Have you ever had a small idea that turned into something big? Like making something cool for a school project and then realising this could be huge! That’s pretty much what happened to Georgia Latu. She didn’t just make poi for fun. She turned it into a business that celebrates te ao Māori, helps the planet, and gives jobs to people who need them.
Georgia Latu is a young Māori entrepreneur from Ōtepoti. At just 12 years old she began making poi, and now at 17 she runs Pōtiki Poi, one of the biggest poi makers in the world. Georgia grew up in a home filled with Māori culture. She went to kōhanga reo and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ōtepoti, where she learned te reo Māori and tikanga. From a young age, she loved poi and kapa haka. When she turned 12, she made poi to raise money for a wānanga in Rotorua. On Facebook and at school she sold them for a fundraiser and raised $1,000 in three days. That moment sparked a big idea.
After her fundraiser success, Georgia and her mum Anna took part in a start-up bootcamp and won a people’s choice award. That made them realise making poi could be more than just a hobby. In 2019 they officially launched Pōtiki Poi. The name has deep meaning by honouring Api, Georgia’s younger brother who has Down syndrome, and connects it with their ancestor Tahu Pōtiki. Georgia built her company on values of care, culture, and caring for the planet. They use recycled fabrics and pillows to make poi, pay a living wage to their staff, and employ people with different abilities. Over time she also did poi health research which showed that swinging poi can help older people’s minds and spirits. She even won science fair awards for that work.
Today, Georgia is one busy young woman. Her company made over 30,000 pairs of poi for fans at the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup, with 200 volunteers helping in Dunedin. Pōtiki Poi poi are now sold in shops across Aotearoa and Australia, including Te Papa, Waitangi Museum, and 30 Countdown supermarkets. She started Kura Poi, a school where kids learn poi and poi-based dance, a fun way to stay active and get creative. She wrote a short book on the whakapapa of poi during the COVID lockdown. She cares about mental wellbeing too, using tools like Aroā Wellbeing—a digital site that gave her space to breathe through tough times.
Despite everything, Georgia admits running a big kaupapa can be tough on her mind. She lost her best friend at 14 and has had to manage grief alongside growing her mahi. She says real success includes asking for help and looking after yourself and your four pou, physical, spiritual, family, and mental wellbeing.
Georgia shows us how one idea can grow into a business that brings people together, supports diversity, and nurtures the planet. She is a Māori wahine who uses culture to connect, uplift others, and guide her mahi. She stands for what’s right: good pay, eco-friendly materials, and inclusion. She even tells kids, “If I do not do it, who will?”
Latu’s story can inspire us all. She began by making poi as a 12-year-old, now at 17 she leads a real company, runs poi dance schools, writes books, and cares for her own mental health. She shows that just by starting something little can make waves when you are older.
Comprehension Questions
1. Why did Georgia Latu first start making poi, and what happened after her first fundraiser?
2. What are some ways Pōtiki Poi helps people and the environment?
Activities for kids
1. Create Your Own Mini Poi! Make your own pair of simple poi using recycled materials, just like Georgia does. All you need is:
– Old fabric or plastic bags
– String or wool
– Soft filling (like old pillow stuffing or scrunched newspaper)
– Tape or glue
2. Start a “Big Ideas” Journal: Georgia’s big idea started with a small fundraiser. What’s a small idea you have that could grow into something big? Write about: Something you love or care about, a problem you’d like to solve, a creative way you could help others or the planet
