Attempt on poi record

Press, 19 October 1976, Page 16

Attempt on poi record

A Christchurch ' woman, Mrs Aroha Chick is to' make an attempt on the New Zealand record for poi swinging, and by Saturday morning the Town Hall foyer should be alive with swirling poi. At 10 o clock on Friday morning Mrs Chick will begin her marathon, assisted by the Mayoress (Mrs .Judith Hay). She hopes to be still in action until past mid-day on Saturday. The record stands at 26 hours, li was set last year by Mrs Rang! Grige, of Roxborough. Mrs Grige is president of the Roxborough Maori Women's Welfare League. Although she would not accept Mrs Chick’s challenge to attempt to break her own record. Mrs Grige will join Mrs Chick for her first hour of poi twirling. Mrs Chick will be allowed only a five minute break every hour. Time keepers will keep the record, and give added moral support. The lonely hours from midnight until morning will be,

Mrs Chick expects, her most taxing. “POIARAMA” Her attempt on the record is being called a “poiarama."

For this event Mrs Chick, who is the Te Waipounamu representative on the national Maori Women’s Welfare League, is representing

the Waitaha Maori Cultural Council. She is a committee member. The record attempt has been organised to promote the South Island Maori Arts Festival and Cultural Competition being held in the James Hay theatre on Saturday. About 500 people, including teams from Nelson to Bluff, will take part in the festival. As' the teams arrive it is | planned that some members: of each group will join Mrs Chick, to give a display oftheir own speciality. If Mrs Chick breaks the: record she will still be going as the festival gets under way, Juniors and intermediates will perform at 1 p.m., and the seniors will compete in the evening. During her marathon on-; lookers and others will be: able to sponsor her. The ; funds will go to the council, j which is the co-ordinating; body for the cultural clubs i in Canterbury, affiliated to ths South Island council. For the first time arts and crafts have been included in the week's activities this year.