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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

Linnaeus: Prince of Flowers Comes to the Big Screen

More than two decades after it was first performed, ‘Linnaeus: Prince of Flowers’ is coming to the big screen…
Anthony Harper Summer Theatre – ‘The Complete Voyage of the RMS Titanic in 90 Minutes’
Climb aboard this irreverent retelling of the iconic voyage of the RMS Titanic, set locally in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Giving the Stage to Under 18s – Space Academy Opens up All Ages Gigs
Space Academy is starting the New Year with exciting news for the Under-18s…
Arts Advisors Look Back on 2024
The Toi Ōtautahi team would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday season – as we look back…
Outdoor Cinema is Back!
Outdoor cinema is back at The Arts Centre this summer…
SCAPE on all Summer!
Check out the new SCAPE season this December….
Experience the Wharenui Harikoa – House of Joy
Made from 5000 balls of brightly-coloured yarn and crotcheted by hand, this full size wharenui has been wowing audiences across…
Upcoming Events
23.01 2025

Festa Di Strada

2:00 PM – 4:00 pm
On Thursday 23 January the Teece is hosting Festa di Strada to celebrate welcoming 100,000 visitors to the Museum.
Teece Museum
24.01 – 02.02 2025

World Buskers Festival

7:00 PM
The World Buskers Festival is back for 2025, and we’re ready to fill Christchurch’s streets, venues, and public spaces with…
Various Locations
Opportunities

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…
Buskers Festival Needs YOU!
Volunteers needed for The World Buskers Festival…
Become a Creative Communities Assessor!
The Christchurch City Council is seeking nominations for new Creative Communities Assessors….
Registrations Open for Seasoned Dance 2025
Registrations are now open for Seasoned Dance 2025.
Kickstart an Artist’s Career with Springboard!
The Arts Foundation’s ‘Springboard’ is back for 2025. Help kickstart an artist’s career…
Ōtautahi in the News
Dillastrate Release a New Waiata – Māwherangi
Check out the NZ Herald’s story on Dillastrate’s new waiata Māwherangi…
Mt Fuji Comes to New Brighton
1News reports on Japanese mural painter, Morio Nakajima, who is painting Mt Fuji on a wall in New Brighton
Music Feature on RNZ: Jazz in the 21st Century
Christchurch saxophonist, Jimmy Rainey, on RNZ’s Afternoon show talking about jazz in the 21st century
The Remarkable Friendship of Iconic Architects Warren and Mahoney -RNZ’s Culture 101
Listen to Perlina Lau’s interview with Jane Mahoney and Rick Harvie on their moving film, ‘Maurice and I’
Ōhinehou Lyttelton with ceramicist Grace Uivel – RNZ
Listen to ceramist Grace Uivel on Culture 101 talking about her hometown of Lyttelton
People & Places

Cubbin Theatre Company

Cubbin Theatre Company is the only theatre group in Aotearoa making specific content for toddlers and babies and it’s home grown here in Christchurch…
Performance, Theatre
Blast from the Past
Dame Ngaio Marsh as Hamlet
Dame Ngaio Marsh as Hamlet, by WS Baverstock.
Literature, Performance
Creatively Christchurch
James Meharry – Radio DJ and Sonic Theorist
RDU’s James Meharry on creativity
Broadcasting, Music, Radio
News
Julia, U2 and Me – Matt Calman Reflects on the Power of Song
Matt Calman reflects on the power of music, when he catches up with Julia Deans during her recent performance of…
Music
Interview
Phil Keoghan -From Lincoln to the World.
The Amazing Race’s Phil Keoghan was born in Lincoln, find out how his early days in Christchurch shaped his career…
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