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Poi

What makes a poi? Traditional materials

Historically, poi were made from natural materials like harakeke

  harakekeNew Zealand flaxMāori, and raupō. Learn about older poi in our collections, and explore the techniques and stories that are intertwined with this practice in te ao Māori

  te ao Māorithe Māori worldMāori.

In the past, poi were used to make the wrists more flexible for hand-to-hand combat, and, among some iwi

iwitribesMāori, were called upon by tohunga

tohungaexpertsMāori during karakia

karakiaprayersMāori to help connect the spiritual and physical worlds. The poi tradition continues today, preserved by women in kapa haka

kapa hakaMāori cultural performing artsMāori groups.

Poi kupenga – net weaving poi

This poi has been woven using tā kupenga tā kupengalooped netting techniqueMāori. Long strands of muka

mukaNew Zealand flax fibreMāori have been prepared using miromiro miromirorolling techniqueMāori to form long lengths of cord. The prepared cord has then been threaded onto a ngira ngirabone needleMāori and a structured latticework of netting has then been woven by hand from top to bottom to form the ball.

A woven ball with a cord connected to it

Caption

Poi (kinetic percussion instrument), weaver unknown, muka, dye, raupō down, 1800–1910, New Zealand. Te Papa (ME002846)


Poi raupō – bullrush poi

A pair of round-shaped poi made of prepared raupō raupōbulrushMāori leaf wrapped longitudinally around a core of paper and tied with cotton thread at the neck.

Two balls made from flax and rafia with a cord each are hanging on a black background.

Caption

Poi (kinetic percussion instrument), maker unknown, raupō (bulrush), muka (New Zealand flax fibre), paper, plastic, paint. 1850–1950. Te Papa (ME011443/1)

Poi tāniko – woven poi

These poi have been made using the tāniko tānikofine embroidery or weaving in a geometric patternMāori technique seen on the ornamental borders of prestigious cloaks. The word ‘Mihi Mihigreeting, tributeMāori’ has been woven on the poi in an elaborate pattern and could refer to the owner, a significant tupuna

tupunaancestorMāori, or even a greeting during a performance.

Two balls with Māori weaving designs and the word 'mihi' woven into the material.

Caption

Poi taniko (percussive device), weaver unknown; 1800-1900; New Zealand. Acquisition history unknown. Te Papa (ME003940)

Poi awe – ceremonial poi

Not all Māori poi (balls on cords) are used in cultural performances. This is an old and extremely rare ceremonial poi. It is intricately woven from a single strand of flax fibre, with dog-hair decoration. The ‘papakirango’ diamond pattern signifies spiritual protection.

Very rare poi woven in muka (flax fibre) with a technique called knotless netting. It is called a poi awe, due to the presence of the dog-hair awe (tassles) attached as decoration.

Caption

Poi awe (percussive device), 19th century, New Zealand, maker unknown. Te Papa (ME000150)

Watch Tales of Te Papa: Poi Awe to find out more about the Poi awe: