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

Over 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.

The ‘Elevate’ strategy to whakamana rangatahi in the Aotearoa Circus Sector launched in November 2026, and we will continue to support circus organisations with resources and networking to implement and improve it – we want a living, actionable strategy that creates real change across our sector.

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

Eleven organisations were invited to be part of co-designing this project; selected for their amazing existing work with rangatahi and regional representation. We also connected with 96 other circus organisations across Aotearoa, and had rangatahi focused conversations with 28 of them, seeking feedback and input from the wider industry.

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
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.