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The Project features SpinPoi’s work in aged care, including interviews with SpinPoi founder Kate and retirement village residents
Poi research wins the prestigious Future Leader Award from The Royal Society of New Zealand with this 3 minute video.
FEB 2019: SpinPoi launches the first comprehensive video course aimed at facilitators, focused on the fundamentals of poi for all ages and abilities.
JAN 2019: Learn about the origins of poi and how it spread across the globe in this new video about the history of poi.
NOV 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.
NOV 2018: New Zealand current affairs show features Kate's work with poi and health at Selwyn retirement village, including interviews with residents and staff
OCT 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.
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.
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.
JULY 2018: Kate was featured in the Unleash Your Potential Heroes Campaign, which showcases University of Auckland alumni who are innovators in their careers.
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.
MAY 2018: Kate wins the Velocity Innovation Challenge Social Entrepreneurship prize for her innovative work in the field of poi and health.
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.
FEB 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...(click to watch)
NOV 2017: An interview with Kate is featured in the University of Auckland 2018 International Prospectus, representing "Research and Innovation at the University."
OCT 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
OCT 2017: Kate speaks about how learning new things (like poi!) can be fun and good for your health on 95bFM's Ready Steady Learn.
SEPT 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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...”
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.
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.
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..."
NOVEMBER 2016: Poi research and the 3 Minute Thesis competition win are featured in El Mercurio, a national circulation newspaper from Chile.
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."
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.
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.
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..."
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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!
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.
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..."
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.
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"
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.
AUGUST 2011: The Orbitar is featured in the Electronic Art Gallery at Salisbury University during their "Summer Shorts" Exhibition.
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.
FEB 2011: As part of the New Media Caucus at the 2011 College Arts Association Conference, Kate spoke about The Orbitar on the Instrument as Artwork as Interface panel. Her research was also published in the Media-N Journal following the conference.
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.
