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A series of fire performance workshops will be held in Ōrewa’s Moana Reserve over the next few weeks.
The workshops are being organised by fire performance group Te Ahi Ora. Founder Joshua Bourgeois says a dream to share the transformative power of fire performance has grown into a movement that has touched the lives of more than 80,000 children, parents and educators across New Zealand.
“The roots of Te Ahi Ora trace back to 2011 when I discovered fire performance and experienced its profoundly positive impact on my mental health,” Bourgeois says.
“Driven to share this art form, I immersed myself in the fire performance community, volunteering, teaching and eventually pioneering best practices that merged creativity with safety and accessibility.”
In 2020, amid the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Te Ahi Ora became a youth wellbeing and performing arts programme.
“It’s unique blend of physical activity, creativity, and connection quickly gained recognition, earning support from Creative New Zealand, Manatū Taonga – Ministry for Culture & Heritage, and other leading institutions,” Bourgeois says.
“Since then, Te Ahi Ora have visited more than 162 schools and communities, introducing thousands to the mesmerising discipline of fire arts, inspiring confidence, resilience, and joy.
“Te Ahi Ora weaves the ancient allure of fire into the fabric of modern New Zealand communities.”
Organisers say that after a workshop in Ōrewa late last year, they started to receive enquiries about starting a proper beginners course on the Coast.
“We’d love to make that happen.”
Coast resident Ryan Mayes says he first experienced Te Ahi Ora in Green Bay at a community fire night.
“After seeing how Josh was running things, I knew I had to get involved to bring the Te Ahi Ora experience to the coast,” he says.
“The change in my own kids was almost immediate – they started asking for practice staffs to keep refining their skills, replacing screen time with something more active and creative.
The workshops will be held on Friday nights – January 31, February 7, 14 and 21; starting at 7pm. The cost is $10 for one turn, or $20 for three. Children under five must have parental supervision.
