An ancient ball game, ki o rahi, is to get its first international match.
Coach Harko Brown says networks are springing up around New Zealand to play "ki o rahi", which uses a circular field. Waatea News reports it involves imaginative handling and swift passing of the ki or ball.
Brown says a team from New Zealand will play France in Paris next year.
He says the invitation arose from an exhibition game when he took students from Kerikeri High School to an international kite festival in Dieppe in 2006.
Players are working towards the event.
