App to promote ki-o-rahi and te reo

MIXING TRADITION AND TECHNOLOGY: A new app has been launched to promote traditional Maori sports and te reo Maori. Kaiya Huata (above), of Nga Uri Maui, has the “ki” in hand while running towards a “pou” at this year’s Tairawhiti secondary school’s ki-o-rahi tournament. File picture

Ki-o-rahi has been a front-runner in the revival of traditional Maori games, especially in Tairawhiti.

The region has won and hosted numerous national ki-o-rahi tournaments, and now exponents of the game have given the thumbs up for a new app to further promote the sport and te reo Maori.

The Ministry of Maori Development (Te Puni Kokiri) has launched the first Maori language ki-o-rahi application called Puni Reo Ki-o-Rahi.

Designed by He Oranga Poutama and myReo Studios, the aim of the app is to activate traditional sports and te reo Maori through technology.

“This innovative tool is designed to bring a traditional Maori game that has been handed down over the centuries into our digital lives,” says Te Puni Kokiri senior adviser Eruera Lee-Morgan. “It makes using te reo Maori on the sports field easy, fun and accessible.”

“Puni Reo is one of the first language platforms to support an indigenous language in the world of sports, and the first to include an indigenous sport like ki-o-rahi.”

He also sees the app as a way of increasing the use of te reo Maori in everyday whanau activities.

“This app can help whanau use te reo Maori while participating in traditional and contemporary sports with the support of the latest technology.

“It activates the use of Maori language in the sports domain where so many of our people participate.”

Maori health provider Turanga Health has been instrumental in the revival of these games locally through its takaro tawhito (traditional games) programme.

Turanga Health has been teaching kemu, or games such as ki-o-rahi, for more than 10 years.

Among the team delivering the programme to primary schools is Shane Luke, who says the app is another great way of promoting the sport and te reo Maori.

“After downloading and going through the app, I think it is awesome,” he says. “It is an easy tool for anyone wanting to learn ki-o-rahi, or for anyone who is teaching or coaching ki-o-rahi.

“It’s also great for those learning te reo Maori, and can help to incorporate te reo in daily mahi (work), or activities.

“It is very easy to use and there are some neat little learning quizzes to help practice.”