Archives: News

First original song released
October 2020

Spin Your Poi, SpinPoi’s first original song, is now available on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, and across other streaming platforms.

Assist and Adapt Podcast
September 2020

In this episode of Assist and Adapt Co-host Maria interviews Dr. Kate Riegle van West and takes a deep dive into SpinPo, the research on poi and health, and how poi can be applied to Parkinson’s, corporate wellness, kids, and seniors.

Interview on BBC World News TV
September 2020

Dr. Kate Riegle van West of SpinPoi is interviewed live on BBC World News TV by Kasia Madera to discuss how poi can help us relax and destress amongst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spin Your Poi Music Video
September 2020

SpinPoi releases a new follow-along music video for kids to the original song Spin Your Poi, as part of a project funded by Creative New Zealand.

First Research on Poi and Parkinson’s
August 2020

SpinPoi spearheads the first research on poi and Parkinson’s disease, in conjunction with three organizations across the globe, which shows promise for improving quality of life.

Live Life Loud 2020 Winners Announced
July 2020

Northbridge Lifecare Trust wins 1st place in the Live Life Loud music video competition sponsored by SpinPoi, Aged Care Lifestyle Consulting, NZSDRT, and DRTA.

HandEyeBody Academy
July 2020

Dr. Kate Riegle van West is this month’s Featured Expert at the HandEyeBody Academy for coordination training.

Mind Body Flow launches
July 2020

SpinPoi and Tai Chi Bruno launch a new virtual class that combines circus arts and meditation techniques to help you relax, centre and revitalise.

Signature Poi Line
July 2020

SpinPoi launches a new line of Signature sock poi and Boutique poi, created by certified SpinPoi instructor Janine Warne of Aged Care Lifestyle Consulting.

Interview in Ponsonby News
June 2020

Dr. Kate Riegle van West is interviewed by David Hartnell about her greatest fears, her motivation in life, and her favorite comfort food.

Creative NZ Grant
May 2020

SpinPoi is awarded a Creative New Zealand Arts Council Grant towards the development and production of SpinPoi Kids music videos

Launch of SpinPoi Kids
April 2020

SpinPoi teams up with award winning New Zealand children’s musician Levity Beet to create a fun follow-along poi routine for kids.

Presentation for Koelsh
April 2020

Dr. Riegle van West is one of the guest lecturers in a series of webinars for seniors presented by Koelsh Senior Communities in the USA.

SpinPoi on ABC News
March 2020

ABC News covers the SpinPoi classes happening at the Northeastern Senior Center in Pennsylvania, USA.

Sport Wellington Article
February 2020

Following the SpinPoi tour, Sport Wellington releases the article “How Poi Can Improve Your Health” including video footage of the SpinPoi facilitator training session in Wellington.

NZ North Island Tour
February 2020

For the month of February SpinPoi hits the road across New Zealand to support health care and aged care organizations in implementing poi programs.

Aged Care Guides in Print
January 2020

Two poi in aged care guides have been revamped and are the first resources to be available in print from the SpinPoi shop.

Routine Videos Beginner Series
January 2020

The SpinPoi Beginner Routines series is released, featuring two beautiful poi routines and step-by-step tutorial videos.

Presentation at U21 Leaders Conference
October 2019

Dr. Kate Riegle van West presents poi research and a hands-on workshop to Deputy Vice-Chancellors from universities across the globe at the Universitas 21 Senior Leader Conference.

Velocity 100K Award
October 2019

SpinPoi takes second place in the University of Auckland Velocity 100K Challenge for entrepreneurs, winning $15k in seed capital and a place in the VentureLab incubator.

Nelson-Tasman Training
August 2019

SpinPoi teams up with Age Concern Nelson Tasman to deliver a series of trainings for health care and age care professionals on poi as a therapeutic intervention.

Article in Stuff News
August 2019

An article entitled “Nelson-Tasman poi workshops offer hands-on help for health” is released by Stuff in anticipation of the Nelson SpinPoi workshops.

Presentation at NZSDRT
August 2019

SpinPoi presents two workshops for age care professionals at the New Zealand Diversional & Recreational Therapists National Conference.

Best Doctoral Thesis
May 2019

The University of Auckland awards Dr. Kate Riegle van West the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries Prize for Best Doctoral Thesis, 2018.

PAC Certification Launches
May 2019

The first SpinPoi instructor certification launches with the Poi in Aged Care (PAC) Rest Home & Hospital Certification.

Dementia Auckland Article
February 2019

MindMatters Issue 24 from Dementia Auckland features an article on Spinoi and how twirling a weight on a cord may improve cognitive function.

Article in JAPA
February 2019

An article detailing the results of the first scientific study on poi and health is published in the peer-reviewed Jour

Fundamentals Course
February 2019

SpinPoi launches the first comprehensive video course aimed at facilitators, focused on the fundamentals of poi for all ages and abilities.

History of Poi video
January 2019

Learn about the origins of poi and how it spread across the globe in this new video about the history of poi.

Presentation at FitEx
November 2018

Research on poi and health is presented at the FitEx conference, which features the latest in science and business for the fitness and exercise industry.

Story on The Project
November 2018

New Zealand current affairs show features Kate’s work with poi and health at Selwyn retirement village, including interviews with residents and staff.

Aged Care Guides
October 2018

New resources for poi in aged care are launched, providing a framework for implementing poi programs in aged care facilities across different levels of care.

Article in Newsroom
July 2018

The article “What poi can do for your health” features an interview with Kate regarding her research and her post PhD poi/health endeavors.

Article in IJA
July 2018

The International Jugglers Association interviews Kate about growing up in the circus, and the path that led her to pursue PhD research on poi and health.

Heroes Campaign
July 2018

Kate was featured in the Unleash Your Potential Heroes Campaign, which showcases University of Auckland alumni who are innovators in their careers.

Poi PhD Complete
June 2018

The first PhD on poi, health, and older adults was awarded from the University of Auckland to the now Dr. Kate Riegle van West. Click to read the full dissertation.

Innovation Challenge Award
May 2018

Kate wins the Velocity Innovation Challenge Social Entrepreneurship prize for her innovative work in the field of poi and health.

Collaboration with Selwyn
April 2018

A collaboration between Kate and the Selwyn Village Diversional Therapy Team has begun, to create a poi/health program and resources for Selwyn staff and residents.

Kūtere film launches
February 2018

Kūtere begins with a heartbeat. A single poi calling out in the space between ground and sky. Between forest and city. Between where we’ve come from and where we’re going…

Spread in International Prospectus
November 2017

An interview with Kate is featured in the University of Auckland 2018 International Prospectus, representing “Research and Innovation at the University.”

Article on Over Sixty
October 2017

“The exercise every over-60 should be doing.” Tracy Adshead interviews Kate Riegle van West about the health benefits of poi for older adults in this article on www.oversixty.com

Interview on Ready Steady Learn
October 2017

Kate speaks about how learning new things (like poi!) can be fun and good for your health on 95bFM’s Ready Steady Learn.

Winner of Future Leader Award
September 2017

Poi research wins the prestigious Future Leader Award from The Royal Society Te Apārangi Early Career Researcher (ECR) Forum. The competition celebrates postgraduate students innovations and discoveries.

Small Island, Big Ideas
September 2017

Kate is one of three University of Auckland researchers invited to present school workshops at the No Barriers – Small Island, Big Ideas Conference on Great Barrier Island.

Interview on TVNZ 1 News
July 2017

TVNZ One News interviews poi study participant Marlene Stratton along with Kate Riegle van West to discuss the health benefits of poi for older adults.

Story on Radio NZ
July 2017

Radio New Zealand article weaves together scientific data and interviews with kapa haka performer Puti Mackey, poi research participant Jocelyn Fausett, and researcher Kate Riegle van West.

Interview on TVNZ Te Karere
July 2017

Hania Douglas from Te Karere, a New Zealand news and current affairs programme broadcast in the Māori language, interviews Kate and study participant Marlene.

Interview on Māori Television
July 2017

Te Kāea, Māori Television nightly news interviews Kate and her participants about the first research study on poi, and opportunities to continue poi / health research in the future.

Interview on Waatea News
July 2017

Dale Husband from Parakuihi Breakfast with Dale interviews Kate about her poi research study and the benefits of poi on physical and cognitive function in healthy older adults.

Article on NewsHub
July 2017

Poi the ‘gold standard of exercise for older adults’ – Practising poi has benefits on physical and cognitive function in healthy older adults, an Auckland University study has concluded.

Aspire Conference
July 2017

Presentation at the Auckland University Professional Staff Conference on the trials and tribulations of following your passion, and how sometimes innovation and inspiration can be found where you’d least expect.

Study Results Released
June 2017

After a year and a half long clinical trial with 79 healthy older adults, the results are in! Both the Tai Chi group and the Poi group improved balance, grip strength, memory, and attention after one month of practice.

Patreon campaign launched
March 2017

Making a living off of a ball on a cord isn’t easy! Patreon is an ongoing crowdfunding site where you can donate as little as $1 a month and help support poi research, plus get exclusive updates and rewards!

Article in the Times Higher Education
January 2017

“How I overcame rejection to turn my love of poi into research: Kate Riegle van West had to battle to bring her circus life and her academic life together…”

Article in Ingenio magazine
December 2016

“Dance Studies doctoral student, Kate Riegle van West, is conducting the first research study to measure the effects of International Poi on physical and cognitive function in healthy older adults.

Fund the Flow Arts grant recipient
November 2016

SpinPoi was a recipient of the 2016-17 Seed Grant Cycle from Fund the Flow Arts, a US-based nonprofit organization established to present and promote the Flow Arts globally.

Story on Newstalk ZB
November 2016

“A researcher who is looking into the health benefits of twirling a poi is in a spin after winning a hard-fought global thesis competition. Kate Riegle van West came all the way from the US to study at Auckland University…”

Article in Chilean Newspaper El Mercurio
November 2016

Poi research and the 3 Minute Thesis competition win are featured in El Mercurio, a national circulation newspaper from Chile.

Three Minute Thesis international winner
November 2016

Kate was awarded 1st place in the International U21 3MT competition! “From circus performer to award winning doctoral candidate…Kate’s win reminds us that excellent students come from all walks of life.”

Research presented at active ageing conference
September 2016

Preliminary results of the poi and health trial were presented at the New Zealand Association of Gerontology 2016 “Making active ageing a reality” conference in Wellington, NZ.

3 Minute Thesis Auckland University winner
September 2016

Kate was announced the Doctoral Winner and the People’s Choice of the University of Auckland 2016 Three Minute Thesis competition. She will go on to compete at the Asia / Pacific competition in Brisbane.

Article by Flow Arts Institute
August 2016

“For many of us in the Flow Arts, we are aware there is a connection between spinning and our personal wellness. One of the people leading the way in this area is Kate Riegle van West…”

Poi for your health on TV ONE
July 2016

Tim Wilson from TV ONE’s Seven Sharp gives poi a go and speaks with Kate about International Poi’s potential to keep older adults physically and cognitively fit.

Interview on Radio New Zealand
July 2016

Kathryn Ryan from Radio New Zealand’s Nine to Noon program interviews Kate about the poi clinical trial, what she’s found out so far, and implications for the future.

Article in University of Auckland News
June 2016

A pākehā from America studying poi? I am often met with confusion, curiosity, and sometimes skepticism when explaining my research on poi and health…

Interview with Seniors News
June 2016

Seniors Newspaper speaks with Kate at the International Federation on Ageing 13th Global Conference in Australia, where she presented the preliminary results of the poi clinical trial.

Research presented at two international conferences
June 2016

Preliminary results of the poi and health trial were presented at two international conferences, the International Federation on Ageing 13th Global Conference in Brisbane, and the World Congress on Active Ageing in Melbourne.

Poi/health documentary released
June 2016

A short documentary on the first clinical trial to measure the effects of poi on physical and cognitive function in healthy older adults. Click to view!

Poi research study launches
March 2016

Forty healthy older adults began a clinical trial at the University of Auckland, to see if there is an effect of poi on physical and cognitive function.

Article in New Zealand Herald
January 2016

An article about the upcoming poi research study was released in local Auckland newspapers: “There are hidden health benefits behind one of the oldest Maori traditions. This is what student Kate Riegle-Van West is trying to prove…”

Crowdfunding campaign successful
July 2015

Thanks to many generous donors, SpinPoi raised enough money to conduct the first clinical trial to measure the effects of poi on physical and cognitive function in healthy older adults.

DEMO Magazine feature
May 2014

Kate and the Orbitar were featured in the Columbia College Chicago DEMO Magazine article “Top 20s: Alumni Making Their Mark in Careers They Love”.

Poi at TEDx
December 2013

Kate performs with The Orbitar at TEDx Beacon Street, and talks about the power of poi as a tool for play, and its future potential everywhere from schools to nursing homes.

Orbitar featured at Salisbury University
November 2011

The Orbitar is featured in the Electronic Art Gallery at Salisbury University during their “Summer Shorts” Exhibition.

Orbitar, new poi musical instrument, debut
May 2011

The Orbitar, a new digital instrument rooted in poi which creates live audio soundscapes, had its debut performance at the Stage Two Theatre in Chicago. Click to view a video of the show.

Presentation at CAA 2011 Conference
February 2011

Kate presents at the College Arts Association Conference as part of the New Media Caucus. Her research/presentation was also published in the Media-N Journal.

Poi video shown at Digital Graffiti Festival
June 2010

The Geometry of Poi, originally a 4 channel video installation, was a finalist at the International Digital Graffiti Festival in Florida, where it was projected life size on the side of a building during the festival.