🏃 Play With Purpose
Traditional Māori games were more than entertainment — they developed skills needed for survival, taught cooperation and competition, and brought communities together. Many are still played today!
Skills Developed Through Play
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Observation
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Reflexes
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Coordination
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Strength
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Teamwork
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Strategy
🎮 Traditional Games
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Ti Rākau — Stick Games
Players pass sticks in rhythm to waiata (songs), building coordination and teamwork.
How to play:
- Sit in a circle with sticks
- Sing a waiata together
- Pass sticks to the right on the beat
- Add throws and catches as skill grows
🧶
Poi — Rhythmic Balls
Swinging weighted balls on strings in patterns, often accompanying waiata.
Skills developed:
- Hand-eye coordination
- Rhythm and timing
- Both hands equally strong
- Grace and performance
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Whai — String Figures
Creating patterns with string looped around fingers — like cat's cradle.
Significance:
- Stories told through patterns
- Fine motor skills
- Memory and sequence
- Passing knowledge between generations
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Horohopu — Dart Throwing
Throwing darts at a target — developed the accuracy needed for hunting and fishing.
Variations:
- Different distances
- Moving targets
- Team competitions
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Kokiri — Wrestling
Traditional wrestling to test strength and skill in controlled competition.
Values taught:
- Fair competition
- Respect for opponent
- Physical fitness
- Self-discipline
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Kī-o-Rahi
A fast team sport played with a woven ball — combines running, passing, and strategy.
The game:
- Two teams: Taniwha and Kīoma
- 7 players per team
- Circular field with zones
- Based on the legend of Rahi
🏆 Kī-o-Rahi — National Sport
A Game Revived
Kī-o-Rahi was nearly forgotten but has been revived and is now played in schools across Aotearoa. It combines elements of rugby, netball, and touch — and is based on a Māori legend!
- Fast-paced — continuous movement
- Inclusive — all ages and abilities can play
- Cultural — connects to traditional values
- Fun! — exciting for players and spectators
✏️ Activities
Activity: Learn Ti Rākau
Practice this simple ti rākau pattern:
- Sit in a circle with sticks (or rolled newspaper)
- Hold stick upright in front of you
- On "1" — tap floor
- On "2" — pass stick to right
- On "3" — catch stick from left
- Repeat! Add a waiata for rhythm.
What I enjoyed about this game:
👩🏫 Teacher Notes
Curriculum Links
- Health & PE: Movement skills, games
- Te Ao Māori: Traditional knowledge
- Music: Rhythm, waiata