Devastating Fire Destroys The Dust Palace's Stored Circus Equipment And Theatre Assets
The damage is catastrophic, says Grae Burton, Chair of The Dust Palace Trust. This is more than just equipmentthis is the creative heartbeat of years of mahi, training, and generosity from our community.
Auckland, NZ – A massive fire in the early hours of Sunday morning June 9th has completely destroyed the storage facility housing all of The Dust Palace's circus props, aerial equipment, costumes, and recently donated theatre seating.
The fire broke out in a commercial warehouse on Maurice Road in Penrose just before 1am on June 8, with over 50 firefighters responding to the blaze. Among the tenants of the facility was The Dust Palace Trust, a renowned circus and performing arts organisation known for its community engagement, national touring productions, and kaupapa Māori-led education programmes.
The fire resulted in the total loss of more than 15 years of creative material, including hand-crafted set pieces, specialist circus gear, and the full inventory of aerial rigging equipment. Also lost were newly donated theatre seats used in the recent production of Haus of YOLO at Ellerslie Arts—seats that were destined to support the creation of affordable performance spaces.
'The damage is catastrophic,' says Grae Burton, Chair of The Dust Palace Trust. 'This is more than just equipment—this is the creative heartbeat of years of mahi, training, and generosity from our community.'
The Trust has launched a Givealittle page to raise funds to rebuild and recover. Donations will go toward replacing essential equipment so that upcoming shows, community classes, and youth outreach can continue as planned.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
KORA It's Time For "Revolution"
Kora are back - and sound bigger, deeper and more electrifying than ever! With brand new single ' Revolution ' feat Laughton Kora, the iconic Aotearoa band is set to reawaken the hearts of fans both old and new. A compelling reggae anthem for 2025 that cuts right to the heart of political accountability. 'Revolution' rides on a buoyant groove, driven by punchy guitar skanks, a bass-heavy groove and soulful vocals, making it as danceable as it is politically charged. It's Time For Revolution! Listen/Watch ' Revolution ' Made witth the the support of NZOA Known as one of Aotearoa's most powerful and dynamic acts fusing elements of roots, reggae, funk, rock, dub, and electronic music into a sonic identity that is entirely their own. Their music is heavy and melodic and grounded in kaupapa Māori, driven by innovation, storytelling, and groove. Their breakout hits ' Politician ', 'Burning', and ' On My Mind ' propelled Kora to the top of the charts, with their debut album going double Platinum and Light Years cementing their status as innovators. Recent singles like ' Secret Lover ', ' Weekend ', ' Dancing In The Rain', and ' Gone ' have kept Kora's sound fresh and their fanbase growing, blending bass-heavy grooves with soulful hooks and sharp production. The current live ensemble, consists of core members Fran and Stu Kora, Dan McGruer and Richie Allan, along with new additions Darren Mathiassen (Trinity Roots, Shapeshifter) on drums, Marika Hodgson (Hollie Smith, Troy Kingi, Alae) on bass, and Karlos Tunks (Troy Kingi, MMQ) on rhythm guitar and BVs. Long renowned for their explosive live shows, Kora remain one of Aotearoa's most formidable headline acts on stage, wowing crowds at the likes of The Big Day Out, Rhythm & Vines, Rhythm & Alps, One Love, Synthony In The Domain, Electric Avenue, Homegrown, and Splore. Their performances bring together heavy bass, soaring vocals, and raw energy, blending musical mastery with raw power to create an immersive experience. Whether headlining major festivals or packing out venues around Aotearoa, Kora's ability to move a crowd is unmatched.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Scoop
Toi Iho: Māori Mark Of Authenticity Honoured On The Global Stage
Press Release – Toi Iho The honour for Toi Iho underscores the global significance of Indigenous-led cultural protection and innovation. It signals a growing international commitment to cultural sustainability and the rights of Indigenous peoples to define and safeguard their … Toi Iho, the mark of authenticity and quality for Māori art and artists, has received an Honourable Mention in the 2025 Jeonju International Award for Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage (JIAPICH). This prestigious award, sponsored by UNESCO and the City of Jeonju, Korea, celebrates outstanding efforts to protect and promote living cultural traditions worldwide. Founded in 2002 as a response to the cultural appropriation and misrepresentation of Māori art, Toi Iho is an independent, Māori-led organisation that upholds the integrity of Māori art. Through registration, it champions Māori artists who demonstrate cultural authenticity, and artistic excellence. 'Toi Iho is more than a mark, it's a movement, a symbol of mana, identity, survival, and future potential,' says Elizabeth Ellis CNZM, JP (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou), Chair of the Toi Iho Charitable Trust and Senior New Zealander of the Year 2025. 'This recognition affirms the importance of protecting the integrity of our stories, our artforms, and our ways of being in the world.' This year saw a record number of applicants for JIAPICH, with global interest driven by its new Ambassador-at-Large programme. The award, hosted by the Center for Intangible Cultural Studies in Korea, recognises work that crosses borders to protect cultural heritage for future generations. The honour for Toi Iho underscores the global significance of Indigenous-led cultural protection and innovation. It signals a growing international commitment to cultural sustainability and the rights of Indigenous peoples to define and safeguard their own heritage. 'This Honourable Mention belongs to the many Māori artists, organisations, and supporters who work tirelessly to protect and promote our living traditions. It's a call for all societies to value and uphold the richness of Indigenous cultures,' says Ellis.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Scoop
Toi Iho: Māori Mark Of Authenticity Honoured On The Global Stage
Toi Iho, the mark of authenticity and quality for Māori art and artists, has received an Honourable Mention in the 2025 Jeonju International Award for Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage (JIAPICH). This prestigious award, sponsored by UNESCO and the City of Jeonju, Korea, celebrates outstanding efforts to protect and promote living cultural traditions worldwide. Founded in 2002 as a response to the cultural appropriation and misrepresentation of Māori art, Toi Iho is an independent, Māori-led organisation that upholds the integrity of Māori art. Through registration, it champions Māori artists who demonstrate cultural authenticity, and artistic excellence. 'Toi Iho is more than a mark, it's a movement, a symbol of mana, identity, survival, and future potential,' says Elizabeth Ellis CNZM, JP (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou), Chair of the Toi Iho Charitable Trust and Senior New Zealander of the Year 2025. 'This recognition affirms the importance of protecting the integrity of our stories, our artforms, and our ways of being in the world.' This year saw a record number of applicants for JIAPICH, with global interest driven by its new Ambassador-at-Large programme. The award, hosted by the Center for Intangible Cultural Studies in Korea, recognises work that crosses borders to protect cultural heritage for future generations. The honour for Toi Iho underscores the global significance of Indigenous-led cultural protection and innovation. It signals a growing international commitment to cultural sustainability and the rights of Indigenous peoples to define and safeguard their own heritage. 'This Honourable Mention belongs to the many Māori artists, organisations, and supporters who work tirelessly to protect and promote our living traditions. It's a call for all societies to value and uphold the richness of Indigenous cultures,' says Ellis.
