Toi Aro faq’s

We at 3 Market Lane in June 2026!

Our Abel Smith Street lease finishes in June 2026. Unfortunately, we are unable to stay on in our current location. The current building has accessibility, layout issues and is no longer the best fit for us.

Market Lane offers sustainable, long-term support for the Wellington creative sector, in a high profile, central location.  A 20-year lease at Market Lane ensures we will be able to deliver long-term support for artists. 

The new site also aligns with the Council’s Aho Tini 2030 strategy and vision. 

We will formally acknowledge the history and legacy of Toi Pōneke at a Karakia Whakanoa & Closure Ceremony on Wednesday, 3 Pipiri / June 2026. 

This will mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next. 

Yes, Te Auaha was thoroughly investigated. To take this location on it would have significant additional cost, exceeding our budget and introducing operational complexities

Market Lane was selected as a fiscally responsible option aligned with the approved WCC Long-term Plan.

• Papawai - Dance Studio 1 — 58m² (capacity 50) 

• Paekawakawa - Dance Studio 2 — 74m² (capacity 50) 

• Poutama multi-purpose— 23m² (capacity 10) 

• Tupaia ki Te Aro - multi-purpose— 160m² (capacity 80) 

• Haumia ki Te Aro - Multi-purpose studio — 103m² (capacity 40) 

• Mutunga ki Te Aro cultural space – 83m² (capacity 60) 

• Hot desk spaces.  

More detail on these to come.

You will be able to use the spaces from Thursday 2 July 2026. 

BOOKABLE the online public booking system will go live 10 June. 

Bookings from 10 June will be via the Council’s centralised, public online booking system. This will allow you to book and review availability directly online.

Toi Aro | Bookable Wellington City Council

To uphold the creative kaupapa of Toi Aro, we will prioritise bookings from artists, creative practitioners, and kaupapa aligned with our values, moemoea (vision) “Catalyst for the Growth & Development of Wellington Artists”, and Tuakana–Teina model.  

If spaces are not booked closer to the date, they may be made available for broader community use. This honours both our sector obligations and the mātauranga embedded in our new whare. 

As a Wellington City Council facility, Toi Aro is committed to keeping hire rates accessible and affordable for our creative community.  

These rates are provisional and subject to the Annual Plan review, including Councillor review and public engagement. The sector and community will have the opportunity to provide feedback in April before final rates are confirmed.   

We welcome your participation in this process. Final rates will take effect from 1 July 2026.  

Unfortunately, space is very limited, so we will not be able to offer storage. 

We are working on a system that will allow for all our creative practitioners to use Toi Aro. Our multi-purpose space and our dance studios have been acoustically treated and are available for music rehearsals. This will be as a test and trial period for music rehearsals as we grow and learn about our rooms sound capacity, the spaces will be available for music rehearsal bookings from 5pm onwards

No, we are implementing a new prioritisation system for bookings so we must pass everyone through this system to make sure we are serving our community properly. This means that we are making a fresh start on all ongoing bookings.  

WCC has many other spaces/venues for hire which might be available when Toi isn’t. Listed below.

Creative spaces - Arts - Wellington City Council 

Community centre locations - Resources and facilities - Wellington City Council 

Council venues for hire - Resources and facilities - Wellington City Council 

When our online system is up and running you will be able to browse other locations hosted by WCC online.

Toi Aro has Two arts Offices and One Artist Studio. Please contact Manager grace.hoete@wcc.govt.nz 

Step-by-step guidance on how to apply is available on the Toi Pōneke website. Read the Application Guidelines which includes details and costs of the rental spaces available. 

Eligibility: Artists must reside in the Greater Wellington Region and applications must align with the Toi Aro vision and kaupapa. 

Artist studios: 1-year license (with an option to apply for another 1-year). 

Arts offices/Workshop space: 3-year license (with an option to apply for a further 3-years). 

Finishes in the arts offices are carpet tiles, artist studios will have vinyl flooring, exposed ceilings throughout  the building and a mix of glass/gib walls.

Spaces will not be fully soundproof, but sound transmission will be reduced as much as possible. 

All three levels are fully accessible with lifts, ramps, and accessible toilets and showers on each floor. 

For transport: secure bike storage on ground floor. There are metered parks on the street, including disability spaces, loading zones, and the James Smith Carpark nearby.

WellyWifi will be available throughout the building. (WellyWifi is generally not suitable for business on a day-to-day basis as it has limitations.) Rental spaces (Studios, Offices and Workshop space) will have infrastructure in place which will allow the licensee to plug in their own modems and arrange provision of internet through their chosen provider. 

This kaupapa is part of creating a supportive community for tenants in the Arts Centre by connecting emerging artists with support and guidance provided by established artists and organisations.

Applicants will identify if they are tuakana (established) or teina (emerging) in their application, and the type of support they offer, or are seeking.

This could involve mentoring, residencies, workshops or masterclass, sector-sharing activity.

The connections should be tuakana or teina led, considering opportunities to support each other. We will provide guidance and support for this to ensure that opportunities meet defined standards aligned to the kaupapa.

Opportunities provided by tuakana could be a one-off activity that happens throughout the term of your tenancy, e.g. supporting an emerging artist by giving advice, it is not expected to be an arduous task.

Read through the Tuakana-Teina Narrative Guide for more information.

Information is used solely to assess applications and manage license agreements.

Data is securely stored and only shared with relevant staff.

Governed by the Privacy Act 2002. Read more about privacy at WCC here https://wellington.govt.nz/contact-us/privacy-statement

To support inclusive processes and build a diverse Toi Pōneke community.

You may choose “prefer not to say” will not impact on your application in any way.

To ensure inclusivity and assess how Toi Aro can meet specific physical accessibility needs.