Mike the Juggler
Michael Eric Wahrlich | |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 June 1955 Wellington, New Zealand |
| Died | 16 May 2023 (aged 67) Newtown, Wellington |
| Cause of death | Homicide (Loafers Lodge fire) |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Other names | Mike the Juggler |
| Occupation | Juggler |
Michael Eric Wahrlich (1955–2023), better known as Mike the Juggler,[1] was a New Zealand busker who juggled tennis balls in the streets of Te Aro, Wellington for about three decades.[2] He was killed in the Loafers Lodge fire, which occurred in the hostel he lived in. A man was subsequently charged with arson and murder.
Early life
[edit]Wahrlich was born in Wellington Hospital on 27 June 1955 and grew up in Porirua.[1] He had four siblings: an older brother and three younger sisters.[3][1] He learned to juggle as a child with oranges and lemons from the kitchen.[4][1][5]
For some time Wahrlich attended Epuni Boys' Home in Lower Hutt near the start of its history, when it was run by the Ministry of Education.[6][7]
Career
[edit]After moving to Wellington, Wahrlich became a lawnmower for the Wellington City Council in the 1980s, and was later made redundant.[4][8][9]
In the late 90s, Wahrlich met a man playing the guitar in Manners Mall, and after seeing him succeed, Wahrlich decided that he would also entertain the public in Manners Mall, by juggling tennis balls.[2] He would often do this wearing a tracksuit,[10][11] or what RNZ described as a "Signature blue jumper and baggy pants".[6] When Manners Mall was closed he started juggling on Lambton Quay outside a Westpac bank,[11] and also in Cuba Street.[4]
Wahrlich was hospitalised in 2022 after being badly assaulted at his hostel,[11][1] and was discharged from hospital about a month later.[2] As a result of the assault, a 39-year-old was arrested and charged with intent to do bodily harm, and was remanded in custody.[12][13]
In 2022 Wellington City councillor Nicola Young described him as a "city institution", and another councillor, Laurie Foon, said "Mike has been on the streets of Wellington since most of us Wellingtonians can remember".[11]
Death
[edit]Wahrlich died on 16 May 2023, aged 67, in the Loafers Lodge fire in his hostel, which also caused the deaths of four others.[4][14][13] After his death was confirmed, flowers and three oranges representing juggling balls were placed on his usual juggling spot, outside the Westpac bank in Lampton Quay.[12][13] Over 200 people subsequently wrote messages for him on an online tribute book.[4] His funeral was open to the public and was held on 26 May.[10][9][1][12] It was attended by 120 people in person and 300 people online,[14] including Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau and Councillor Nureddin Abdurahman.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Chin, Frances (9 May 2024). "Street juggler's family invites community to attend funeral". Stuff. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Green, Kate (4 September 2022). "Wellington's juggling busker back in business after vicious assault". Dominion Post. Retrieved 9 May 2024 – via Stuff.
- ^ "Mourners farewell Loafers Lodge fire victim Mike 'The Juggler' Wahrlich". RNZ. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Wellington juggler Mike Wahrlich fondly remembered at funeral". 1News. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Mourners farewell Loafers Lodge fire victim Mike 'The Juggler' Wahrlich". RNZ. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ a b Cohen, David (26 May 2023). "How Mike Wahrlich became 'the juggler', and the lessons it leaves us". RNZ. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Long Read: How Mike Wahrlich became 'the juggler'". RNZ. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Hundreds attend funeral for Loafers fire victim Mike the Juggler". Newshub. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ a b Hunt, Tom (22 May 2023). "Street identity 'Mike the Juggler' among Loafers Lodge fire victims". Stuff. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ a b Thomas, Rachel (26 May 2023). "Wellington says goodbye to Loafers Lodge fire victim, Mike the Juggler". Stuff. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d Hunt, Tom (14 June 2022). "Popular juggling busker hospitalised after assault in Wellington". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 9 May 2024 – via Stuff.
- ^ a b c "Loafers Lodge fire: Open funeral to be held for Mike the Juggler killed in blaze". The New Zealand Herald. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Campbell, Georgina (24 May 2023). "Loafers Lodge fire: Wellingtonians invited to farewell Mike the Juggler". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Mourners farewell Loafers Lodge fire victim Mike 'The Juggler' Wahrlich". RNZ. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ Molyneux, Vita (26 May 2023). "Loafers Lodge fire: Wellingtonians farewell Mike the Juggler at open funeral". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 9 May 2024.