Playing Like Our Tīpuna: Kī o Rahi’s Place at UC

Image by Feri Tasos on Unsplash.

If you’ve ever played Kī o Rahi, you know it’s not just another ball game. For some, it’s fast, physical fun. For others, it’s a connection to whakapapa, pūrākau and a way of keeping mātauraka Māori alive.

UC Rec & Sport planned to run Kī o Rahi as a new social sport this semester, the first time offered to all students. Things didn’t go quite to plan.

Steph Borell, from UC Rec & Sport, says including it was part of a push to grow sports beyond the usual suspects.

“This has been part of Te Rātonga Hākinakina | UC Rec & Sport’s commitment to growing our social sport portfolio that includes up-and-coming and indigenous sports such as Kī o Rahi.”

The goal: get students playing, then build momentum.

“There’s always a goal that our student community will participate in every sport we have on offer, including Kī o Rahi. Another goal is to figure out how to make it better and eventually have this kaupapa become as popular as our other leagues.”

Building Space for Taoka Tākaro

The enthusiasm was there, but so was a hurdle.

“With Kī o Rahi being a growing sport in Waitaha, it’s possible too many options could cause a clash in the sporting calendar. Especially when growth requires awareness to build participation numbers.”

The clash? A community competition running at the same time. For a sport still building awareness, splitting the player base isn’t ideal.

“It’s also an opportunity for our department to learn of, and adjust to, current Kī o Rahi events and initiatives, as we would any other sport.”

Borell is hopeful it was a one-off, but knows cultural shifts take time. “Some kaupapa need time to grow and a willingness from us to stick it out as much as possible.”

Why the Kaupapa Matters

Jacob Ahuriri-Budgen, a director for Te Rahi ā Māui, says Kī o Rahi’s value on campus is deeper than adding another sport.

“It’s an opportunity to connect to mātauraka Māori in an active way. For some students, it’s also about reconnecting to whakapapa, to stories, and to ways of playing that have been around for generations.”

“It’s also about carrying those traditions forward so they live on, adapting to new spaces like UC while holding onto the heart of what makes them special.”

For non-Māori students, it’s also an invitation.

“It’s open to everyone. You don’t have to be Māori to play. What matters is the respect for the tikanga around it and the willingness to learn the story before you start.”

The pūrākau, the story of Rahi and Tī Ara, is inseparable from the game. It’s not just a warm-up; it’s the foundation of why Kī o Rahi exists.

Arawhata to Understanding

Borell said some students understand the deeper significance, but there’s room to grow.
“Some students may not be aware yet. Some within our Māori community are yet to know as well. I’d like to think of the ‘gap’ for anyone as being in te kore, the potential space.”

“There’s potential to grow the knowledge of Kī o Rahi’s significance and it’s up to us that have the knowledge to share it.”

Ahuriri-Budgen agrees visibility is key. The more students see it, the more it will become part of UC’s sporting life. That’s why Te Rahi ā Māui works closely with schools, communities and now universities.

The Path Ki Mua

While the league couldn’t go ahead this semester, Borell says the excitement remains.

“As long as we’re willing to keep it going and keep a space for it when our students are ready to engage, then the excitement can come back.”

Her vision for the future is making Kī o Rahi a lasting part of campus life.

“A full league, no injuries and our student, staff and wider UC community having a meke time doing something a little bit different. Spread the word whānau!”

Ahuriri-Budgen added the sport already has big things coming in Waitaha

“Nationals are being held here next year. That’s a huge opportunity for students to see the sport played at a high level and get inspired to give it a go.”

 Mind you, you don’t have to wait for UC to run a league.

“There are opportunities year-round. Just check out the Kī o Rahi ki Waitaha Facebook page. There’s training, tournaments, and community events anyone can jump into.”

He Take Nui mō UC 

For a university that talks about bicultural competence and Te Tiriti partnership, having taoka tākaro like Kī o Rahi on campus isn’t just a nice extra, it’s part of walking the talk.

As Ahuriri-Budgen puts it: “We share this taoka together. It’s about connection, respect, and bringing Māori culture into everyday life.”