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The Maori are indigenous people of New Zealand who came from Polynesia in the early 13th century . As fighting between tribes was common, the Maori people were focused on creating strong warriors. The Maori culture is still present in New Zealand today and children play many of the games that the warriors did once long ago... 

Whanowhano

This game was traditionally used for Toa (warrior) training. Leg speed and explosive power were essential for dodging strikes from attackers or moving into position to attack an opponent. This game also develops mental dexterity.

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  • 1v1 game

  • Players take turns saying “whano” and then they both jump as high as they can in the air. When they land, they can choose 1 of 4 positions: legs together, legs apart, right foot forward or left foot forward.

  • If players land in the same position, the first player to call out “HI” is awarded the point.

  • Can play for a certain amount of time or to a score

https://www.r2r.org.nz/games-activities-maori-youth/whanowhano.html

Manu Ti

This game is traditionally played where you try to snatch the feather from the opponents mouth. It was originally played to help improve reflexes, spatial awareness, reading an opponent's movements and body language, and enhance peripheral vision. A great way to warm up, have a laugh, and generally encourage participation and engagement.

 

  • Participants are wearing a headband around their head with a feather sticking out of it

  • Other person tries to snatch feather without hitting anyone’s head

  • Variation: can play as 1v1, teams or free for all

  • Go from moving feet to feet stationary

https://www.r2r.org.nz/games-activities-maori-youth/manu-ti.html

Poi Rakau - Taonga Takaro 

Also traditionally this game was for training warriors, mainly developing their spear skills. Rakau (stick, weapon, bat) were made from mako wood and sharpened.One person stood in the middle (pūtahi), surrounded by the throwers (tukunga) standing in a circle (wī).They were thrown point-on to the person in the pūtahi. On catching a rākau the warrior threw it at a person in the circle without a stick, who had to catch and throw it on.​

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Rules

  • All students will gather around in a circle and hold their Rakau

  • A person will call MATAU (right) & MAUI (left)

  • Each student will leave their stick and follow the direction being called out and move and catch the next stick besides them

    • ex) MATAU! (right) → student will leave there Rakau in an upright position and move quickly to catch the Rakau to their right

  • Every time a  Rakaus falls or the student was not able to catch the student is eliminated  until there is only a decided amount of players left

  • Each person must leave their Rakau in a nice upright position tobe considered a “good pass” unable to do so (where the other player has NO chance of getting to the rākau before it hits the ground). will also cause them to be eliminated

    • This discourages tossing the Rakau and forcing the next student to be eliminated

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3za22S4d-b8

https://www.r2r.org.nz/games-activities-maori-youth/poi-rakau.html

Tapu Ae - Taonga Takaro 

Fields were traditionally created and maintained to have a mound in the middle where this game would be played. Normally, this game is played with 5 a side minimum, so we have a few more, 8 per (or 2 courts going). This game is valued in developing a wide range of skills. Improves 1 and 2 hand passing, accuracy, catching, small target shooting, movement, communication and blocking skills. It is an adaptation of Ki o Rahi which was based on the legend of Ra-hi-tu-ta-kah-hina and the rescue of his wife, Tiara-ku-ra-pa-ke-wai.

 

Begin with static play - cannot run with the ball, defense must stay 3 feet (arms length).

Goal is to pass the Ki (ball) and knock down the Tupu (balls on cones). There are 4 positions: attackers, defenders, shooters and guardians.

  • Attackers stay in the middle zone and move the ball across each side. 

  • Defenders stay in the end zone (not in circle) and help to defend the Tupu.

  • Shooters are in the scoring zone (not in circle) and work together to knock down Tupu.

  • Guardians stay in the circle and protect the Tupu (only one per circle)

Game begins with a throw into the middle by ref. After Tupu is knocked down, ball goes to ref and there is another throw in.

https://www.r2r.org.nz/games-activities-maori-youth/tapu-ae.html

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