Toi Aro

Toi Aro Nurturing Wellington's creative community since 2005. Toi Poneke Arts Centre is Wellington's creative space to meet, work, rehearse and exhibit.
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Toi Poneke nurtures early-career arts practitioners, creative businesses and arts organisations. We host around 15 exhibitions a year and admission to the gallery is free.

What's Your Story? An Intro to storytelling.WorkshopTues 15 Sept, 6 - 9pmToi Aro - Tupaia Ki Te AroKoha/$20"Storytelling...
11/09/2026

What's Your Story? An Intro to storytelling.
Workshop
Tues 15 Sept, 6 - 9pm
Toi Aro - Tupaia Ki Te Aro
Koha/$20
"Storytelling" is one of the keys to being a good artist. The art of storytelling is also essential for fundraising, marketing, pitching, presentations, job interviews, and so much more. However, not everyone can tell you what a story is and how to tell it effectively.

Join Neil Thornton, award-winning teacher, comedian, and writer, for a 3-hour introduction to the art of storytelling, the true kind, drawn from your own life.

This is a broader version of the storytelling class Neil usually teaches. Same content, wider aim: come whether you want to get on stage or just want your pitch to land or your grant to be funded

For more info and to book:
https://www.toiaro.nz/whats-on/whats-your-story-an-introduction-to-storytelling

Ever imagined your work unfolding somewhere a little different? A space that moves with your work? From within Te Whare ...
09/09/2026

Ever imagined your work unfolding somewhere a little different? A space that moves with your work? From within Te Whare a Nuku at Toi Aro Arts Centre, we're inviting artists, mentors, collaborators, and creative communities to imagine what could happen in our evolving gallery space.

We are seeking exhibitions grounded in relationship, community, and connection to place. Successful applicants receive:

✨ 4-week exhibition
✨ materials grant
✨ Curatorial and promotional support
✨ paid public engagement opportunities

Applications now open.
Appy at toiaro.nz

📢📢AROTAHI RINGATOI/ARTIST SPOTLIGHT📢📢Keri-Mei Zagrobelna is a full-time jeweller and multidisciplinary artist based in T...
07/09/2026

📢📢AROTAHI RINGATOI/ARTIST SPOTLIGHT📢📢
Keri-Mei Zagrobelna is a full-time jeweller and multidisciplinary artist based in Te
Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. Alongside her creative practice, she works as a jewellery tutor and arts mentor, supporting the next generation of makers.
Her work is deeply rooted in a contemporary Māori worldview, with iwi affiliations to Te Āti Awa and Whānau-ā-Apanui. Drawing on a rich upbringing immersed in museums and the arts, Keri-Mei creates expressive, story-driven pieces that bridge adornment and visual art. While jewellery remains her primary passion, her practice also spans murals, sculpture, carving, photography, and installation.

Keri-Mei will be speaking about her mahi toi on Wed 16 Sept from 5 - 7pm at Toi Aro. Free to attend and there will be live music by Rameka Tamaki and Brooke Wharehinga.

What's Your Story? An Intro to storytelling.WorkshopTues 15 Sept, 6 - 9pmToi Aro - Tupaia Ki Te AroKoha/$20"Storytelling...
01/09/2026

What's Your Story? An Intro to storytelling.
Workshop
Tues 15 Sept, 6 - 9pm
Toi Aro - Tupaia Ki Te Aro
Koha/$20
"Storytelling" is one of the keys to being a good artist. The art of storytelling is also essential for fundraising, marketing, pitching, presentations, job interviews, and so much more. However, not everyone can tell you what a story is and how to tell it effectively.

Join Neil Thornton, award-winning teacher, comedian, and writer, for a 3-hour introduction to the art of storytelling, the true kind, drawn from your own life.

This is a broader version of the storytelling class Neil usually teaches. Same content, wider aim: come whether you want to get on stage or just want your pitch to land or your grant to be funded

For more info and to book:
https://www.toiaro.nz/whats-on/whats-your-story-an-introduction-to-storytelling

Call for Applications:Toi Aro d/Deaf and/or Disabled Artist Development ResidencyThe Residency will run from 26 Oct – 20...
01/09/2026

Call for Applications:

Toi Aro d/Deaf and/or Disabled Artist Development Residency

The Residency will run from 26 Oct – 20 Dec 2026 (8 weeks)

‍Applications close – 5pm, Tuesday 15 September 2026

‍This opportunity is open to one d/Deaf and/or disabled artist based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, to develop new work for 8 weeks part time. You will be given a studio to develop your art practice and a stipend of $3750 before tax.

‍You will have access to a paid interpreter/mentor/ other support person of your choice depending on your needs.

For more info and to apply:
https://www.toiaro.nz/residencies

Front of House Accessibility Training workshopMon 5 October 20261.30pm – 4.30pmFreeLearn how to provide an accessible, d...
18/08/2026

Front of House Accessibility Training workshop
Mon 5 October 2026
1.30pm – 4.30pm
Free

Learn how to provide an accessible, dignified and equitable events experience to all visitors, and gain more confidence in your abilities to meet the needs of Deaf and disabled people. For all levels of experience with accessibility in the arts, the session is ideal for theatre, venue and event staff, and anyone working in front of house and customer facing roles in the arts.

Workshop facilitated by Katie Querin from Arts Access Aotearoa

For more info and to reserve your spot:
https://www.toiaro.nz/whats-on/front-of-house-accessibility-training

For Māori Music Month, Toi Aro is teaming up with SOUNZ to screen some Māori Music from Tue 11 – Mon 31 Here-Turi-Kōka, ...
06/08/2026

For Māori Music Month, Toi Aro is teaming up with SOUNZ to screen some Māori Music from Tue 11 – Mon 31 Here-Turi-Kōka, August. During office hours visitors will experience documented live performances by Komako Silver, Ariana Tikao, Dylan Lardelli, Dr Ruby Solly, Jerome Kavanagh Poutama and many, many more. Toi Aro is grateful to SOUNZ () Films (funded by NZ On Air () for sharing this large selection of taonga pūoro and giving us the opportunity to share it with our communities.

Toi Aro is open from 10am-8pm on weekdays and 10am-4pm weekends.
We hope to see you here! Hei konā!

Image credits:
Image 2: Ariana Tikao (cropped still).
Rēkohu, Kōrorohu and Waiting by Alistair Fraser and Phil Boniface.
Performed by Phil Boniface, Alistair Fraser, Ruby Solly, and Ariana Tikao.

Image 3: Dylan Lardelli and Ingrid Bauer (cropped still)
Musical Box by Dylan Lardelli
Performed by Stroma: Dylan Lardelli (guitar), Ingrid Bauer (harp), and Andrew Thomson (viola)

Image 4: Jerome Kavanagh Poutama (cropped still)
Papatūānuku by Salina Fisher and Jerome Kavanagh Poutama
Performed by Jerome Kavanagh Poutama with the Auckland Philharmonia (conductor Vincent Hardaker).

Kia ora!Due to staffing shortages, reception will be closed Friday 31/07, and the Arts Centre will be closed to public S...
30/07/2026

Kia ora!

Due to staffing shortages, reception will be closed Friday 31/07, and the Arts Centre will be closed to public Saturday 01/08 and Sunday 02/08.

If you have any reception enquiries or have bookings over the weekend and require access, please contact reception before 8pm tonight 30/07.

Noho ora mai,

AROTAHI RINGATOI // Artist profile 📢📢Taupuruariki (Ariki) Brightwell (Ngati Toa Rangatira, Ngati Huia, Ngati Whakaue, Ro...
23/07/2026

AROTAHI RINGATOI // Artist profile 📢📢

Taupuruariki (Ariki) Brightwell (Ngati Toa Rangatira, Ngati Huia, Ngati Whakaue, Rongowhakaata, Tahiti) is an indigenous artist of Māori, Tahitian and Rarotongan descent. She is a 27th generation artist with a deep passion for creativity, history and storytelling giving a sense of duty to pass on the legacy of art in Te Ao Māori.

For The First Exhibitiong Taupuruariki Brightwell present Te Māreikura. On until 15 October. 📸Renati Waaka

Address

3 Market Lane
Wellington
6011

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 8pm
Tuesday 10am - 8pm
Wednesday 10am - 8pm
Thursday 10am - 8pm
Friday 10am - 8pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+6443851929

Website

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