Sport + Motorsport
Southland is hosting the South Island's biggest Kī-o-Rahi tournament this weekend — and for the first time, it is not in Christchurch.
The South Island Kī-o-Rahi tournament lands at Bain Park in Invercargill today and tomorrow, September 25 and 26, drawing teams from across the South Island in what organisers say is the largest Kī-o-Rahi event ever staged in Southland.
Day one belongs to the secondary schools — around 19 to 20 teams expected on the field. Day two opens the competition up to under-16, under-19, open and masters grades. Two full days of fast-paced, circular-field action, and all of it on home soil.
Kī-o-Rahi is a traditional Māori game played between two teams on a circular field, rooted in the legend of Rahitūtakahina and his rescue of his wife Tīarakurapakewai. Quick, physical, and fiercely competitive.
The tournament is being driven by local organisation Kā Taoka I Tuku Iho, with Active Southland alongside them. Active Southland's Greg Houkamau said the push to bring the tournament south came directly from young people.
"Our young people have played a huge role in helping grow Kī-o-Rahi here," Houkamau said. "They told us they wanted to see it normalised in Southland, and this tournament is part of bringing that vision to life."
"We want this to feel like a true Southland event, competitive, fun, welcoming and full of community spirit. It is about giving our children, young people, families and communities an experience they can be proud of."
The off-field programme is substantial. Tonight's prizegiving moves to a local marae, and it doubles as the launch of an animated story resource developed with support from Southern Institute of Technology — young people contributed narration, design and creative input to the project. A DJ, MC, Māori and Pasifika vendors, a BBQ fundraiser, and space for families and community members to connect and watch round out the two days.
Barriers for travelling teams have been addressed head-on. Active Southland's Chloe Savage said cost was the deciding factor in making the event genuinely accessible.
"We know the cost of travel can be a real barrier for families and schools, especially when teams from Southland often have to travel elsewhere," Savage said. "Hosting this tournament here gives us a chance to show hospitality and make the experience as welcoming and affordable as we can."
Support from Y Southland and Splash Palace is helping cover accommodation, transport, breakfast and facility access for visiting teams.
The tournament runs at Bain Park, 11 Saturn Street, Invercargill — today and tomorrow. Southland has waited a long time for a tournament of this size. It has arrived.