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Nau Mai, Haere Mai
Mā te pohewa mā te auaha hoki, ka whakapuaki ngā kura e huna ana. With imagination and creativity a hidden jewel can be revealed. Welcome to Toi Ōtautahi.

Nau Mai, Welcome to Toi Ōtautahi – The virtual arts office for Ōtautahi, Christchurch.

Toi Ōtautahi is a partnership project between Christchurch City Council, Creative NZ, Rātā Foundation, Mana Whenua, and Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture and Heritage.

Christchurch has produced some of this country’s best known and most celebrated artists and artworks, and Ōtautahi continues to be a place where innovation and radical creativity flourishes. We are unapologetic supporters and champions for the significant role the city and its creatives have played, and continue to play in Aotearoa.

We want this site to celebrate all that is creative in the city and its wider environs and we want you to be part of it. Whether you’re a creative, an organisation, an audience member, a supporter or a visitor to this city, let us know what we can do to help make Ōtautahi the best city for creativity in Aotearoa.

Latest News
Workshops

The Insiders Guide to Screenwriting with Nick Ward – Register Now for March Workshop

Join one of New Zealand’s most prolific and versatile screenwriters, Nick Ward, for an exclusive two-day workshop. 
Film and Moving Image, Writing for Screen
Events & Exhibitions
The Agnes Dei Collection, a Solo Exhibition by Nichola Shanley
Objectspace presents Nicola Shanley’s Agnes Dei Exhibition…
Visual Arts
Education & Workshops
Toi Ōtautahi 1st Wednesdays Arts Workshops – 2025
Make a standing booking in your diary for the first Wednesday of every month, for the Toi Ōtautahi free arts…
News
Introducing The Arts Centre’s 2025 Company-in-Residence…
The remarkable Cubbin Theatre will be Company-in-Residence at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre for 2025.
Theatre
Workshops
The Physics Room Masterclass: Scriptwriting workshop with Tarren Johnson and Joel Cocks
The Physics Room Masterclass: Scriptwriting workshop with Tarren Johnson and Joel Cocks – Saturday 8 February from 11am at Toi Auaha, 5…
Writing for Screen
Education & Workshops
Watercolour Workshops and Creative Retreat
Botanical Watercolour Workshop and creative retreat with Julia Holderness and the Make Studio
Visual Arts
Events & Exhibitions
Rear Window at the Green Room
Hugo Van Dorsser and Catarina Arnhold present their new exhibition, ‘Rear Window’ at the Green Room…
Visual Arts

SPOTLIGHT ON: FLARE STREET ART FESTIVAL

SPOTLIGHT ON: FLARE STREET ART FESTIVAL

A 10-day mural festival featuring eight large-scale murals, citywide activations, street art tours, workshops, and creative events for all!

Experience a vibrant 10-day mural festival that transforms Ōtautahi into a dynamic canvas!

Featuring eight stunning large-scale murals painted by renowned artists from around the motu, this festival celebrates creativity and culture across the city.

Alongside these breathtaking artworks, immerse yourself in a range of activations, including guided street art tours, interactive workshops, a lively mural and graffiti jam, and panel talks with leading artists.

Join us to celebrate art, engage with the community, and see Ōtautahi come alive like never before!

Upcoming Events
08.02 2025

Mitre 10 Sparks 2025

6:30 PM – 9:30 pm
Get your friends and whānau together to celebrate the 42nd year at our city’s dazzling fireworks extravaganza, featuring the Christchurch Symphony…
North Hagley Park
09.02 2025

Free Theatre’s Free Workshop

10:00 AM – 12:00 pm
An introduction to the tradition, making and performance practice of Punch and Judy puppets. 
Climate Action Campus, 180 Avonside Drive, Avonside
15.02 2025

Clochella – Art Auction and Live Music Fundraiser

4:00 PM – 9:00 pm
Art auction and live music fundraiser at Space Academy
Space Academy
17.02 2025

Parallax – Heather Webb’s Masters Recital

7:00 PM – 9:00 pm
Heather Webb presents her Masters recital. A playful exploration of the crossover (and blindspots) between astrophysics, outer space, musical theory,…
Ron Ball Studio
23.02 2025

Bohemian Baroque Tour

7:00 PM – 8:30 pm
Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of 17th-century Bohemia with the “Bohemian Baroque” South Island Concert Tour, an…
The Piano
Opportunities
Opportunities & Proposals

Stage Manager Position at The Court Theatre

The Court Theatre is on the hunt for a full time Stage Manager…
Theatre
Opportunities & Proposals
Stoddart Cottage Announces Artist Residency
Stoddart Cottage is again offering an artist’s retreat in partnership with the artist-owner of Karearea Cottage in Purau.
Visual Arts
Education & Workshops
Watercolour Workshops and Creative Retreat
Botanical Watercolour Workshop and creative retreat with Julia Holderness and the Make Studio
Visual Arts
Funding
Apply Now for Creative Communities Funding
Creative Communities funding is open until 23 February – Get your application in now.
Be a Volunteer for Port Noise!
Port Noise Festival is on the lookout or volunteers…
Photosynthesis’ Monthly Project Night
Photosynthesis is looking for artists who want to be part of their monthly Project night…
Become a Creative Communities Assessor!
The Christchurch City Council is seeking nominations for new Creative Communities Assessors….

SPOTLIGHT ON: Ōtautahi in the News

SPOTLIGHT ON: Ōtautahi in the News

Holly Arrowsmith: ‘If I wasn’t a musician I would cut all ties with social media happily’

Fans of folk music often get stuck in nostalgia for artists of the 60s and 70s, says Holly Arrowsmith, but there is recent stuff that’s also really good.

To celebrate contemporary folk music that’s not what her dad would call ‘shallow’, the Christchurch singer-songwriter shares six of her favourite songs on The Mixtape.

You can listen to Holly’s interview with Charlotte Ryan on Radio NZ by clicking below!

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Wider Ōtautahi

FROM THE ARCHIVE: Tainui Stephens

FROM THE ARCHIVE: Tainui Stephens

Storyteller Tainui Stephens is a New Zealand screen taonga. He has played a crucial role in telling some of Aotearoa’s most important stories. The New Zealand Wars, Māori Battalion  – March to war, When the Haka became Boogie, and The River Queen are just a few of the productions he’s been involved in.

He spoke to us about his career so far, the importance of telling your own story and how his early life in Ōtautahi helped shape his own story.

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