Women's dance twirling poi balls (small spheres on braided fibers); developed hand flexibility for weaving.

Where did the Poi originate?

The Poi originated in New Zealand (Māori) in the -1000s.

Dance History›Global Pacific Islands & Oceania›Poi

Poi

OriginNew Zealand (Māori)

Era-1000–Present

History & Cultural Context

Poi is a Maori performance art in which a performer rhythmically swings one or more tethered weights ("poi") - traditionally light balls made from raupo (bulrush) attached to cords of braided harakeke (flax). It is performed by women and is usually accompanied by waiata (song). By tradition, women practised poi to keep their hands and wrists supple for weaving, while a related form was used by men to build coordination for combat.

Poi developed within Maori culture in Aotearoa New Zealand after Polynesian settlement, which radiocarbon evidence dates to approximately 1250-1350 CE. It remains widely practised today within kapa haka (Maori performing arts). See Sources for documentation.

Poi Music & Tempo

Drawn from 21 Poi tracks in the LODance music library.

Example tracks at practice tempo

Poi Wairua — Aotearoa Maori Singers
Hoea ra te waka (Canoe Pi Song) — Rotorua Maori Choir
Poi Atu Taku Poi — Guide Rangi; The Rotorua Arawa Concert Party
Poi A / Moe Ra - Poi Chants — Turakina Maori Girls Choir
Poi Wairoa — Aotearoa Maori Concert Party
Te Papa Mai E Hine (Poi Song) — Turakina Maori Girls Choir

Browse & play all 21 Poitracks in the Music Library →

What to Wear

Attire guidance for Poi and other Global Pacific Islands & Oceania dances. Each card below is sized to the moment — class, practice, social, or competition — because the wardrobe shifts as the stakes do.

Reading the cards

Class — group instruction; comfort first.

Practice — rehearsal; dress like the dance.

Social — public dance floor; smart casual to formal.

Competition — judged events; rule-bound costume.

In Class

Comfortable clothing allowing hip and arm movement. Pareo/sarong wraps are common for Polynesian dance class.

Social Dancing

Traditional dress appropriate to the specific island culture for performances and cultural events.

Competition

Traditional costume — Hula: ti-leaf skirts, leis, specific adornments. Tahitian: more elaborate hip ornaments (more). Maori: piupiu (flax skirts) and traditional adornments.

Shoes

Barefoot is traditional and essential across Pacific Island dance forms. The connection between feet and earth/floor is spiritually and technically integral.

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In Practice

Barefoot from day one — the foot-to-floor connection is part of the technique across Pacific traditions, not removable equipment.

Price Range

Budget: Pareo $20–60; practice clothing from existing wardrobe.
Mid: Performance attire and adornments $150–600 depending on tradition.
Premium: Hand-crafted ceremonial pieces (lei, headdresses, piupiu) commissioned through community networks; pricing varies significantly by tradition and craftsmanship.

Key Terms

Pareo / sarong: Wrap-style fabric used in Polynesian and Pacific Island dance practice and performance.
Piupiu: Flax skirt worn in Maori traditional dance forms.

Quick Tips

•Suede-soled shoes allow controlled sliding and pivoting — essential for most partner dances.
•Avoid rubber soles on dance floors; they grip too much and can cause knee injuries.
•Bring a separate pair of clean shoes for the dance floor to keep it in good condition.

Evolution of Dance Attire →Shop the look · Gear Guide →

Sources & Further Reading

Cultural & Historical Context

Poi emerged from New Zealand (Māori) during the -1000s—present day. Understanding the cultural roots, musical traditions, and social circumstances of this era enriches appreciation for the dance's characteristics and significance.

Primary Source Documents

The Library of Dance contains public-domain primary sources for dance history. Copyrighted modern syllabi are indexed with purchase links to their respective copyright owners. Search by dance name or codifier to discover primary source documents.

Last reviewed: August 2026 — This dance profile synthesizes historical research, cultural documentation, and contemporary practice knowledge to provide authoritative context.

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