Details Emerge of a Multi-Agency Investigation into Alleged Child Exploitation at Zirka Circus
December 7, 2022
PHOTO: Supplied to Newshub
Newshub can reveal details of a major multi-agency investigation into alleged child exploitation, which resulted in six young circus acrobats being uplifted and returned to their parents in China.
The investigation was led by Oranga Tamariki, but also involved Police, Immigration New Zealand, Worksafe and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The alleged exploitation occurred at Zirka Circus, according to Family Court files obtained by Newshub. Zirka Circus has put on shows across New Zealand for the past decade using Chinese magicians, contortionists and acrobats - some as young as 11-years-old.
But Oranga Tamariki claimed the children’s living conditions were “squalid”, their medical and dental needs were “neglected”, and they didn’t get a proper education while touring New Zealand over many years.