Tour manager Marie Weber said the Moscow Circus was busy packing up its big top, as it was not financially viable to perform to audiences limited to 100 people under the Red setting of the Covid-19 Protection Framework.
The livelihoods and lifestyles of circus performers were now in limbo, and the travelling community of around 50 performers, crew and family members was unsure of where it would go next, Mrs Weber said.
She believed the shift to Red had affected the entire events industry, but only the most visible events had been offered government assistance.
In November, the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment announced it would provide a financial backstop for summer events that sold more than 5000 tickets.
However, because the funding was based on the number of tickets sold in one location, the circus was excluded, Mrs Weber said.
The circus could attract up to 140,000 people in a year, Mrs Weber said.
The circus would apply for funding from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage instead.
"We should qualify, but we just don't know. It’s a waiting game," she said.
She expected that the ministry would be inundated with performing artists competing for the funding.
She also expressed concerns for the international performers who worked for the circus.
Their visa conditions means they would not be able to work in other industries while the circus was on pause.
If they left the country it was unlikely they would be able to return.
She said the circus community was tight-knit and would support one another.
"Ozzy the clown", Gary Brophy, said performers across New Zealand had done their bit by promoting the two shots for summer vaccination campaign, but had been forgotten by the Government.
He said the circus was an important tradition that had continued through world wars and economic catastrophes.
He loved his work because he got to cheer people up when times were tough, Mr Brophy said.
