Poi tāniko (kinetic percussion instrument) named "Te Pō-i-roa"

This poi tāniko known as "Te Po-i-roa" was woven by Cori Marsters in 2020. It was completed for the Te Roopu Kotuku Rerenga Rangi exhibition held by ‘The Poi Room’ gallery in Auckland in July 2020. The poi tāniko is woven completely from muka (New Zealand flax fibre) extracted from harakeke (New Zealand flax). This includes the stuffing of the ball which is also muka. Paru (iron rich mud) has been used to achieve the black colouring.

Through colour and pattern this poi speaks of the long nights in which Matariki is observed and celebrated. The main focus being on the black representing the night sky complementing the white design, Aonui which represents the many star constellations that welcome Matariki into their ranks.

Construction
This poi tāniko is woven from dyed black and and natural white muka using the tāniko technique.
The bottom of the ball of the poi is adorned with a black and white muka tassel.
The patterns represented on the ball of the poi are a combination of the aonui pattern, with the double diamond waha rua pattern adorning the central four quadrants of the poi. The attachment of the cord to the ball has been decorated with a muka fringe of black and white, and a cord of black and white muka with a black and white muka tassel is attached to the end acts as the handle of this poi tāniko..

Cori Marsters
Cori Marsters is Māori weaver of Te Arawa descent who hails from the Lakes Districts, Rotorua.
A descendant of Weavers and Carvers, Cori strives to uphold and maintain the rich legacies of his whanau and hapu for future generations to come. A traditionalist at heart, Coris work seeks to fully explore the use of traditional and natural materials, dyes and techniques to produces exquisite taonga.

"I strive to attain the standard of excellence achieved by my ancestors".

Cori Marsters (Te Arawa, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Ngāti Whakaue), 2020