Tuwharetoa Secondary Schools Kiorahi Regionals - Nā Roera Hartley

Tongariro School - Tuesday 20th February 2024

A beautiful day to host the 10th annual Tuwharetoa Secondary Schools Kiorahi Regional Tournament at Tongariro School. The teams involved this year were Taupō-nui-a-Tia College, TKKM o Whakarewa I Te Reo Ki Tūwharetoa, Te Kura o Hirangi, and Tongariro School.

This was our smallest regionals for a long time but it was really good quality amongst all teams that competed.

Round 1 started off with Whakarewa vs Hirangi. The two teams that battled it out at last year’s regionals for 3rd and 4th with Hirangi coming away as victors in 2023. 2024 Whakarewa were determined to better their performance and came away with the tough victory winning 15-11.

Whakarewa 15 - Hirangi 11

Round 2 looked to see a repeat of last year’s finalist with Tongariro vs Taupō. Both teams with lots of new faces in their teams as their year 13s all finished. Taupō came out of the firing blocks early decimating Tongariro in this matchup winning 29-3.

Taupō 29 - Tongariro 3

Round 3 was our first of the town matchups with the battle of Tūrangi up. Tongariro vs Hirangi. Both teams coming off losses in their first games looking to make up for it in this game. Another close game with Tongariro finally waking up and showing their potential just beating Hirangi by 2 points winning 20-18. This sees Hirangi knocked out of finals contention and setting to compete in the 3rd vs 4th finals.

Tongariro 20 - Hirangi 18

Round 4 was the battle of Taupō. Whakarewa vs Taupō, both schools situated only across the road from each other eagerly waiting to get the victory on the other and claim bragging rights but also to get the advantage heading to the finals. Another close game with Taupō taking out the game winning 15-13. This saw Taupō qualify to the final on points with Whakarewa having to beat Tongariro in their last match to qualify for the finals.

Taupō 15 - Whakarewa 13

Round 5 saw Hirangi take on Taupō nui. Both teams already locked into their respective playoff matches this game was about Hirangi striving for their first win of the tournament against the heavily favoured Taupoō who are looking to keep their undefeated streak going. A close game heading right down to the wire with Hirangi claiming their first victory of the tournament against Taupo winning 15-14

Hirangi 15 - Taupō 14

Round 6 saw Tongariro take on Whakarewa in a match that will determine who qualifies for the final to take on Taupō. Tongariro looking to carry on their momentum from their earlier win against Hirangi and book a spot to avenge their 2023 loss against Taupō in the finals. Whakarewa coming off the loss against cross-town rivals looking to qualify for their first finals in 10 years! A back and forth game from both teams but Whakarewa came through with the clutch 4th quarter to beat Tongariro and book their place in the finals against Taupō winning 22-13.

Whakarewa 22 - Tongariro 13

3rd vs 4th playoff saw Hirangi take on Tongariro. Hirangi looking to finish their tournament on a high note and avenge their earlier loss against Tongariro. Tongariro looking to claim back-to-back wins vs Hirangi for the first time in a long time. Back-to-back wins were not able to be achieved with Hirangi avenging their earlier loss and finishing the tournament on a high winning 24-7.

Hirangi 24 - Tongariro 7

Our grand final for the day saw defending champions take on their neighbours Whakarewa in our first ever all Taupō final. Will it be Taupo going back to back for the first time since Whakarewa did it in 2013 and 2014 and also become the first school to win 3 Tūwharetoa titles or will it be Whakarewa to break the drought to claim victory and be the first school to win 3 Tūwharetoa titles?

The battle of Taupō was to be a decisive one with the first 3 quarters being close going into the final quarter tied up at 11 all. Taupō on Kioma for the final quarter where they were able to finally put it all together with a class performance to take victory and become the 2024 Tuwharetoa Champions winning 20-13.

Grand FInal: Taupō 20 - Whakarewa 13

Was an awesome day of kiorahi and showed that any of our Tūwharetoa teams could’ve taken it out on the day but there was to only be 1 winner so congratulations to Taupō for going back to back.

A huge thank you to all our kura for competing on the day, Whakarewa, Taupō, Hirangi and Tongariro. Thanks to Tongariro for once again letting us host the tournament at their school. A big thank you to the parents and teachers who took the time out of their day to help the teams and come support your kids and whānau.

Lastly thank you to Morehu for refereeing. We’ll be seeing Tūwharetoa well represented at Kīorahi Nationals 2024 in Gisborne Chur!

2024 Tūwharetoa Secondary School Kī-o-Rahi Regionals Results

Tuwharetoa Secondary Schools Kiorahi Regionals - Nā Roera Hartley