Tū Mātau Ora

Rules of Ki o Rahi

There are many versions of Ki o Rahi rules, with game play ranging from touch, ripper, nonoke/tackle to full contact!

We will be adding a variety of rules so you can see the different ways our taonga can be played

Here’s 2017 version from College Sport Wgtn. Lots of great rules to keep players safe while allowing for creativity and flare.

Ki o Rahi Tapu Te Ranga

The following are the ture rules for Wellington City’s first ever Kī o Rahi module.

Reminder that the focus is on whanaungatanga, manaaki, kaitiaki, and fun. We are helping to revitalise and normalise

Kioma play

Kioma start the kēmu/game by passing or kicking the Ki/ball from Te Marama into a Kaitiaki player in Te Motu. Kaitiaki then pass the Ki out to one of their team in Te Ao.

Kioma scoring

Kioma scoring is a 2 stage process:

1. Kioma players can run with or pass the Ki.  Kioma must touch 1-7 Pou with the Ki to accumulate 1-7 potential points (If the same pou is touched it is not added, and It will not reset the pou count).

2. A Kioma player must then run the Ki from Te Ao, through Te Roto (with both rippers on) and place the Ki down in Te Motu, to convert 1-7 Pou touches into point/s. When Kioma scores, the kēmu is restarted by Kioma from Te Marama.

Pou count is reset to zero if;

• Taniwha gain possession of the Ki 
• If the Ki touches the Tupu or a Kaitiaki in Te Wairua
• Out of bounds by Kioma
• Penalty by Kioma player – such as fending, not demonstrating good sportsperson conduct, early ripping etc
• Kioma player enters Te Roto:
• Without the Ki, 
• Without both tags on correctly
• Passing or dropping the Ki in Te Roto
• Getting ripped while in Te Roto
  

ALL of the above will also be a handover possession of the Ki to the opposing team.

Kioma defence

• Stop Taniwha hitting the Tupu with the Ki 
• 2x Kaitiaki players guarding the Tupu, (encourage 1x Kōtiro/girl & 1x Tama boy)
• Kaitiaki are NOT allowed to touch the Tupu, OR be in Te Wairua.   
  • One warning will be given then, 1x point may be awarded to the opposing team for future breaches.

Kioma Zones

• Kioma are allowed in Te Ao at all times  
• In Te Roto and Pawero – ONLY when they have the Ki attempting to convert Pou touches
• Only 2 Kaitaki are allowed in Pawero
• Te Ara   – (Players may retrieve and pass the Ki from Te Ara and use it as a path between Te Ao and Te Motu but can not run the Ki through here)

Taniwha play

• 4x players in Te Roto (encourage 2x Kōtiro 2x Tama)
• Remaining Taniwha players are in Te Ao
• They can run with or pass the Ki  
• Taniwha score by hitting the Tupu with the Ki
• Play continues when Taniwha scores         
• Taniwha can hit the Tupu as many times as they can
• They must shoot the Ki within 5 seconds (or it is a handover)

Taniwha Scoring 

• Taniwha get 1x point each time they hit the tupu with the Ki
• Taniwha must shoot the Ki within 5 seconds (or it is a handover)
• 1x point may be awarded for a Kaitaki breach (touch the Tupu or entering Te Wairua)

Taniwha defence

• Intercept the Ki
• Rip the Kioma players in possession of the kī before they touch a pou 
• Rip Kioma before while they are attempting to convert Pou touches
• Pressure Kioma to create a turn over

Taniwha Zones

• Taniwha are allowed in Te Ao at all times
• Te Roto (maximum 4 players only) at all times
• Taniwha must NOT cross Te Ara during play, they may run around it
• Taniwha can exit Te Roto and have as many players in Te Ao as they want
• Taniwha must not enter Te Motu/Pawero zone (unless using Tūrangawaewae – both feet remain grounded in your legal zones)
• NEVER  in Te Ara 

Ripper Tags

• Tags MUST be positioned on both hips – (NO clothing etc is allowed to interfere with ripping, i.e. No clothing to be worn over the belts and tags)
• All players are out of play if both tags are not on properly 
• You can NOT affect play unless both tags are on properly on attack or defence 
• No early or late ripping of tags

If a player does any of the above a handover may be awarded. 

• Ripping tag(s) off an opposing player who is in another zone is allowed as long as the person ripping remains on-side (Tūrangawaewae)

General Play 

• We encourage POSITIVE Kōrero, Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga of everyone, the equipment and our environment
• Please respect and support our ref’s, their decision is final 
• If you would like to record the score/points of your game we request each team/school keep their own score 
• When handover is called, please either put the Ki/ball straight down on the ground or pass to the nearest opposing player

Player safety

• No fending No holding No pushing No shoulder charging or running directly into people     No obstructing or screening  No deliberate body contact while attempting to rip – repeated infringements may result in player conduct –
• No kicking the Ki unless to kickstart from Te Marama or to defend the Tupu
• No flipping in while diving to score
• Appropriate footwear please – NO metal studs

If any of the above offenses are repeated, the player may be asked to sub-out for a period of time or be replaced.

Handovers

• When a player is offside
• Kioma players running into Te Roto and getting a tag ripped, runs out, passes or drops the Kai while in Te Roto
• When exceeding the 5 second shot clock for Taniwha and the 5 seconds for Kaitiaki to throw the Ki
• Out of bounds
• If you hold the Ki for more than 3 seconds after being ripped
• Any penalty play – player conduct (please refer to ‘Player Safety)
• Any ripper violation (please refer to ‘Ripper Tags’)

Times

• Taniwha has 5 seconds to shoot at the Tupu
• Kaitiaki have 5 seconds to pass out to their teammates in Te Ao 
• EVERYONE has 3 seconds to pass when their tag has been ripped

Reminder

• The kaupapa is about coming together and having some fun celebrating Ki o Rahi 
• This is a friendly event, players and supporters are expected to act in a way that upholds the mana and the mauri of our taonga tākaro and also promotes the uara/values of your kura.
• 8 players per team on the field at a time (4x Tama and 4x Kōtiro) 
• Substitutions will be allowed, players must swap tags off the field to substitute
• Please be ready at the field 5 minutes before game time
• Games will be played in quarter of up to 6 minutes. With 2 minutes between halves and 30 seconds between quarters.
• Again the kaiwawao decision is final. Please respect and support our student ref’s who are taking time to share their expertise and help develop the game of Ki o Rahi in our region.
  
• These rules have been designed to help learn the foundations and build towards college and national rules. 

• Please ensure your kura have looked at the pūrākau legend of Ki o Rahi Please see the Pūrākau here:  https://tumatauora.org/toanga-takaro/the-purakau-of-rahitutakahina/
  
• We are very keen for any feedback and welcome your thoughts and comments regarding our organisation Tū Mātau Ora, the Have a go rā/day and the Ki o Rahi kaupapa in general.