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.
[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] When Manners Mall was closed he started juggling on Lambton Quay outside a Westpac bank,[11] and also in Cuba Street.
[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.
[11] Wahrlich died on 16 May 2023, aged 67, in the Loafers Lodge fire in his hostel, which also caused the deaths of four others.