New Zealand's first dedicated playing field for the traditional Maori ball game ki-o-rahi is rapidly nearing completion ahead of its Friday opening.
The field has been developed by Bay of Islands sports club Ki-o-rahi Akotanga Iho for public use and is part of a national revival of the fast-moving, full contact sport played on a circular field.
Located next to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and named Te Atarauarangihaeata, the field will be opened by Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia.
An associated Maori games park features picnic tables, flower gardens, seating, a kids' tree swing, a 200m tuwatawata [manuka fence] and a waharoa [gateway] donated by Paihia Primary School.
Ki-o-rahi Akotanga Iho president Harko Brown, of Kerikeri, said hundreds of supporters from the Bay of Islands, Kaitaia, Whangarei and Taipa had helped create the park.