Meet the team
Our Kumarani whānau are the backbone of our organisation. Their passion and drive for social circus allows us to bring joy to the whole community.
Tracey
Trust Manager
Tracey brings a practical, down-to-earth approach to leading Kumarani, with over a decade of experience in financial management, strategic planning, and organisational development.
Since stepping in as Trust Manager in 2024, she has strengthened the organisation’s operations, improved its financial position, and nurtured a positive team culture, ensuring Kumarani’s creative magic thrives.
A Management Accountant by training, Tracey has worked with Oranga Tamariki, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, and various New Zealand businesses and nonprofits, combining financial expertise with a passion for community-led change and making circus accessible to all.
admin@circuskumarani.co.nz
Tania
Tania joined Circus Kumarani in 2020 and loves being able to share circus with all ages and abilities. They have over 15 years experience in community circus, and their favorite props are hula hoop and stilt walking.
Tania teaches our regular classes in Dargaville and you’ll often catch them out and about at public events in a circus zone or as a roving performer.
They also work behind the scenes as our Community Coordinator, and help produce our major shows and events. They love circus because of the caring, creative and collaborative community, and for its huge variety of props and styles of movement.
community@circuskumarani.co.nz
Lisa L
ü
Lisa Lü is a Circus Community Teacher by heart. She grew up learning Circus Skills in an after school program and decided young that what she will do for life. She teaches our Intermediate Youth Class and is often seen behind the scenes where her newest circus skills are pointing and directing.
But seriously, Circus is an amazing platform where loads of different skills are united under the Circus Tent and Lisa loves reinventing and growing herself and others within this world.
classes@circuskumarani.co.nz
Holly
Holly has been with us here at Circus Kumarani since December of 2023 as a performer, teacher, creative director and social media manager. Their favourite circus disciplines include tumbling, acrobatics, aerial silks, juggling, and diabolo.
Holly is passionate about giving young performers the opportunity to shine in fun, exciting shows that tell a story, helping children build confidence, creativity and a love for the circus arts. They are so grateful to have the opportunity to do this with us at Circus Kumarani!
Mat Manamat
Mat has been spinning, teaching, and making people laugh with Circus Kumarani since 2009. A playful performer with a funny style, fluent in most classic circus props — especially Cyr wheel and diabolo. Loves games and connecting with people.
Mat teaches the Whangarei Friday Youth Circus Class with Lisa Lü.
Ann
Ann aka Anntix is circus teacher, performer and event coordinator for Circus Kumarani.
They have been doing Circus for about 20 years, and with Circus Kumarani since 2021.
Ann helps to organize Northland Circus Festival
Jess
Jess is a master of circles & has been hooping for 12yrs & a fire whisperer dancing with flames for 6yrs. You may have also seen her on the burlesque stage! Jess has been teaching and performing with Circus Kumarani for 5yrs and has helped produce shows like 'Break the Mold' & 'Funkyray Cabaret 2024'.
She is also on the organizing team for Northland Circus Festival! Passionate about performing & all things shows she is also a co-founder of Dancing Diamonds, who put on regular burlesque shows & workshops
Jess teaches the Whangarei Thursday Kids Circus Class with Zion.
Zion
Zion is a circus performer and fire artist with over five years of experience working with flame, flow, and movement. For the past four years, he has been teaching and performing with us here at Circus Kumarani, sharing a deep love for circus arts with audiences and students alike.
Zion’s favourite practices include fire eating, poi, and teaching beginner kids, where their patience and passion shine brightest. Above all, Zion believes circus is about community, play, and keeping the magic of movement alive.
Zion teaches the Whangarei Thursday Kids Circus Class alongside Jess.
Louie
Louie is a skilled circus artist specialising in diabolo and juggling. He has been teaching with Circus Kumarani since early 2024 and is always excited to share the coolest parts of circus.
Louie began as a student, first taking the classes Kumarani was offering as a child and has shifted into the role of a teacher.
Nunya
Nunya is a self taught aerialist and contortionist, specialising in Aerial hoop (lyra) as well as Hand balancing and developing Fire spinning.
She has worked with us here at Circus Kumarani since June 2024 as a performer and an aerial teacher.
Fenna
After volunteering with Kumarani since 2024, Fenna officially joined the organisation last September. They’re a mental health social worker and counsellor, bringing experience in MC-ing, event management, and teaching. Their performance background spans poetry, dancing, singing, acting, and more.
Fenna enjoys juggling, hoop, and dapostar, but aerials are their absolute favourite prop. Originally drawn to aerials to conquer their fear of heights, they quickly fell in love with life in the air. From lyra to trapeze, rope, chains and hammock… they like all things aerial - but silks have claimed the top spot for now.
When they’re not sharing the upside-down joy of aerials through teaching, you might find Fenna running circus zones, lending a strong arm at events, or stepping in to support other classes wherever needed.
The Board
Trudy Talbot - Chairperson
Tsz Ho - Treasurer
Mabel Jiang - Secretary
Mabel Kennedy Jiang is a communications and design practitioner dedicated to strengthening community arts. She brings strategic clarity, creative literacy, and care to her work with Circus Kumarani, supporting governance and storytelling.
Craig Kenney
Anna-May Jensen