bay), Tūranga Wāhine Tūranga Tāne, Rakaumangamanga, Ritana Toa, Hamilton Boys and Girls, Ngā Tapuwae and 2023 champions Westlake Boys and Girls.

The small number of champions can be put down to Rakaumanga and Ngā Tapuwae winning three times and Tūranga Wāhine Tūranga Tāne and Covid winning the tournament twice.

Every team dreams of holding that trophy at that end of that final day, but there will only be one. We thought we would take a look at the pools and see who are likely to be there or thereabouts come Friday afternoon.

Teams that will be hard to beat:

WESTLAKE BOYS AND GIRLS

A quick look back at the placings from 2023 reminds us that Westlake Boys and Girls entered Nationals for the first time in 2023 and were able to become champions on their first go. This has to give new schools a lot of confidence coming in. The 2023 champions will be hard to beat again this year, having secured the Senior and Junior Titles in the large region of Tāmaki Makaurau in 2023.

HAMILTON BOYS AND GIRLS

2016 National Champions and current Waikato regional champions, Hamilton Boys and Girls will be looking to improve on their 7th equal placing from 2023. Waikato is arguably the strongest region for Kī-o-Rahi, when you can beat teams like Te Kuiti, Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere, Ngā Taiatea and 3 x champions Te Wharekura o Rakaumangamanga at regional level you know you are well prepared for Nationals.

Tuuranga waahine tuuranga taane

Last year’s runner up, I can’t remember a year when TWTT haven’t been a tough team to beat. These guys don’t take a backward step and will be looking to go one better this year. Back at home and with support of whānau they very well could add a third championship in 2024. We are picking they would have had that Westlake style of play at the forefront of their preparations and will be looking forward to a potential re-match.

TE wharekura o rakaumangamanga

Not much needs to be said about this Kura, three time champs, multiple time finalists. Although they finished out of the Top 8 at 2023 Nationals for perhaps their first time, it was only due to an overtime loss to long time rivals Ngā Tapuwae in their quarter final. They also didn’t make the final at the Waikato Regionals, but you never count these guys out. Sometimes it is nice to go in without as much attention as usual. They’ll be very good again.

TEAMS To watch out for:

TE KUITI HIGH

3rd equal in 2023, runners-up at Waikato Regionals to Hamilton Boys and Girls. Te Kuiti has progressed incrementally every year and 2023 was the best ever placing. They know what it takes to make that Top 4 and would have learned from last year what they need to do to make that final. A well coached side, you will need to be on your game when going up against Te Kuiti.

TE KAOKAOROA O PAATetere

Although the results show Kaokaoroa attended their first Senior Nationals in 2023, they have been building by playing in Junior National and Matariki tournaments over the past few years. Another well coached side, to finish 3rd equal at their first Nationals shows they go good. Like Te Kuiti they would have learned what they needed and will be looking to push into that Grand Final. They will have to get past regional rivals Te Kuiti, Hamilton Boys and Rakaumangamanga or meet them in the final if they’re going to raise that taonga.

TE KURA MATUA O WAINUIOMATA

The most travelled team in the country. Te Kura Matua o Wainuiomata don’t wait around for Kī-o-Rahi to come to them, they run modules, they run tournaments and they take their teams to small towns and big cities across the country in order to build on their team’s strengths and lessen their weaknesses. It seems a passionate, dedicated coach is a common them amongst strong teams and Te Kura Matua o Wainuiomata are no different.

Toughest pool:

MAHAKI

If you’re looking to watch some strong games, this is the pool to watch. There are 4 regional champions in this pool and the two won’t back down. Whilst having a tough pool makes moving to the top 16 much more difficult, you know if you’ve finished in the top 2 of your pool that you’ve been tested and will go through to the next stage a lot more hardened than other teams.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAMS

Although you may not have been mentioned in this blog, it doesn’t count you out. The greatness of Kī-o-Rahi is that anyone can win at any point, there have been many upsets over the years with new kura or small kura defeating much larger or more experienced kura. Play hard, play fair, treat the referees well and they will look after you. Kia kaha koutou!

2024 Manarahi Kī-o-Rahi Secondary School Nationals Preview