SportNZ approached ANZCA to codesign and fund a proposal to support Rangatahi to engage in Active Recreation through Circus.

Over the next two years (June 2025-July 2027) we will collaborate with circus industry leaders and organizations throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand to create a national strategy to engage and support rangatahi in pursuing entry and career pathways in circus arts.

This is a super exciting opportunity and we look forward to seeing the strengthening and development of our sector through this mahi

Twelve organisations have been invited to be part of this project; selected for their amazing existing work with rangatahi and regional representation. We are also seeking feedback and input from the wider industry – please reach out if you would like to share your challenges, ideas and opinions.

Nationwide 
Circability

 Te Tai Tokerau / Northland
Circus Kumarani

Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland 
The Dust Palace
Flip N Fly
Te Kura Maninirau

 Te Moana-a-Toitehuatahi / Bay Of Plenty
Circus In A Flash

Te Whanganui a Tara/ Wellington
The Circus Hub

Ōtautahi/ Christchurch
Aerial 3
Christchurch Circus Trust

Ōtākou/ Otago
Brophys Aerials (Ōtepoti/Dunedin)
The Circus Space (Alexandra)
Silk & Circus (Queenstown)

Project Manager
Carlene Newall de Jesus – rangatahi@anzca.co.nz

Advocacy and Community Outreach
Eve Gordon – info@anzca.co.nz

Infrastructure
Tania Bracey-Brown – chair@anzca.co.nz

SportNZ has great resources on Active Recreation for Rangatahi. They have identified 5 area of Active Recreation, including Circus Arts as part of ‘Artistic Movement’. It’s awesome to see out industry recognized as part of this growing landscape.

Mana Taiohi is a framework developed in partnership between Ara Taiohi (Aotearoa youth development peak body) and SportNZ, and is a foundation for the Active Recreation for Rangatahi Plan.

The Mana Taiohi principles acknowledge the mana that young people bring or carry, and actively work to enhance that mana. The framework has evolved from the principles of youth development, has been informed by young people, and reflects a Te Ao Māori worldview.

By better understanding and responding to the needs of rangatahi, there is an opportunity to deliver a broader range of activities, shifting towards active recreation as a vehicle for youth development.