One of the most popular ‘double short poi’ dances—that is, danced with two short poi—is the so-called waka poi, the canoe dance. The girls sit behind one another like rowers in the canoe and the dance has two figures; the first (above) being called ‘toea’, hauling. The left hand is laid on the shoulder of the girl in front and the right arm moves backwards and forwards, while the poi keeps on twirling. When the arm is right back, the poi is made to hit the back of the hand; when the arm is right forward, after a deft twist with the wrist, the poi hits the back of the hand again. Beginners at Ngatiponeke always start with the single short poi. Before they are taught any of the movements, they learn the fundamental art of twirling the poi. They start by holding the poi suspended (left). Then with a swift wrist movement the hand is swung upwards and the poi follows, tracing a graceful circle through the air. It comes to rest by beating gently against the back of the hand (right). Bouncing off, the poi is swing back to its starting point and so on throughout the dance. The so-called ‘movements’ of the poi are with the arms and sometimes the legs, for the whole body participates in the poi dance. But whatever else is done, the twirl of the wrists continues throughout the dance and does not distract the skilful dancer from imitating the fluttering of a fantail or the diving of a shag.

THE POI DANCE Two of the most accomplished dancers at the Ngatiponeke hall are Margaret Mariu and Dawn Nathan. Both of them have been performers for years: they have not only perfected their own technique but they have become very good at teaching newcomers. Miss Mariu comes from Tokaanu and Miss Nathan from the Hutt. Te Ao Hou has made the daring attempt to show in pictures the poi dances taught by these two performers at youth clubs in Wellington. Of course, methods will vary from place to place and the names of the dance movements are also merely ocal. However, no full photographic record of Maori dances exists, and Te Ao Hou's story should appeal to all students of Maouri culture. We have also shown a short single poi dance, called ‘Porotiti’ (the twirl). This is always the first poi taught to newcomers to Ngatiponeke. Its name derives merely from the first movement, also called porotiti. We have also shown the two principal movements of the ‘waka poi’ (canoe poi), a popular double short poi, that is, danced with two short poi balls. The musical accompaniment was sometimes song, sometimes a saxophone. Without Miss Mariu's gentle and patient instruction, Te Ao Hou could probably never have presented this feature. 1. The first movement of Ngatiponeke's poi is the ‘porotiti’, and therefore the whole dance is known by at name, Porotiti means twirl. While the right hand twirls the pohe left arm is raised from the waist to receive the poi which beals gently against the palm of the outstretched hand (left). Then the right arm slowly moves to the right and the left arm to the waist. The dancer then lifts her left arm again, but this time the poi does not hit the palm but the back of the hand (right). These two parts of the movement alternate while each beating of the poi against the hand strikes the measure of the tune.