Wellington’s newest arts and cultural hub is beginning to come alive, with artists, performers and creative organisations already moving into Toi Aro and transforming the space into a vibrant centre for artistic expression and collaboration.
Located at 3 Market Lane in central Wellington, Toi Aro represents the next chapter in the city’s commitment to supporting the arts, building on the legacy of the much-loved Toi Pōneke Arts Centre, which nurtured generations of artists across theatre, dance, music, literature, visual arts and film.
The new centre has welcomed its first residents, with creative development, rehearsals and artistic projects already underway inside the purpose-built facility.
The public is also beginning to experience what Toi Aro has to offer, with its opening programme featuring a diverse range of events, exhibitions and performances.
Leading the launch programme is Waenga, a powerful production by Māori theatre company Te Rākau Hua o Te Wao Tapu, presented in partnership with Hurō Productions. The work marks the first major public event at the centre and reflects Toi Aro’s commitment to supporting Māori storytelling and indigenous creative voices.
Dance is also playing a significant role in the centre’s early life. Artists participating in the Pōneke Festival of Contemporary Dance residency programme are using the facility to develop and showcase new work in partnership with Footnote New Zealand Dance and the Hannah Playhouse.
Meanwhile, Te Ara Toi Gallery will host its inaugural exhibition from July through October, featuring works by a distinguished group of mana whenua artists including Erenora Puketapu-Hetet, Ariki Brightwell, Hinemoana Baker, Elena Rei and Kauia Moriarty.
The exhibition is expected to highlight the rich artistic traditions and contemporary perspectives of mana whenua creatives while establishing the gallery as an important platform for indigenous art.
A range of resident organisations have also established themselves within the centre, including SOUNZ, Kavanah Productions, Arts Access Aotearoa, Workspace Studios, NZ Comedy School and Dead Teapot Ltd.
Together with independent artists, they are helping create a thriving creative ecosystem designed to foster collaboration, mentorship and innovation.
A key feature of Toi Aro is its tuakana-teina approach, encouraging experienced practitioners to support emerging artists while strengthening intergenerational knowledge-sharing within the creative sector.
The facility offers artist studios, office spaces, exhibition opportunities, artist residencies and a variety of public programmes, workshops, classes and wānanga.
Wellington City Council says the vision for Toi Aro is to provide a dynamic space where artists can create, learn, collaborate and connect with the wider community.
As the centre’s first residents settle in and its public programme expands, Toi Aro is already emerging as an important cultural destination for Pōneke and a significant investment in the future of New Zealand’s creative sector.
With Māori artists, community organisations and creative practitioners at its heart, the new centre aims to become a place where artistic excellence, cultural expression and community connection flourish together.
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