Toi Ora Live Art Trust

09/06/2026

Did you know our free and professional creative classes for people in mental health distress go beyond our creative studio in Grey Lynn?

Pictured is artwork from our Te Ata class in West Auckland. Te Ata is peer led community wellbeing centre, and every Tuesday morning, you'll find us there! 💜💜

Welcome to Toi Ora – Enhance your wellbeing through creativity. At Toi Ora, we provide a supportive and inclusive environment for people experiencing mental distress. Discover over 20 free classes in visual and performing arts, soak up open studio time...

02/06/2026

A very happy Hedieh, our Movement & Dance Tutor, with new class props 💜✨

26/05/2026

Happy NZ music month!

Here's some stats from the NeuroArts Blueprint on the effect music has on the brain.

💜Playing music at any age increases synapses and builds grey matter, which supports cognitive skills, learning, and social and emotional development.
💜Music reduces anxiety up to 44%, pain by 29%, and the reduction in needing pain medication by 24%.

So get jamming with your mates, or play your favourite Kiwi anthems. Our Toi Ora music artists and tutors will be able to tell you how good playing music makes them feel. 💜

25/05/2026

Come to our Toi Ora Gallery, and check out our latest exhibition from our Screenprinting Artists!

Already two red dots - congratulations on your sales, Matthew! Get in quick to get your original, affordable artwork 💜

On now until 12 June ✨

21/05/2026

Creativity is not a luxury; it is an essential part of wellbeing.

A two-hour creative class at Toi Ora costs around $60, compared with more than $2000 for an overnight hospital stay. Our new Toi Ora Impact Report 2024–25 highlights the effectiveness of creative programmes to boost wellbeing.

While acute mental health care remains essential, preventative and community-based approaches also matter. Creative spaces like Toi Ora are an important part of a holistic response to mental health in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We are deeply grateful to our Toi Ora whānau who make this work possible.

Read the report:

19/05/2026

We want to brag that Wendy sold her Freddie Mercury for $50! Go Wendy 💜✨
👀 p.s get your original, affordable artwork from the Toi Ora Gallery shop: https://toiora.org.nz/shop/

The Toi Ora Gallery Shop presents an opportunity to discover affordable, original art from emerging artists. Each piece represents a moment on an artist's journey of creativity for wellbeing. Consider making a purchase to show your support for Toi Ora artists.

13/05/2026

Did you know that Toi Ora offers creative classes beyond our Grey Lynn studio? Thanks to funding from Health NZ, we can offer two 'satellite' classes in the community.

Pictured is a Toi Ora painting and drawing class at Te Ata in West Auckland, a peer- led community support centre for people with mental health challenges.

Each week the group look at a different artist and uses it as inspiration for their own creations. We love everyone's work! 💜✨

12/05/2026

Our Toi Hono class got out into the fresh air to harvest harakeke.

Guided by tutor Lisa, the group learned tikanga about the importance of respect, sustainability and the elements of tapu surrounding harvesting harakeke.

They'll use their harvest in their art projects, and we can't wait to see what they create 💜✨

06/05/2026

We had a wonderful time at Printopia, selling just under $500 of Toi Ora artwork.

Our first sale of the day was from NZ artist Evan Woodruffe who bought 'Stinky Fart Face' by Haleigh Newth.

A big thank you to Joelle for running our stall 💜✨

04/05/2026

The shoe is on the other foot!
Come and see the creative pursuits of Toi Ora tutors and staff, the people who support our artists in their creativity and wellbeing journeys.

What: Staff & Tutor Exhibition
When: 11 - 22 May
Where: Toi Ora Gallery, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn

Artwork by our wonderful tutor EK!