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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.

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
Events & Exhibitions | 8 July 2026

Immersive Opera is Becoming Toi Toi Opera’s Signature Move

Local opera company, Toi Toi Opera, is staging an immersive production of the beloved operetta The Merry Widow at The Atrium in the Tannery this month, in a special boutique ball-meets-opera experience.
Opera
Events & Exhibitions | 7 July 2026
E lē galo le tai // The tide is never forgotten -Curated by Brown Town
CoCA presents ‘E lē galo le tai // The tide is never forgotten’ -Curated by Brown Town. Opening July 10.
Festival | 29 June 2026
Lyttelton Arts Festival – Shining a Light on the Port’s Creativity
The Lyttelton Arts Festival is now in its fourth year, and every year the festival celebrates the creativity of the…
Performance
Art for Ukraine: Boosted Campaign
Art for Ukraine: Christchurch is a free public exhibition created to bring people closer to the human realities of the…
Events & Exhibitions | 1 July 2026
The National Presents Jen Alexandra’s Solo Exhibition, ‘Tie nine, to my design’
Jen Alexandra presents her solo exhibition, Tie nine, to my design – at The National – the final work in a series…
Festival, Gigs | 24 March 2026
Go Live Festival 2026
Now firmly established as a cornerstone event on the Christchurch cultural calendar, Go Live Festival brings generations of fans together…
Music
Events & Exhibitions | 21 June 2026
Graffiti Art Walking Tour With Ikarus
Street Art
Calendar of Events
14.07 2026

Wellbeing for Creatives

6:30 PM – 8:30 pm
Free monthly peer-supported space for Ōtautahi creatives that uses guided reflection, shared conversation and gentle wellbeing practices.
Toi Auaha Lounge, 5 Worcester Boulevard
18.07 2026

Mt Pleasant Pottery Group Exhibition

10:00 AM – 3:00 pm
Showcasing work by Mt Pleasant Pottery Club members and guest exhibitor Royce McGlashen.
Pottery Club Gallery at Te Papa Kura Redcliffs Park
19.07 2026

Asian Arts Festival

11:00 AM – 5:00 pm
A vibrant celebration of Asian arts and cultures, showcasing music, theatre, dance, comedy, workshops, food, art market, cultural performances, and…
The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora
22.07 2026

Akaroa Open Mic

6:30 PM – 9:30 pm
Akaroa Open Mic at The Common, Akaroa features original poetry by Erik Kennedy & original music by Lesley Meguid.
The Common, Akaroa
24.07 – 25.07 2026

The Merry Widow – Toi Toi Opera

7:30 PM
Waltz the night away at The Tannery Christchurch this July with Toi Toi Opera’s opulent, sparkling new production of Lehár’s…
The Tannery, 3 Garlands Road, Woolston
Opportunities
Opportunities & Proposals | 13 July 2026

Join CoCA’s Exhibition Programming Group

The Programming Group members are particularly interested to hear from artists with experience in performance, sound, moving image, and from emerging artists.
Opportunities & Proposals | 13 July 2026
British Council Culture Grants Open until August
Applications are open to creative practitioners, cultural professionals, artists, creative hubs, festivals, biennials, and organisations.
Opportunities & Proposals | 13 July 2026
Pushing Clay | Forsyth Barr Contemporary Ceramics Award
Arts Council Nelson and Forsyth Barr are thrilled to invite submissions for Pushing Clay – Forsyth Barr Ceramics Award and Exhibition…
Opportunities & Proposals | 6 April 2026
Expressions of Interest for Pasifika Production Internship Pilot
The Court Theatre and Creative NZ are calling for expressions of interest for the Pasifika Production Internship Pilot, running from…
Pasifika
Education and Courses
Courses and Classes | 8 July 2026

An Evening With Imogen McRae – A Journey in Rediscovering Traditional Crafts

Join Rekindle for an evening with craftsperson Imogen McRae as she shares her journey in rediscovering traditional handicrafts, particularly the tanning of hides to create beautiful natural leather.
Craft & Object
Movement Medicine with Morag Brownlie
A playful and inspiring exploration of Movement Medicine.
Courses and Classes | 21 June 2026
Paper Craft Workshop: Bookmaking Surprises!
In this creative workshop we will take inspiration from the artefacts in the UC Teece Museum and design our own…
Workshops | 10 June 2026
Mahi Ngātahi – Navigating Cultural Engagement in the Arts – A Toi Ōtautahi 2026 Arts Workshop
July’s Toi Ōtautahi Arts Workshop provides practical guidance on how to respectfully engage with mana whenua and tangata whenua in…

The Big Idea’s Toi Ōtautahi Dispatch – May

The Big Idea’s Toi Ōtautahi Dispatch – May

Toi Ōtautahi Dispatch is a new monthly column and partnership with The Big Idea. Each month we will bring you a roundup of what’s happening in the arts across Christchurch.  What’s going on, what’s been going on, and what’s coming up in our awesome city this month!

Click here to read the May edition!

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