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Story: Traditional Māori games – ngā tākaro

Children diving

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Children diving

Diving, known as kōkiri or ruku, was a popular Māori pastime, and favourite diving spots were used for generations.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: Elsdon Best, Games and pastimes of the Maori. Wellington: Government Printer, 1925

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Ross Calman, Traditional Māori games – ngā tākaro – Water sports, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/39342/children-diving (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Ross Calman, published 30 November 2012.