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.
Tania Whetū
Tania has been part of the team since 2020. They loves bringing people together at events and facilitating Circus Kumarani from behind the scenes as well as on the stage! Tania is passionate about the benefits of circus and creative arts.
Growing up in Dunedin, Tania joined the Circus Club at Otago University and began managing circus events in 2010. Since then, they has developed as a performance artist, toured and taught circus skills across Aotearoa and Australia with the Wandering Circus, and managed public art projects and community events.
Lisa L
ü
Lisa is a multi talented circus performer & teacher, from Germany.
She has been teaching children circus since 2004 and joined Circus Kumarani in 2012.
Lisa teaches the Whangarei Aerial Classes and also the Whangarei Friday Youth Circus Class with Mat Manamat.
Mat Manamat
Mat has been doing circus for the 15 years. He learnt most of his skills in Europe from a few different circus schools, where he became a "master" of manipulation.
He came to New Zealand and became part of the Kumarani team in 2008.
Mat teaches the Whangarei Friday Youth Circus Class with Lisa Lü.
Anntix
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 teaches the Dargaville circus classes.
Lexi
Lexi has been in the performing arts for 12 years, and with Circus Kumarani for 4.
She loves performing and working with the youth.
Holly
Holly has been doing circus for about 6 years, and became a part of the Kumarani team in 2023.
They love working behind the scenes, and performing on the stage!
Holly teaches the Whangarei Thursday Kids Circus Class with Jess.
Holly also runs Cosmic Floss a candy floss business in Whangarei.
Jess
Jess aka The Lady Grinning Soul has been hoola hooping for 10 years, and joined the Circus Kumarani team about 4 years ago.
She loves being a part of the welcoming circus community, and she values the confidence that circus builds in people.
Jess teaches the Whangarei Thursday Kids Circus Class with Holly.
Zion
Zion has been a part of the Circus Kumarani team for 3 years, and is also a part of Pheonix Fire Flow and Circus.
Pheonix Fire Flow and Circus sells a diverse range of circus props, puts on jams and other performances.
So Phie
So Phie from The Wild Untamed has been with Circus Kumarani for about 6 years.
The Wild Untamed does amazing aerial performances, workshops and so much more.
Want to join our team?
Learn about our Artist Residency opportunity!
The Board
Lucy Wu
Lucy is an Auckland based nurse who has been dabbling in circus since 2018 and loves to play on the silks. Lucy brings management and governance experience from the sports, health and retail sectors. She joined the Kumarani board at the end of 2021. Lucy is passionate about wellness and sees the mahi Kumarani does as a huge contribution to the community in creating space for all to experience the beauty of circus. She sees circus as the intersection of artistic expression, physical exercise and community.
Andy Sondalini - Chairperson
Tsz Ho - Treasurer
Mabel Jiang - Secretary
Craig Kenney
Anna-May Jensen