A ball made of raupo flax with a cord attached.

Poi

Ko te poi tētahi o ngā toi whakaari a te Māori, ka mutu, he taonga iti te poi e whai here ana.

I a tātou ka whai whakaaro mō te poi, ka toko ake te whakaaro mō ngā pēke kirihou, mō ngā papanga poi rānei e kitea ana i te mahi kapa haka. Hāunga tēnei, he tini āna whakamahinga me ngā rauemi waihanga.

Tērā te wā he wāhanga te poi nō ngā mahi o ia rā, ā, ka horapa whānui puta noa i ngā mahi o te puoro, o te hauora, o te whawhai, o te wairua, o te pakiwaitara, me te whakangahau.

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Poi is the name given to a Māori performance artform, and a taonga made from a small ball attached to a cord or string.

When most people think of poi, they think of the plastic bag or fabric poi that are commonly seen in kapa haka performance, but their function and the materials they are made from is diverse.

Poi were once an integrated part of everyday life with their use spanning the realms of music, health, combat, spirituality, storytelling, and entertainment.

What makes a poi? Traditional materials

Historically, poi were made from natural materials like harakeke (New Zealand flax), and raupō (bullrush). Learn about older poi in our collections, and explore the techniques and stories that are intertwined with this practice in te ao Māori.

Two balls made of fish skin each with a cord for hanging on to.

What makes a poi? Contemporary materials

Modern poi are made from natural materials like harakeke (New Zealand flax) and raupō (bullrush), but can also include artificial and constructed materials such as plastic, nylon, and wool.

A round ball wrapped in a blanket material and a plaited cord attached. The ball has two gold hands on it with the wrists in chains.

Poi for protest, poi for peace, poi for unity

Poi are not just used for waiata and entertainment. They can also be symbols of protest and unity.

A group of brightly-coloured round balls with cords attached all clustered together.

Poi: The mesmerising sound of living taonga

For Isaac Te Awa, poi is not only an accessory for dazzling performances, it is also a traditional Māori instrument used for practical and cultural reasons in itself.

An older woman in a yellow and black top is spinning long poi on stage with other older people.

Watch: Poi as part of Taikura Kapa Haka

Watch some of our Taikura Kapa Haka events over the years, including many poi performances.

Women in traditional costume wearing white balls (poi) at their waists are singing and dancing in unison.

View poi and poi history in our collection

Poi group performing, by Glenn Jowitt; photographer; about 1990; New Zealand

Watch: Poi Awe – Tales from Te Papa

Poi take a fair beating in kapa haka (Māori performing arts). But you won't find the rare and delicate poi awe (ornamental poi) swinging in time to music. Elaborate weaving and tassles of kurī (dog) hair make these poi particularly precious. Watch more in this episode of Tales of Te Papa.