Aces high at provincial champs

Okaihau College successfully defended the NSSSA (Northland Secondary Schools Sports Association) Ki o Rahi title in Kaikohe on Friday.

The consecutive titles gave Okaihau the Mauri Taonga, the provincial title trophy, while the Mid North kura’s dominance in the traditional sport was evident in picking up the Division 2 title as well at Friday’s event.

An estimated 200-plus players took part across two divisions at the provincial champs on Friday. The Div I winners gained qualification to represent Tai Tokerau at the nationals at Waitangi in April 2020, while Div 2 was designed to help teams build on their experience and get a taste of the competition at a regional level.

Okaihau is currently the caretaker of Te Mauri, the national secondary schools trophy/ taonga, as Te Tai Tokerau gears up to host the 2020 secondary schools nationals at Waitangi next year (the host rohe looks after Te Mauri until it is taken by the following year’s host).

Te Tai Tokerau was represented by Te Kura Kaupapa Maori and Okaihau at the 2019 secondary schools nationals in Heretaunga earlier this year. RESULTS. Division 1: Okaihau College 1, Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ori o Kaikohe 2, Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ori o Taumarere 3, Bay of Islands College 4, Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ori o Pukemiro 5, Kerikeri High School 6, Whanga¯rei Girls’ High School/ Whanga¯rei Boys’ High School Combined 7, Northland College 8, Te Kura Taumata o Panguru 9, Mangakahia Area School

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Division 2, Taumarere Pool): Okaihau College 1, Te Ka¯pehu Whetu¯ 2, Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ori o Taumarere 3, Northland College 4, Opononi Area School 5; Hokianga Pool: Springbank School 1, Dargaville High School 2, Bay of Islands College 3, Mangakahia Area School

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PICTURE / DEBBIE BEADLE Tyreece Stevens from Northland College takes aim in the Div 2 match against Te Kapehu Whetu Kura at the Northland secondary schools regional ki-o-rahi championships in Kaikohe on Friday.