The spirit of Matariki and Puanga was alive and well at Ōtautahi Christchurch’s Rāwhiti Domain on Friday morning as whānau, friends and community members came together for a vibrant celebration centred around the traditional Māori sport of Kī-o-Rahi.

It drew a diverse crowd eager to honour the Māori New Year through movement, connection and shared kai.

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Participants of all ages took to the field to play Kī-o-Rahi, a fast-paced and dynamic game that blends storytelling, te reo Māori and teamwork.

After the games, attendees gathered to enjoy kai together, sharing stories and laughter. The event was a celebration of Matariki and Puanga, showcasing community spirit and cultural connection - true whanaungatanga, epitomising the essence of what Matariki is all about.

Healthy Families Ōtautahi (HFŌ) Lead Systems Innovator Lawrence Tau is part of a collective driving the growth of Kī-o-Rahi.

“It was awesome to see so many people come together to celebrate Matariki and Puanga actively,” Tau says of Friday’s event.

“The aim was to bring together people from throughout the community and provide an opportunity to hono (connect), whakaaroaro (reflect), whakamana (celebrate).”

Through concepts such as tatū, the ability to negotiate rules and regional variations, Kī-o-Rahu challenges conventional beliefs about sport, offering an indigenous lens unique to Aotearoa New Zealand.

The sport is transforming relationships across generations and cultures by redistributing power through the centring of Māori knowledge and reshaping mental models to promote respect and understanding of indigenous perspectives.

In the long term, Kī-o-Rahi plays a vital role in improving physical activity and mental health outcomes, reducing pressure on the healthcare system. By increasing participation among young people, strengthening relationships with their whānau and communities, and building confidence and motivation, the sport’s growth signals a powerful shift towards holistic wellbeing and social cohesion.

Article added: Monday, June 23, 2025