Ellerslie Village News - September 2026
- Zania Guy
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Ellerslie Arts & The Dust Palace
Our wonderful village of Ellerslie boasts a lot of incredible things and right up there with the most impressive is the fact that it boasts a beautiful Arts venue which houses a world-class circus theatre company!
It might well be based in Ellerslie but The Dust Palace has also showcased its amazing Cirque acts throughout New Zealand, as well as performing further afield in Brisbane and Adelaide, and even taken its Te Ao Māori cirque theatre performance "Te Tangi a te Tūī" theatre to Canada's National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
Founded in 2009 by performance artist Eve Gordon, who is the Artistic Director, and with Executive Directors Rachael Dubois and Geoff Gilson, The Dust Palace moved its base to Ellerslie in 2025. Leasing it from the council, The Dust Palace Charitable Trust has a mandate to prioritise the Arts. This focus has also allowed a wide range of community groups to utilise the hall, some examples are: Rongoa Māori with Kirioho, Palette Kids Art Classes, Manawa Ecstatic Dance, Rush Dance Cardio, Dansintyme Square Dancers, and Auckland Philharmonia. This list is not exhaustive however, and many other community groups use the main hall, as well as the smaller Te Rūmaki room and the Artist Studios within the building, on a regular basis to help all the arts to flourish in Ellerslie.
We dropped into the hall on a busy Saturday morning to experience first-hand The Dust Palace performers and also students training. Upstairs on the mezzanine Geoff was tutoring students at all levels the art of tumbling. Some were newcomers to Cirque and others more seasoned in the skills that being part of the circus requires. Downstairs the Lyra (aerial hoops) and aerial silks were occupied by the more senior students and performers. What was also particularly noticeable were the young children being introduced into the world of Cirque. One day they could well be part of the remarkable The Dust Palace troupe.
Back in the main hall we are looking up at the aerial truss that The Dust Palace installed in the hall. “Our Dust Palace performers train consistently here, quite often in the early mornings on weekdays before the other bookings kick in," explains Geoff. “This place is unique because our performers, as well as members of the wider circus community, have access to this amazing aerial facility due to the installation of a truss structure and lighting rig in the hall which can be used both for training and for the actual shows we can hold in the hall."
A number of shows are part of The Dust Palace performance itinerary. They include a wonderful family and kids show called "The Ice Cream is Melting", which played at Ellerslie Arts in April, and its te reo Māori counterpart "Kua Rewa Te Aihikirìmi", a Te Pou Theatre production which toured Auckland and Northland in August and finished with two performances at Ellerslie Arts which was on August 15. An adult cabaret "Haus of Yolo", featuring four performers, was on earlier in the year before touring to the Adelaide Fringe earlier this year, and is also currently in repertoire.
Coming up at Ellerslie Arts are free workshops in the hall on the Ellerslie Fairies and Pirates Festival, and then the Spring Student show : KŌANGA on September 19 and 20, as well as the "Two Islands" circus theatre show on October 3. Details and bookings are at www.ellersliearts.nz
As is common in the theatre, film and acting communities, performers generally are not salaried employees, but instead are chosen for available roles, including The Dust Palace shows. Thanks to their tenacity and versatility, as well as various funding sources, support for Ellerslie Arts and The Dust Palace keeps Geoff , Rachael, and Eve remarkably busy overseeing the various projects. Such support for New Zealand's premier circus theatre company and Ellerslie Arts is undoubtedly going to continue for many years yet.
Get to know the Ellerslie locals: Andrew Lemalu Law
In the photo: Christine and Andrew Lemalu
Thirty years ago, Andrew Lemalu had a vision to run his own law firm.
Living in Ellerslie it made perfect sense to choose local. Starting in a tiny, serviced office
Andrew Lemalu Law grew quickly and secured the street-front business location it is in
today. “It’s all about helping people and providing them with value for money” says Andrew.
Andrew believes arranging your personal affairs doesn’t need to be complicated. A valuable piece of advice he would offer to everyone is to make plans for your future now. Making a Will or preparing a Power of Attorney can be as simple as filling in a questionnaire. “This is something we do every day, and it is one of the most important documents you will ever sign, but it sometimes gets overlooked, avoided or thought to be too complicated” says Andrew. “We love it when locals pop into the office to get a document witnessed, as we often see them return when they are ready to sell or buy a house”.
A fantastic team assists Andrew in providing quality legal advice to families and businesses, both in Ellerslie and the surrounding areas. Andrew’s wife Christine and nephew Dev are part of this thriving business which offers support to many other local businesses, schools and events including the Fairy Festival and Pirate Party. Andrew can often be found enjoying a hearty breakfast at Little Lucious and keeping fit at Movement Pilates. “Over the years I truly believe it is the people who make Ellerslie what it is today and I look forward to being part of this wonderful community for many years to come” Andrew says proudly.
Andrew Lemalu Law, 2 Robert Street, Ellerslie, andrewlemalulaw.co.nz
Huge congrats to Richoux Pattiserie and Bianca for sweeping up new awards!
There's been some huge wins in the village recently with both Richoux Pattiserie and Bianca both being awarded for their incredible food!
Bianca have won not only recently been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand! they only went and received their first Cuisine Award Hat. This is a huge testament to the quality of the food Hayden and the team create fresh every day. Plus even more exciting news! they have expanded there premisis to add more space and more tables. So now we have no excuse to not book a table to try them out. It's one of the hottest places to be in Auckland!
On top of these great wins, Richoux Patisserie announced their results recently from the 2026 BAKELS Supreme Pie Awards. They got the Gold award for their classic Mince & Gravy and a Silver award for their Gourmet Meat pie.
For a little village in Auckland - we really punch above our weight in incredible eateries.
Another reason Ellerslie is the best village in Auckland.
If you have a story that you think we should write about. Simply email whatson@ellerslievillage.co.nz
