Waipoua Forest circus festival downgraded after wind rips big to[

Circus Kumarani has had to downgrade its plans for the Northland Circus Festival in Waipoua Forest tomorrow and Sunday after its big tent was ripped in today's storm.

Today's foul weather has led to a casualty in the Kaipara - a big tent that was due to be used for a circus festival.

But in true entertainment spirit, the show must go on, albeit with workshops tomorrow and Sunday, rather than the big top experience.

The Northland Circus Festival is being held at the Waipoua Forest Visitors Centre from today until Sunday.

The event is being organised by Dargaville's Kumarani Circus and manager Abbe Clark said she had to cancel the official festival due to the weather.

''Unfortunately the wind picked up and ripped the big circus tent. We will still be out there doing workshop where and when we can. If the weather is good tomorrow we will still try and have a gala show as there are still a lot of talented people at the forest,'' Ms Clark said.

She said regardless, the circus would still be running workshops tomorrow and Sunday, even if the big tent could not be put up again. It has found somebody to repair the tent, but if the wind was strong tomorrow and Sunday it would not be put up to prevent further damage.

"It's a real shame. We don't get a lot of money for running these events and we can't afford any more damage to the tent. But you can't control the weather and we'll carry on and still have a great circus weekend.''

She said everybody who had paid to attend would have their money refunded, with entry tomorrow and Sunday by koha to help cover costs.