While the attempts to fundraise for a trip to Ireland in July in support of an initiative promoting ki-o-rahi have come to nought, a Bay of Islands man said an entourage would still represent the Far North and New Zealand at the Donegal Gathering in Ramelton in July.
Harko Brown, who chairs the high-profile Ki-o-rahi Akotanga Iho club, said the lack of consideration given to his funding applications - to help with costs involved in sending a New Zealand team to the famous county to take part in this major sporting event - could only be regarded as an opportunity gone begging by the organisations he'd approached.
"Typical Irish have given us only a few months to mobilise, but we have some very passionate and resourceful members who are quite capable of organising New Zealand representation ... ," said Harko.
He noted the Irish trip would have been too much of a financial burden for his small Bay of Islands-based organisation to shoulder, having spent most its resources installing a fully carved ki-o-rahi field at Waitangi for public use last year. And while it was unlikely his ongoing search for funding will be met in time to help local players travel over for the event as hoped for earlier in the year [When Irish eyes are smiling, March 7, 2013], Harko confirmed he will travel over with his family in tow to support the Irish initiative.
"It'll be a big, big dent in finances but we feel obliged to help the Irish out, it's the least we can do," he said, adding the most important aspect of any kiwi entourage's visit would be to perform the Tuku Iho ceremony, an ancient ritual performed within a ki-o-rahi field involving kapa haka, a taiaha wero [challenge], and the handing-over of a ki [a woven flax ball], to symbolise the gifting of ki-o-rahi into the care of the Irish. Harko said already eight people have confirmed for the trip, some paying their own way, others able to source funding through their workplace.
"I managed to contact some friends in Ireland and London who will play for New Zealand if we can't get a full team from here," said Harko, adding he would continuing to pursue options in order to get a youth rep team to the event.
However, Harko was pleased to announce TVNZ had got the jump on Maori TV in gaining the rights by filming the first ever ki-o-rahi tournament to be played in the Emerald Isle. The station's liaison officer Sarah Stewart recently confirmed TVNZ's European correspondent Garth Bray and their London-based production team were ready to cover the ki-o-rahi aspect of games at the Donegal Gathering.
"This is an event of the highest cultural significance so we are privileged to cover such an important piece of our history - it is a real tribute to the vision of the Ramelton townsfolk to host the Maori game," said Stewart.
Ki-o-rahi has been given main event status at Donegal Gathering on a card featuring 20 other sports codes while the Irish organisers are determined to spread the traditional Maori ball game nationwide through their schools. The festival also includes a full conference of academic presentations at the Dave Gallaher International Summer School; features Otago lecturer Dr. Ihirangi Heke and associates presenting the philosophies, legends and rituals associated with Nga Taonga Takaro; while New Zealand rep players will demonstrate ki-o-rahi to get teams up to scratch on the rules of play before reffing and playing in the tournament itself.
The last day of the tournament was hoped to feature an international between New Zealand and France, currently first and second in world rankings. Harko noted the connection with Ramelton came about through Dave Gallaher, the 1905 All Black captain, who was born there and who combined with his Maori vice-captain, Billy Stead, to devise the devastating tactics that won them 34 out of 35 matches.
"Hence the locals desire to have a memorial and symbol of Maori-Irish co-operation emulated through the disseminating of ki-o-rahi on their shores," said Brown, noting the New Zealand entourage will be led by Verbina Kopa and Hailey Tobin, both Far North teachers who run ki-o-rahi school academies. They will also teach festival-goers how to make traditional ki and pikipotae [the games head-dress].