NMO Poi Workshop

Why We Hold Poi Wānanga

​Te Ao o te Poi: More Than a Movement

​Our Poi Wānanga are about far more than just learning a performance; they are a deliberate space for passing down ancestral knowledge. For our kaihaka, the poi is a vessel for kawa (protocols), tikanga (customs), and the deliberate, traditional movements gifted to us by our tīpuna. Through these wānanga, our performers don't just learn how to swing a poi—they connect to its story, its rhythm, and its purpose. ​True to our commitment to quality and cultural integrity, this wānanga also focuses on the refined craft of poi making. Our kaihaka learn to construct heavy-duty, professional-grade poi designed to withstand years of rigorous training, high-impact choreography, and powerful stage performances. We teach them to build things that last, anchoring them in both sustainable craft and enduring tradition.