Dunedin Fire and Circus Club president Miguel Nitis was among the jugglers and said he was "pleased" with the turnout at the event, held near the band rotunda at the Dunedin Botanic Garden. More than 100 people had "cycled through" during the two-hour celebration.
Mr Nitis believed World Juggling Day had not previously been celebrated in the city, but the success of Saturday’s event, held in sunny conditions, augured well for the future.
"I imagine we’ll be putting it on every year," he said.
Mr Nitis, an electrical engineer who has been juggling seriously for the past 10 years, said juggling was "quite meditative", appealed to people of all age groups and required a delicate mix of "muscle memory" and thought.
Juggling had long been popular, and images depicting girls juggling had been found in ancient Egyptian tombs.
"It transcends culture and time," he said.
Juggling was a good way of escaping everyday cares and woes.
"When you get into the zone, the world drops away.
"You get a sense of elation when you develop a new trick."
