new home faq’s

Toi Pōneke is moving to a new location: 3-6 Market Lane, opening June 2026.

This is an opportunity to re-imagine how the Arts Centre can build on the successes of the last 20 years to be a catalyst for Wellington’s arts sector for the next 20 years.

Until the move, Toi Pōneke is still open in Abel Smith Street with exhibitions, residencies and public programmes.

The current building has accessibility and layout issues.

The new site aligns with Aho Tini 2030 strategy and vision.

Toi Pōneke needed to relocate as the lease was due for final right of renewal. The Abel Smith Street lease will terminate in June 2026.

The new 20-year lease at Market Lane ensures long-term support for artists.

Market Lane offers a sustainable, long-term (20 year) solution in a high profile, central location.

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. 

Te Auaha was thoroughly investigated however it would have significant additional cost, exceeding budget and introducing operational complexities

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

Moemoeā | Vision: A catalyst for the growth and development of Wellington artists.

Kaupapa: Tuakana-Teina kaupapa, connecting established artists and organisations with emerging artists, to foster mentorship and collaboration.

Licensed rental spaces for artists and organisations.

Supportive community and dynamic, managed spaces.

Tuakana-led initiatives and operational redesign.

Mana whenua kawa tikanga input and guidance.

Kani Kani 1 — Dance Studio 1 (58m²) 

Kani Kani 2 — Dance Studio 2 (74m²) 

Nau Mai | Pōwhiri Space (84m²) 

Whakaari — Drama Studio (103m²) 

Poutama — Small Presentation Space (23m²) 

Mareikura — Multipurpose Event Space (134m²) Bullnose 

Hot Desks  

More details to come soon!

You will be able to use the spaces from Monday 29 June 2026. 

Bookings will be open via a booking form in March 2026. 

For our first bookings we will have an online form available in March 2026. 

For future bookings a centralised, public online booking system for Council-wide casual hire is currently in development and will be introduced for Toi Pōneke bookings later in the year. This will allow you to book and review availability directly online. This system will be available in May 2026, but we will keep you in the loop on exact dates and details closer to the time. 

On our website you will be able to: 

• browse spaces online 

• check real-time availability 

• submit bookings directly 

• receive automated confirmation emails 

• manage or amend bookings digitally 

The system will be available in May 2026, but we will keep you in the loop on exact dates and details closer to the time. 

If you are interested in being contacted when bookings go live, sign up to our mailing list!  

Sign up to Toi Poneke Arts Centre Mailing List. 

All bookings will still need to be approved by reception and are subject to our Terms and Conditions. 

To uphold the creative kaupapa of Market Lane, 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 Pōneke is committed to keeping hire rates accessible and affordable for our creative community. 

The draft rates for hireable spaces will be available when bookings open in March (for use from 29 June 2026).  

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 29 June 2026. 

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

ItWe are working on a system that will allow for all our creative practitioners to use Market Lane but until we fully understand the sound capacity of the new rooms will be in a test and trial period where we will be booking music rehearsals in after 5:30pm (subject to room availability). 

We are keen to keep supporting our Music community and are interested to support/promote any ongoing or new rehearsal spaces for musicians (further detail to follow). 

We are implementing a new prioritisation system for bookings (details on this in “Who can book at Market Lane?”) 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.

First, check the Toi Pōneke Applications page.

For further questions, email: ToiApplications@wcc.govt.nz

Applications closed on Sunday 28th September 2026

After applications close (28/9/25) the assessment process (shortlisting and interviews) follows. Applicants will be contacted and results published at the beginning of December 2025.

The panel is an Arts Peer assessment panel including Mana Whenua representative and arts sector experts.

9 artist studios, 7 arts offices and 1 workshop space.

Tenancy applications for artist studios, arts offices and workshop space in Market Lane open Wed. 27 Aug – Sun. 28 Sep 2025.

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

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

Tours of the building interior are available Tues. 2 Sept & Wed. 3 Sep before the fit-out starts. Booking on the Toi Pōneke website.

Detailed maps of all three floors are currently on the website. There will be a walkthrough video available on the website soon.

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).

Rental rates: are available in the application guidelines on the website, artists studios are $8.67/m²/week + GST, includes utilities and WellyWifi.

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 nearby car parks. James Smiths Carpark is scheduled to reopen before the new Arts Centre opens.

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 Pōneke can meet specific physical accessibility needs.