Playing with fire

By BEN WATSON - North Shore Times Saturday, 12 May 2007
OUT OF THE DARK: Tim West from Huia creates eyecacthing designs. During summer a group of men and women get fired up every Tuesday night.
In a central city park they gather to dance, twirl and perform the night away with streaks of fire carving through the night.
Welcome to fire night.
Organised by fire dance and performance group Central City Circus, fire night has been lighting up the summer night sky for eight years.
It started at Victoria Park but moved to Basque Reserve in Newton.
One of the organisers of the night Mark Williams says it gives people doing fire poi the opportunity to showcase their skills and learn new ones from others.
Fire poi is an evolution of the traditional Maori poi and, as the name suggests, the ends are set alight with kerosene.
Over the years the pastime has become increasingly popular and although fire night is finished for this season, next daylight saving Mr Williams says they are keen to have more people come along to watch and take part.
The group is also hoping to secure funding to help cover the costs of fuel for the fiery events.
"We're chewing through more fuel than ever so it would be good to get a hand from someone," he says.