Tī Rākau: Māori Stick Passing to a Rhythm

Tī rākau is a Māori game from Aotearoa New Zealand in which players sit or kneel facing each other and pass sticks in time with a chant. It builds coordination, focus and trust in a partner.

How to play

1. Background and solo pattern: a stick in each hand, tap the floor, click the sticks together, upright tap forward, counting four (5 min).
2. Pairs seated face to face: after the pattern, toss the right stick upright to your partner's right hand (5 min).
3. Toss both sticks at once, right to right and left to left, on count four (5 min).
4. Each pair makes up a four-syllable chant and speeds up little by little (4 min).
5. Groups of four in a square: pass sticks diagonally or around and show your best sequence (6 min).

Rules

• Toss sticks upright and below shoulder height.
• Nobody tosses until their partner's hands are ready.
• If a stick drops, pick it up and rejoin on the next one.
• Keep a good meter between neighboring pairs.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with visual impairments: brightly taped sticks, handed across instead of tossed.
• Students with limited mobility: play from the wheelchair at a low table or with a standing partner.
• Hand injury: one stick in the healthy hand; the other keeps the beat on the thigh.

Learning goals

• Coordinate tosses and catches with a shared rhythm.
• Stay focused and trust your partner.
• Learn about a traditional Māori game and its purpose.

Equipment for a class of 25

• short sticks: 30

Teacher tip

It was traditionally used to train reflexes and dexterity. Rolled-up newspaper sticks about 40 cm long, wrapped in tape, work well and are safer than wood. Common mistake: tossing in an arc; the stick should travel upright.

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