Poi+: Identity in the In-Between

FEATURE | HANGA / CRAFT

Written by Rose Scott (she/her) | @aut_ventures | AUT Ventures

For students, identity is rarely set in stone. School is a space of development – where who you’ve been begins to loosen, and who you’re becoming starts to take shape through not only learning, but community. For some, that journey unfolds naturally. For others, it becomes something lived and learned. Poi+ was born from this in-between.

Founded by Joe Patuki (Tainui, Ngāpuhi), Poi+ is a movement-based workshop that integrates Māori values, te reo cues, and poi movements to create connection through culture for tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) as they develop their own sense of self. Joe first imagined Poi+ while navigating his own path as a student at AUT, where he completed a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation, majoring in Sport Management.

Alongside his studies, Joe worked as a youth sports coach across football, tag, and rugby. Through this experience, he began to notice something often overlooked: even well-intentioned sporting environments don’t work for everyone. Many are built around competitive or high-pressure models, which can leave kids who aren’t the typical “sporty” type feeling out of place. Seeing some thrive while others were left behind pushed Joe to reflect on how things could be done differently – and how he could help create more inclusive ways of belonging.

Poi+ grew out of that reflection with the guidance of AUT Ventures, AUT’s commercialisation arm that helps students turn their ideas into real-world impact. Through our support, Joe was able to move Poi+ from concept to practice, delivering one-hour Poi+ workshops in schools across Tāmaki Makaurau. At its core, Poi+ meets tamariki and rangatahi where they are in their identity journey, supporting them to reflect on — and sometimes challenge — their values in a safe and inclusive space.

Sessions are grounded in Te Whare Tapa Whā, a Māori holistic health model that views wellbeing as a balance of four interconnected pillars. Movement through poi supports taha tinana (physical wellbeing), while moments of learning nurture taha hinengaro (mental wellbeing). Taha whānau (social wellbeing) is strengthened through warm-ups that encourage collaboration, all underpinned by taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing), which grounds the programme in meaning and purpose. Together, these elements help participants — alongside Joe himself — understand how culture, values, and community shape who they are becoming.

In this way, Poi+ challenges the idea that identity is ever complete, allowing young people the space to keep growing into who they are. It reminds us that some of the most meaningful understandings of self don’t happen alone, but in the shared work of growth – alongside others.

Kia tupu, kia hua, kia puāwai

To grow. To flourish. To prosper.

You can find out more about Poi+ at poiplus.com and @poi_plus on Instagram.