Ki o Rahi tournament 2011

25 teams from 20 schools descended upon the Trusts Stadium to compete for the title of Ki o Rahi School Champions of 2011. Ki o Rahi is a traditional Māori game and is gaining huge popularity throughout Auckland and New Zealand. 2 grades, Intermediate and Secondary School, were fought for in the competition which has grown from 8 schools in 2009 to one of the signature events during the Auckland Matariki Festival.

Due to the torrential downpour the night before the competition, some last minute changes were made which meant the secondary school students played on the fields outside the stadium and the intermediate students used the courts inside the stadium. There were also a number of interactive workshops including traditional Māori games, Rāranga (flax weaving), Tāonga puoro (Traditional Musical instruments) and taniko (weaving).

Festival organiser Wiremu Mato, from He Oranga Poutama / Sport Waitakere was thrilled with how the day went. "Ït's awesome to see so many people embracing Matariki through traditional Māori physical activity. Ki o Rahi is certainly the main attraction but having these other activities for people to participate in just adds to the significance of the Festival".

Big ups to Hoani Waititi who beat Glenfield College 7-6 in the final of the secondary school Ki o Rahi grade and Nga Tapuwae were victors over Glenfield Intermediate 13-8 in the Intermediate Grade. Schools have already started booking their places for next years competition.

Hoping they can both make the nationals in 2012