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 the global leader in working with poi as a therapeutic tool. We support individuals and organisations in Aotearoa and across the globe with evidence-based poi programs for all ages and abilities. SpinPoi has 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. Her groundbreaking work earned her the University of Auckland’s “Top 40 Under 40” honor, the Royal Society of New Zealand’s Future Leader Award, and the Best Doctoral Thesis Award.
For more information visit www.spinpoi.com
For use internationally
SpinPoi is the global leader in working with poi (a ball on a cord swung in circular patterns around the body) as a therapeutic tool. We support individuals and organizations across the globe with evidence-based poi programs for 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. Her groundbreaking work earned her the University of Auckland’s “Top 40 Under 40” honor, the Royal Society of New Zealand’s Future Leader Award, and the Best Doctoral Thesis Award.
For more information visit www.spinpoi.com
Bio for Dr. Kate Riegle van West
Dr. Kate Riegle van West is the Founder and CEO of SpinPoi, the global leader in using poi as a therapeutic tool. She completed her PhD at the University of Auckland, where she conducted the first scientific study on the effects of poi on physical and cognitive function. Her groundbreaking work earned her the University of Auckland’s “Top 40 Under 40” honor, the Royal Society of New Zealand’s Future Leader Award, and the Best Doctoral Thesis Award. Kate’s work with SpinPoi has been featured by international media outlets including BBC World News, ABC News, TVNZ, Radio New Zealand, and Māori Television. She continues to work full-time in the poi and health field, supporting a global community of Certified SpinPoi Instructors across five continents, and helping people of all ages and abilities improve their wellbeing—one orbit at a time.
Images
Click on an image to open high resolution version, then right click to save. Please note PHOTO CREDIT MUST BE INCLUDED wherever the photo is used. For images of the poi themselves, click here.
Photo credit: SpinPoi
Select Press
News Coverage
2024 The Conversation article
2022 CIE Newsroom article
2021 40 Under 40 article
2020 BBC World News live interview
2020 ABC News segment on SpinPoi in Pennsylvania, USA
2018 The Project TV3 television segment
2017 TVNZ 1 News television segment
2017 Radio New Zealand interview
2017 Maori TV television segment
2016 Times Higher Education article
2016 Newstalk ZB radio interview
2016 Seven Sharp, TVNZ television segment
2016 Kathryn Ryan Radio New Zealand interview
Awards
2026 Fund the Flow Arts Community Development Grant
2025 Fund the Flow Arts Research Grant
2024 Hundred Global Collection top 100 innovations
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