People of all ages and abilities will come together in Tauranga this month for Kanohi Kitea, a free celebration of indigenous and social circus, culture and community connection.
Circability Trust BOP Hub will host its annual Kanohi Kitea celebration at Ōtūmoetai College Okohanga Whare Wānanga on October 21 from 10am to 1pm. Entry is free.
Kanohi Kitea – meaning ‘Seen Faces, Visible Connections’ – is held annually across Circability Trust’s four regional hubs throughout New Zealand. This will be the third year the Bay of Plenty Hub has hosted the event, and the second at Ōtūmoetai College.
The celebration will bring together tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, kaumātua, people with disabilities, community organisations and local groups for participation, performance, cultural sharing and connection.
Organiser Rowan Ford Dawson said the event highlights indigenous circus arts from Aotearoa alongside traditional circus practices.
“Poi is already widely used within the circus and flow arts around the world and tītītōrea is clearly a form of solo or partner pass juggling,” Dawson said.
“Indigenous circus can be seen in cultures all over the globe, from Indian hoop dancing, acrobatics in Africa, and Hiko in Tonga and Cook Islands juggling with large nuts or limes.”
The programme begins at 10am with a welcome and pōwhiri, followed by kapa haka and performances. A highlight will be the Mīharo Idea Services Kapa Haka Group, whose members are people living with disabilities who share their talents through waiata, haka, poi and performance.
Circability Trust works regularly with Idea Services, combining circus, movement and performance.
From 10.30am to 12.30pm, participants can try inclusive circus and cultural activities, including juggling, poi and poi-making, hoops, balancing, tī rākau, knucklebones, traditional Māori games and tītītōrea.
Cultural adviser Wiremu Te Kawana is supporting the event’s kaupapa and helping ensure its cultural elements respect te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori and Te Ao Māori.
Dawson said circus offers much more than traditional big-top entertainment.
“Circus is a way of connecting, storytelling, learning physical skills and having fun – and these traditions have a place across cultures all around the world.”
The morning will conclude with shared kai and kōrero from 12.30pm, followed by closing acknowledgements and karakia at 1pm.
Circability Trust BOP Hub delivers inclusive social circus programmes throughout the Bay of Plenty, working with schools, disability organisations, community groups and older adults.
Its kaupapa is ‘All abilities, all ages, all cultures – better together’, using circus arts to build confidence, coordination, friendships and community connections.
Kanohi Kitea 2026: Wednesday, October 21, 10am-1pm, Ōtūmoetai College Okohanga Whare Wānanga, Tauranga. Entry is free.