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ABOUT THE WELLINGTON CIRCUS TRUST

Our love and passion for circus arts is at the root of our work to support and grow a thriving circus community in Wellington.

 

Our Vision

Inspiring passion for circus arts​

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Our Mission

To grow both the professional and recreational circus sectors by providing inclusive, accessible opportunities for learning, performing, collaborating, and creating

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Our Stated Aims​

  1. To foster a thriving circus recreational and performance community in Wellington.
     

  2. To provide community facilities, equipment and infrastructure for classes, rehearsal and performance that are affordable to circus groups. Priority will be given to activities dependent on specialised equipment and facilities, such as aerials, over activities for which other facilities are readily available.
     

  3. To foster, encourage, and facilitate relevant community classes, workshops and training opportunities.
     

  4. To do any other act within New Zealand that advances the above charitable aims.

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Our Story​

The Wellington Circus Trust was formed in December 2005 by a group of talented and enthusiastic circus practitioners who shared a simple vision: to create a permanent home for circus training, performance, and community in Wellington.  

 

What started out as a grassroots effort has grown into the one of the largest and busiest circus schools in New Zealand, welcoming people of all ages and abilities to explore circus arts and creative movement.

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In the early days, the Trust trained wherever space could be found - from community halls to borrowed rehearsal rooms - driven by a strong belief in the power of circus to bring people together.

 

In 2012, that journey led to a permanent home at the Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre in Newtown - made possible through dedication, community support, and a deep belief in circus as an art form, a practice, and a way of bringing people together.

 

Today, the Hub’s unique home, with its 12-metre stud height and specialised rigging, continues to support a wide range of aerial and ground-based disciplines, alongside classes, workshops, and performance opportunities.

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Over the years, the Trust has evolved to adapted to changing circumstance and the changing life of circus. In 2025 we celebrated our 20th birthday. 

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Some highlights cross the years include:​​

  • hosting an intensive Summer School course in 2017 and 2019 involving internationally-recognised circus professionals to teach professionals from all around the country; 

  • serving as the primary training base for the Whitireia Circus–Dance programme between 2015 and 2019; supporting tertiary-level circus education.

  • being an Arts and Culture runner up in the Wellington City Council Regional Community Awards in 2025.

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In 2026, after securing support from our community to remain at the Hub for another 5 years, the Trust is focusing on securing partnerships with like minded organisations in the Wellington region and NZ circus community.

The Circus Hub is the trading name of the Wellington Circus Trust (Charity #: CC36451, NZBN: 9429043056484).

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