I'm sure I saw a similar women's stick dance among the folk dances in the Cook Islands so Polynesian/Maori sounds right. BUT... the other cultures might have all learned it from each other at an international Guide/Girl Scout Jamboree, perhaps invented by Olave Baden Powell in UK!! Poi Poi (tiny ball on end of string) where the balls are twirled (NOW, NOW, 'Spaw...No comments!)is definitely Polynesian/Maori.

RtS