Patea song at heart of viral video

Poi E country ... the sign entering Patea says it all.

First a film and now a viral video - Patea's fame as Poi E country is undergoing a resurgence.

Poi E is a simple song with a catchy beat released 32 years ago and has become New Zealand's unofficial national anthem.

Earlier this year a movie, Poi E - The Story of our Song, premiered to critical and popular acclaim. With humour, energy and emotion, the movie tells the story of how the iconic song gave pride to generations of New Zealanders and to Patea residents, reeling from the closure of the town's freezing works.

On Monday the song hit the headlines again with the release of an online video promoting Taranaki.

The video, Stepup Taranaki Dance Challenge, is already showing signs of going viral on social media, hitting 22,000 views on You Tube within its first 48 hours.

Billed as the first choreographed dance video of its kind to be launched to the world, it was filmed over 18 months and drew on a large team of volunteers.

"The goal is to get the entire region dancing to Poi E. Our aim is to be the largest choreographed dance video in the world," Stepup Taranaki's Sarah Lee said.

"Our ultimate goal is to raise $100,000 to be split between Taranaki Young Peoples Trust and South Taranaki Hospice, who have identified services and capital items that are currently required within their respective charities. These charities provide essential services for young people at risk and palliative care respectively."

Stepup Taranaki, the organisation behind the video, wants to see Poi E the song back at number one in the charts by Christmas 2016.

"We want to make it a global viral video and challenge the rest of the world to do better - which will be hard because we have the best song," Ms Lee said.

The Patea Maori Club, owners and performers of the song, welcomed the video.

"It was our pleasure to be a part of this awesome kaupapa," the club wrote on its Facebook page.