The second day of Te Wiki Hākinakina saw over 40 wharekura compete in a thrilling Kī-Ō-Rahi tournament, showcasing sport, whanaungatanga and kōrero tuku iho.
“Ko te tino painga [o] tēnei kēmu, ka [whakawhanaunga] koe ki [ērā] atu kura, whakahoahoa hoki. He pai mō te tinana,” TKKM o Te Koutu student Rio Rio says.
“The best part of this game is connecting with the other schools and socialising. It’s [also] good for the body.”
Kī-Ō-Rahi is a traditional kēmu Māori that combines sport, culture and storytelling. The game is based onthe legend of Rahitutakahina and his quest to rescue his wife, Tiarakurapakewai.
Amber Tawhi of TKKM o Te Whānau Tahi coordinated the event, saying 60 teams had registered for the competition.
“Ko tēnei pea te pīkiwhara o te wiki nei, me te pai hoki o tēnei.
Ko te painga ia ka mauri tau te kaupapa, ka whakangahau pai ngā rangatahi, ka tūtakitaki tātau ki a tātau, e rere pai ai te rā.”
“This is probably the biggest event of the week, which is great. Hoping for a calm event, that the youth will be entertained, connect with one another and the day will run smoothly.”
The Kī-Ō-Rahi national secondary school competition, launched in 2010, has grown to include 35 kura in the latest senior competition.
TKKM o Te Waiū o Ngāti Porou and TKKM o Te Koutu, top contenders at the Manarahi national competition in April, were schools to watch out for.
“Tino pai te whakaharatau [i] ia wiki, te whakarite i a mātau ā-hinengaro nei, ā-wairua nei kia eke ki te tihi o angitū,” says Rio Rio of Te Koutu.
“The practices every week are good, preparing us mentally and spiritually so we can succeed.”
The junior teams of the two kura faced off in a tight, intense match, with Te Koutu winning 26-24.
“Nekeneke i te hope, [ruku] mō ngā piro. [Ki] au nei ko te mahi uaua rawa ko te arai i te tipu, nō te mea kei te haramai te pōro ki a koe,” says Parearau Rogers-Brooking of Te Waiū, who placed third at the Tupurahi junior national competition last month.
(Moving the hips, diving for the ball, diving for tries. I think the hardest thing is guarding the tipu (target) because the ball is flying towards you.)
In her final year at Te Waiū, tauira Hunta Thompson-Collins leads her team with a strategic approach.
“Ko tāku ko te kōrero me te taha taniwha. Inā he kaha tō taha taniwha, ka māmā ake te kēmu katoa.”
“I think communication and being taniwha - if you’re strong at taniwha the game will be easier for you.
“Kāre i te māharahara [mō] tō mātau tūnga. He kaha ngā tīma katoa, pirangi ngā tīma katoa [ki] te wini, [ki] te wikitōria. [He] rawe te rongo i te reo Māori e rere ana.”
“We’re not fussed over our placing. All of the teams are strong, they all want to win. It’s great to hear te reo Māori flowing as well.”
Te Waiū and Te Koutu’s tuakana teams met in the final - Te Waiū pulling away with a 40-32 victory.
However, the battle isn’t over yet, as these peers will meet again on the Hopu Ariki and Parakiore arenas tomorrow.
