Ki-o-Rahi is a traditional pre-European Māori ball game. It is a fast running contact sport, played on a circular field, involving imaginative handling and swift inter passing of a "ki" (ball). Before the arrival of Europeans, Ki-o-Rahi was played by Māori throughout Aotearoa/New Zealand. Often different tribes would play different adaptations of the game.
A tribe which had especially strong and fit ball players among its members could sometimes be solicited for help by another tribe preparing for war. A messenger would present a "ki" or "poi" to the chief, which would represent an invitation to join the tribe in battle.
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