Circus Aotearoa is fun for the family performed by a family who like providing fun

Damian Gordon's best memories of performing with Circus Aotearoa are seeing families having fun in the crowd. Photo / Jesse King

Damian Gordon is a business owner and a ringmaster, a dad and a truck driver, a husband and a clown and a self described "sledgehammer guy".

You've got to wear many hats when you own a travelling circus and after 25 years in the industry, Gordon might have tried them all on.

Along with his wife Irene Goed, Gordon has been running Circus Aotearoa for 11 years and they've been driving all over New Zealand throughout.

Together with son Matthias and daughter Artemis, the four are in Whanganui with the seven others in their crew putting on shows at Springvale Park.

Circus Aotearoa is not the first circus to come to town, but Gordon says what sets them apart from the others is all in their name.

"We've got that Kiwi let's-have-fun-together attitude. The audience are involved and the tent is intimate. We sell them popcorn and have a joke with them beforehand.

"We even all wear gumboots while we're performing."

Performances include all the classics such as juggling, clown acts, acrobatics, aerial manoeuvres, hula-hoop displays, unicycle riding and rola-bola.

In rola-bola, a performer stands on a balance board which is usually sitting on something spherical and then performs tricks while doing so, such as juggling.

"My son Matthias, he's been involved in the circus his whole life. He's 23 now and his rola-bola act's world class," Gordon says.

"His skill level is huge. He could probably work in a circus anywhere in the world, but he's ours."

Gordon started out as a street performer which is how he met his wife Irene.

That lifestyle was too difficult to maintain after they had kids, so they chose the circus life.

Gordon says it is a cool lifestyle.

"I make people laugh and get paid for it. My best memories are seeing families in the audience.

"Sometimes you get four generations and they're all at the circus having a good time. It gives you warm fuzzies when you manage to do that."

Circus Aotearoa has visited Whanganui three or four times and the performers enjoy getting out for a look around between shows - Durie Hill is a favourite.

"We always have a good time here. The council's easy to deal with and there are good friendly people," Gordon says.

"I encourage people to come out and enjoy themselves. It's a good family event for everyone from three-year-olds to 80-year-olds."

Circus Aotearoa is in Whanganui until Sunday, April 28 with shows on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 2pm and 7pm. Anzac Day shows are at 12pm and 5pm and the final show is on Sunday at 2pm.