The 16yo behind the Black Ferns poi movement
Teenage entrepreneur’s venture draws on her ancestors’ creative skills to cheer on our players from the sidelines
If I don’t do the things I do now, when will it happen and who will make it happen? Georgia Latu, Po¯itiki Poi
As well as the players being a hit on the field, the star in the stands during this year’s Rugby World Cup tournament has been the poi.
And behind the display of unity is a
16-year-old from O¯ tepoti (Dunedin). Georgia Latu is the chief executive of Po¯itiki Poi, the world’s largest poi manufacturer and an embodiment of her ancestors’ finest art skills.
She started off hoping to help marae reduce waste. Now her business also has markets overseas.
Latu’s efforts were recognised this year when she won the Young Ma¯ori Business Leader Award.
The Wa¯ Poi (it’s poi time) movement at the RWC games was sparked by an idea from Dame Hinewehi Mohi — who made history at a Rugby World Cup 23 years earlier.
Latu has supplied more than
30,000 of the tournament’s poi. They have also found its way to other sporting events around the globe.
For the World Cup, her entire wha¯nau have been behind her, creating up to 1000 poi daily.
“We got into it from an email [from organisers] that started off wanting
2000 poi, [then], upped it to five [thousand], upped it to I think 12 [thousand], added another 10 [thousand] on top of that,” Latu says.
The teenager says seeing her poi at the World Cup games is a “huge moment in history for Aotearoa, and revitalising our taonga”.
“Lots of people ask, ‘Well when do you have time to do it, young rangitahi?’ and I say, ‘Well if I don’t do the things I do now when will it happen and who will make it happen?’
“For me, I’m very proud to be a young Ma¯ori wa¯hine and through the barriers and through everything, I’m glad to see this happen.”
As today’s sold-out crowd get ready to whirl their poi for one last time, attendees are encouraged — in true Kiwi DIY fashion — to make their own poi, as only the first 5000 through the gates will get one for free. With that in mind — and with the hope those not going to the game will join the movement from their couches or bars — Latu has provided a step-bystep guide to making her traditional Po¯itiki Poi at home.