Poi Kānga - short poi

This pair of poi kānga (corn husk poi) were woven by contemporary artist and weaver Tangimoe Clay using whītau (muka), and corn husk.

Tangimoe wove these poi using tradional methods, but her use of corn husks was inspired by the cornfields surrounding her marae (tribal meeting place) in Ōpōtiki, Bay of Plenty.

Respect of the environment is important to Tangimoe, and these poi crafted from natural plant materials, are her response to the issue of sustainability. Tangimoe also advocates for the use of kete (woven bags) instead of single-use plastic bags, especially for food gathering.

I’m happy to have contributed to the evolution of poi in the history of kapa haka and Toi Māori. I encourage each iwi to use their own natural resources and fibre, to move away from plastics. To be the true kaitiaki, we as Māori are meant to be."

Tangimoe Clay, 2019.