Whether you're creating, collaborating, teaching, or performing, Toi Aro offers a range of adaptable venues designed to support:
rehearsals and creative development
workshops and wānanga
presentations and performances
exhibitions and events
learning and group activities
Browse availability, select a venue, and submit your booking online through Wellington City Council's Bookable platform.
Looking for a permanent creative base? We also offer licensed studio and office spaces for artists, creative practitioners, and creative organisations.
Purpose-designed spaces
Find a space through Bookable today!
Dance Studio 1Gathering and events space
Versatile spaces for performances, exhibitions, functions, wānanga, and community events.
LEVEL 2
Tūpaia ki Te Aro
Available after 5.30pm weekdays and all-day weekends.
Tupaia ki Te Aro reflects the mana and significance of this space as a place of leadership, expression, and connection.
This multi-purpose event and presentation space is located in the prominent wedge-shaped area of the building with a fully functional showroom kitchen and a compact green room. With curved windows and a highly visible public presence, the space is designed for performance, workshops, functions, and boutique-scale events.
Size 134 m² Capacity Up to 50 seated · 80 standing
Key features
Fully functional showroom kitchen (26m²)
Accessible
Flexible layout
With curved windows and a highly visible public presence
Portable PA system including two microphones with stands (upon request)
Data projector and intelligent lighting fixtures (upon request)
Dance & movement spaces
Three hireable dance studio configurations — two individual rooms and a combined option — all with timber floors and mirrors.
GROUND FLOOR
Papawai — Dance Studio 1
Dance Studio · Individual Room
A purpose-built rehearsal studio for dance, theatre, and movement-based practice. Featuring wall-mounted mirrors, excellent acoustics, and a premium sprung floor, the space is designed to support both individual and group use.
The studio includes a Junckers Unobat 45 Sport Floor System — an A4-rated sprung floor that provides exceptional comfort, safety, and performance for dance, physical theatre, and professional rehearsal work.
Size 58 m² Capacity Up to 50.
Key features
Bluetooth audio system
Accessible
Ventilation
Junckers Unobat 45 Sport Floor System
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Paekawakawa — Dance Studio 2
Dance Studio · Individual Room
A spacious dance studio for rehearsals, classes, choreography, and creative development. Featuring wall-mounted mirrors, excellent acoustics, and a premium sprung floor, the space supports both individual and group use.
The studio includes a Junckers Unobat 45 Sport Floor System — an A4-rated sprung floor designed for dance, high-impact movement, and professional rehearsal work.
Size 74 m² Capacity Up to 50.
Key features
Bluetooth audio system
Accessible
Ventilation
Junckers Unobat 45 Sport Floor System
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Papawai and Paekawakawa — Combined Dance Studio
Dance Studio · Combined Configuration
A large open studio created by opening both dance spaces together. Ideal for larger rehearsals, intensives and creative development.
Size 132 m² Capacity Up to 50.
Key features
Bluetooth audio system
Accessible
Ventilation
Junckers Unobat 45 Sport Floor System
Cultural Space
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Mutunga ki Te Aro
Cultural Space · Pōwhiri · Performance · Workshops
Mutunga ki Te Aro is a cultural gathering space designed for pōwhiri, performances, workshops, and wānanga. Featuring a 4.5m screen wall and data projector, it supports both cultural and presentation-based activity, providing a welcoming environment for learning, connection, and shared experiences.
Size 84 m²
Capacity Up to 60 seated. 100 standing.
Key features
10m² wooden stage (30cm high)
Accessible
Flexible seating
5.5m acoustic wall (STC 47)
95% blackout blinds
4.5m screen wall and data projector
Basic speaker setup with microphones and stand (upon request)
Multi-purpose & drama spaces
Flexible studios for drama, classroom learning, workshops, and community use.
LEVEL 2
Haumia ki Te Aro
Full black out · Multi-purpose studio
The multi-purpose studio is a flexible black box space designed for rehearsals, art-making workshops, wānanga, and classroom-style learning. It can be configured to support a range of activities, including drama, facilitation, training, and creative development, making it suitable for both arts and community use.
Size 103 m² Capacity Up to 50.
Key features
Accessible
Combinable with Poutama
Mounted lighting bar
2 moving-head lighting fixtures
Data projector (upon request)
Portable PA sound system including two microphones with stands (upon request). There is no fixed AV system.
LEVEL 2
Poutama
Presentation Room · Individual Room
Poutama is a compact and adaptable space suited to presentations, rehearsal observation, meetings, and focused creative work. Ideal for smaller groups, it provides an environment for development, discussion, and low-scale activity..
Size 23 m² Capacity Up to 10 people.
Key features
Natural light
Combinable with Haumia ki Te Aro space
Intimate space
Data projector and screen wall
Whiteboard
LEVEL 2
Haumia ki Toi Aro + Poutama Combined
Multi-purpose space · Flexible layout
The combined performance space creates a large, open performance environment by joining the Haumia ki Te Aro-multipurpose studio and Poutama space through an operable wall.
Size 162 m². Capacity Up to 50 people.
Key features
Accessible
Flexible layout
Combinable dividing space
Mounted lighting bar
2 moving-head lighting fixtures
Data projector (upon request)
Portable PA sound system including two microphones with stands (upon request). There is no fixed AV system.
Licensed Rental Spaces
Available now
A limited number of licensed studio and office spaces are currently available. Explore the spaces below to learn more about each opportunity and find your place within Toi Aro's vibrant creative community.
LEVEL 2
Te Hau Pūkerikeri
Size 33 m² Capacity Up to 6 people
Key features
Power and lighting
Secure access
Shared kitchen facilities
Shared bathroom facilities
Wi-Fi
Accessible building
Close to public transport
LEVEL 2
Te Hau Āwhiowhio
Size 30 m² Capacity Up to 6 people
Key features
Power and lighting
Secure access
Shared kitchen facilities
Shared bathroom facilities
Wi-Fi
Accessible building
Close to public transport
LEVEL 2
Whiri
Artist Studio
Size 16 m² Capacity Up to 1 person
Key features
Power and lighting
Secure access
Shared kitchen facilities
Shared bathroom facilities
Wi-Fi
Accessible building
Close to public transport
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Toi Aro is first and foremost a creative arts facility.
Priority will be given to:
artists and creative practitioners
arts-led activity
kaupapa aligned with Aho Tini and creative purpose
activity that supports the growth and development of Wellington artists
In off-peak periods or where rooms are under-booked, they may be made available for wider community and non-arts activity.
This approach helps us balance strong support for the arts sector with flexible access for the wider community.
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As a Wellington City Council facility, we are committed to keeping hire rates accessible and affordable while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the space. Our hire rates will be reviewed annually within Wellington City Council’s Annual Plan process.
Customer Rate Types:
Toi Concessionary Rate: Used by Community Arts and the Wellington Arts Sector for Unfunded or Concessionary Arts Practice.
Professional Arts Practice: Used by Wellington Arts Sector for Professional Arts Practice or funded practice.
Commercial/Non-Art Rate: Use for Commercial, Corporate and Non-Arts Purposes.
Note: Rates are inclusive of GST
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Toi Aro is inclusive and physically accessible for all communities.
The building includes:
wheelchair-accessible entry
lift access across all levels
accessible bathrooms
nearby mobility parking
bike access nearby
If you have specific access needs, please contact us before your visit and we’ll be happy to assist.
Need help?
Not sure which space is right for your rehearsal, workshop, hui, performance or event? Our team is happy to help.
Contact Toi Aro
Phone: +64 4 385 1929
Email: artscentre@wcc.govt.nz
Or book online anytime via Bookable.