We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for Poi E

Poi E

Pātea Māori Club , Music Video – 1984

from the album Poi E (1984)

This uplifting promotional clip is as famous as the chartbusting song. Accompanied by Jo, the breakdancing guide, for a tour of Pātea and surrounds, the Pātea Māori Club are captured "bopping and twirling like piwakawaka": at the local marae, in Wellington's Manners Mall, and on Pātea’s main street, where milk tankers and sheep trucks pass by the Aotea canoe remembrance arch. So does the impresario himself: Dalvanius does a pūkana out a car window. In 2010 'Poi E' re-entered the charts thanks to Taika Waititi hit Boy. A documentary on the song was released in 2016.

I probably heard about it long before I heard it. But when I did I was hooked. Seeing Māori on TV was pretty rare so it wasn't until I saw the music video that I realised how huge and amazing it was. It's the quintessential New Zealand song ...
– Boy director Taika Waititi on seeing Poi E while growing up

If you liked this, you might also like...

Thumbnail image for Pātea Māori Club
Artist

Pātea Māori Club

Drawn together by economic hardship after the closure...

Collection
Collection image for Turning Up the Volume

Turning Up the Volume

Press play on NZ On Screen's biggest collection yet. From...

Collection
Collection image for The Matariki Collection

The Matariki Collection

A selection of iconic Māori TV, film and music video for...

Collection
Collection image for Ultimate NZ Party Playlist

Ultimate NZ Party Playlist

From Split Enz to Savage, this is NZ On Screen's playlist...

Thumbnail image for Ngoi Ngoi - performed by Pātea Māori Club

Ngoi Ngoi - performed by Pātea Māori Club

Another song from the Pātea Māori Club

Thumbnail image for Dalvanius

Dalvanius

Documentary about the song's creator

Thumbnail image for Poi E: The Story of Our Song

Poi E: The Story of Our Song

Trailer for documentary on the song's creation

Thumbnail image for Heartland - Pātea

Heartland - Pātea

Dalvanius talks about the Poi E: The Musical

Thumbnail image for Maoris on 45

Maoris on 45

Dalvanius-produced hit song from 1982

Thumbnail image for Marae DIY - Pātea Māori Club (Series 13, Episode One)

Marae DIY - Pātea Māori Club (Series 13, Episode One)

The Pātea Māori Club whare gets a makeover

Thumbnail image for Sweet Soul Music - First Episode

Sweet Soul Music - First Episode

Dalvanius hosted this soul series

Thumbnail image for Viewfinder - 12 April 1984

Viewfinder - 12 April 1984

More breakdancing from 1984

Thumbnail image for E Tū

E Tū

More breakdancing

Thumbnail image for E Ipo

E Ipo

Another te reo song one co-written by Ngoi Pēwhairangi

Thumbnail image for Boy

Boy

This song features in the film

Thumbnail image for Medicine Man

Medicine Man

More poi and breakdancing action

Thumbnail image for Haka - A Musical and a History

Haka - A Musical and a History

A stirring performance-based haka film

Thumbnail image for Te Māori - A Celebration of the People and their Art

Te Māori - A Celebration of the People and their Art

Features at the start of this documentary

Thumbnail image for Once Were Warriors

Once Were Warriors

Film featuring traditional Māori & contemporary sounds

Thumbnail image for Maureen

Maureen

Another music video directed by Waka Attewell

Thumbnail image for Prince Tui Teka - 1983 Variety Show

Prince Tui Teka - 1983 Variety Show

Poi-E lyricist Ngoi Pēwhairangi is honoured in this show

Thumbnail image for Ten Guitars

Ten Guitars

Documentary on Ten Guitars featuring Dalvanius and Patea

Thumbnail image for Tangaroa

Tangaroa

Featuring traditional Māori and contemporary sounds

Thumbnail image for New Zealand Mirror No. 14

New Zealand Mirror No. 14

Early footage of kapa haka

Thumbnail image for AEIOU

AEIOU

Dalvanius worked with Moana Maniapoto early in her career

Thumbnail image for Marae DIY - Manutuke Marae (Series Three Episode)

Marae DIY - Manutuke Marae (Series Three Episode)

More uplifting marae action

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Hinewehi Mohi

Making Music - Hinewehi Mohi

Another Māori musician

Thumbnail image for Ka Haku Au - A Poet's Lament

Ka Haku Au - A Poet's Lament

A doco on legendary composer Kohine Whakarua Ponika

Thumbnail image for Pallet on the Floor

Pallet on the Floor

A feature film shot partly in Pātea

Thumbnail image for Māori Boy

Māori Boy

Another modern-meets-traditional music vid

Thumbnail image for Rock Around the Clock - First Episode

Rock Around the Clock - First Episode

More from Dalvanius

Thumbnail image for ASB Polyfest 2017 - Ngā Puna o Waiōrea (Series Two, Episode Seven)

ASB Polyfest 2017 - Ngā Puna o Waiōrea (Series Two, Episode Seven)

More poi action

Thumbnail image for The Stage - Haka Fusion - First Episode

The Stage - Haka Fusion - First Episode

More modern-traditional fusion

Thumbnail image for Dixie Chicken - Episode Three

Dixie Chicken - Episode Three

Dalvanius on Dixie Chicken

Thumbnail image for Fatally Cool

Fatally Cool

More poi action

Thumbnail image for Hui Pacific - Episode

Hui Pacific - Episode

Pātea Māori Club perform in this show

Thumbnail image for Kua Makona

Kua Makona

Another 1980s pop song in te reo

Thumbnail image for Kua Makona

Kua Makona

Another 1980s pop song in te reo

Thumbnail image for Give It A Whirl 5 - Finding Our Own Voice (Episode Five)

Give It A Whirl 5 - Finding Our Own Voice (Episode Five)

Pātea Māori Club appear in this episode

Thumbnail image for Maimoatia

Maimoatia

Another hit waiata

Thumbnail image for Shortland Street - Is It You Or Is It Me (30th anniversary song)

Shortland Street - Is It You Or Is It Me (30th anniversary song)

More fantastic poi action

Thumbnail image for 2023 Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata Final

2023 Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata Final

2023 winners of kapa haka competition Te Matatini