A local youth team mounted a successful defence of the Iwi of Origin Trophy in Auckland last month.
The Tuturu side - one of two Far North teams in the event - made a hard fought path to the final where it came up against Pukaki, which consisted of talented NZ Kiwi Tag players.
Tuturu spokesman Paulette Lewis, acknowledging this news was a tad belated, noted the skill on both sides was very evenly matched, so it was knowledge of the game which led to an advantage for the Tuturu team in winning the final 17-11.
"The purpose of the trip was to continue the development of ki o rahi, defend the trophy the team had secured the previous year and to strengthen the relationships formed through the introduction of the game."
She noted both Tuturu and the Muriwhenua teams were made up of a mixture of talented players who have been involved in the work started in the Far North by herself and fellow ki o rahi exponent, Hailey Tobin, and included players committed to making a contribution towards the promotion physical activity through the medium of traditional Maori games.
"Through the development of the game, the numbers have grown and the Far North faction were fortunate enough to have two teams representing this year"
The results for the two teams in the Iwi of Origin, hosted by Sport Waitakere and Unitec, on October 19, were, Tuturu 15 Nga Hau e Wha 9, Muriwhenua 17 Pukaki 33, Tuturu 19 Pukaki 8, Nga Hau e Wha 9 Muriwhenua 23, and, Tuturu 21 Muriwhenua 14.
Players were Genie Harrison, Lilly Harrison, Jasmine, Xavier Broughton, Cheyne Tawhara, Jessica Parangi, Maraeatia Gardiner-Toi, Te Ruawai Herbert-Brown, Dajna Wetere, Hailey Tobin, Paulette Lewis, Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi, Whetu Rutene, Nopera Matthews, Wiremu Sarich, Toia Sarich, Paulo Montino, Alan Heighway, Raharuhi Fiaui, Jay Thomas, Peter Tatai-Ledger, Chaz Wetere and Anton Osbourne; and mascots Keahi Tobin and Corey-Leigh Tobin.
Members of the group have also been involved in other community work including making contributions to the development of the carved fields in Waitangi and running community games to help spread the knowledge of the games and continue to support whanau to be active.
The players are now looking forward to the next challenge for the Iwi Bowl ki o rahi tournament, which will be held in Waitangi in the new year.
In other ki-o-rahi news, everything is in place for the official opening of the recently established ki-o-rahi facility on Waitangi Domain next month with local and national dignitaries expected to attend the ceremony on Friday, December 6. More information regarding the event will feature in next week's edition.