Press Release

Contact

Dr. Kate Riegle van West
Mobile: +64 (9) 210 200 5965
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.spinpoi.com

https://www.facebook.com/spinpoi
https://www.instagram.com/spinpoi
https://youtube.com/spinpoi
https://www.linkedin.com/in/spinpoi

About SpinPoi

For use within New Zealand

SpinPoi is a social enterprise dedicated to improving health and wellbeing through poi. They support individuals and organisations in Aotearoa and across the globe, with a focus on utilising poi to improve quality of life for people of all ages and abilities. SpinPoi’s products and services are evidence based and rooted in tikanga Maori, and have been featured in national and international media including BBC World News, ABC News, TVNZ, Radio New Zealand, and Maori Television.

SpinPoi was founded by Dr. Kate Riegle van West, a scientist, artist, and entrepreneur with a passion for play and wellbeing. Kate completed her PhD in the health benefits of poi at the University of Auckland, where she conducted the first study to scientifically investigate the effects of poi on physical and cognitive function. Kate was named one of the University of Aucklands Top 40 Under 40 inspiring alumni in 2021, and was awarded the Future Leader Award from the Royal Society of New Zealand and the Best Doctoral Thesis Award for her work in the poi/health field.

For more information visit www.spinpoi.com

For use internationally

SpinPoi is a social enterprise dedicated to improving health and wellbeing through poi (a ball on a cord swung in circular patterns around the body).  SpinPoi supports individuals and organizations across the globe with evidence-based poi programs, specializing in improving quality of life for people of all ages and abilities. SpinPoi has been featured across international media including BBC World News, ABC News, TVNZ 1 News, and Maori Television. 

SpinPoi was founded by Dr. Kate Riegle van West, a scientist, artist, and entrepreneur with a passion for play and wellbeing. Kate completed her PhD in the health benefits of poi at the University of Auckland, where she conducted the first study to scientifically investigate the effects of poi on physical and cognitive function.Kate was named one of the University of Aucklands Top 40 Under 40 inspiring alumni in 2021, and was awarded the Future Leader Award from the Royal Society of New Zealand and the Best Doctoral Thesis Award for her work in the poi/health field.

For more information visit www.spinpoi.com

Images

Click on an image to open high resolution version, then right click to save. For images of the poi themselves, click here.

Photo credit: James Hirata
Photo credit: SpinPoi
Photo credit: SpinPoi
Photo credit: SpinPoi
Photo credit: SpinPoi
Photo credit: Age Concern Nelson Tasman
Photo credit: Boyd Anderson
Photo credit: SpinPoi
Photo credit: SpinPoi
Photo credit: SpinPoi
Photo credit: David Barnett Photography

Select Press

News Coverage

Awards

  • 2022  NZ On Air New Music Kids Grant
    2022  Callaghan Innovation Grant
    2021  40 Under 40: The University of Auckland’s Top 40 Inspiring Alumni
    2020  Creative New Zealand Arts Continuity Grant
    2019  Best Doctoral Thesis Award, University of Auckland
    2019  Velocity 100K Challenge winner
    2017 Future Leader Award, The Royal Society of New Zealand
    2016 Three Minute Thesis 1st place winner, International U21 competition
    2016 Three Minute Thesis 1st place winner, University of Auckland competition
    2016 Brain Research New Zealand travel grant recipient
    2015 U.S. Exchange appeal Ambassador, University of Auckland
    2015 Friends of the University of Auckland US/NZ Exchange Award, University of Auckland
© SpinPoi | Terms and Conditions