Where in the US is Ki-o-Rahi played?

Answer 1

The game originates from the south pacific islands called New Zealand. The game of Ki-o-Rahi is a very fast game with a heap of action and the necessary advantage is to have high intelligence because the game situations change so rapidly and it is necessary to be a thinker who can quickly evaluate the rapid game situations. That is the main reason the US curriculum directors here have used the New Zealand game in our education of junior children, because the game promotes problem solving and group co-operation. The game also enables children of all abilities to express movement in so many different ways. The game utilizes all types of ball skills and physical movement. From all accounts these characteristics of the game are beneficial in that they transfer to other areas of childrens education such as in the classroom. There are schools all over our country who play Ki-o-Rahi. It is for the under 12s at the moment in 31,000 schools. An exciting report we have received from the largest European kite festival in Dieppe is that the first international took part between France and Maori mens teams from New Zealand. France won by nineteen points to seventeen we hear. The New Zealand Maoris won the previous two games though in combined men and women games against French opponents. The French mens team are called Les Papys du Ki-o-Rahi and they have created their own ki-o-Rahi culture since they were taught the game by Maori soldiers of WWII. The reason why the game was played at the kite festival was because the game is associated in Maori traditions with kite flying. A Ki-o-Rahi field was marked out at the Dieppe festival in the middle of the International kite arena. Traditionally Ki-o-Rahi games are started with a large kite flying over the Ki-o-rahi field and dropping the round ball that is used to play the game onto the Ki-o-Rahi field. Each quarter of the game is also started with a kite ball drop. This tradition has not been used here in our country yet as far as I know but it opens up huge possibilities in the development of Ki-o-Rahi in our own coutry.Perhaps like the French we will deviate from the traditional way of playing that the Maoris have taken to the world and develop our own style of play with new rules. Ki-o-Rahi has definitely added another dimension to my teaching. My juniors love the game and can't wait to play it whenever they get the chance. They have so much fun playing it. It is a very very popular game. It is very much a game that promotes thinking in children and group co-operation and strategizing. It is unique dynamically also in that it is played in an inclusive circular field of play. I sing the games praises because i can see the positive influences it has on my students and in my teaching.