Poia Rewi lectures at Te Tumu (School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies), the University of Otago. His main areas of research and teaching, and community engagement involve the Māori language, Māori culture, education and performing arts. He was Co-Principal Investigator on the Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga 'Te Pae Tawhiti' initiative on Te Reo Māori. Professor Rewi was also involved in 'Te Kura Roa – Waiaro: State responsiveness towards the Māori language' project which focused on Māori language revitalisation, examined the responsiveness of the Government to the Māori language at both national and local policy levels.