by Rose Rees-Owen | Oct 14, 2025 | News & Blog
Toi Ora Director Susanne Ritzenhoff sat down with Seeds podcast host Steven Moe to talk about the transformative power of creativity, how perfection can lead to inaction, and how everyone can incorporate more creativity into their day to day. Listen to their...
by Rose Rees-Owen | Sep 10, 2025 | News & Blog
For over 30 years, Toi Ora has transformed hundreds of lives through the power of its creative classes. Now, with the launch of our awareness and fundraising campaign Art is Our Anchor, we are sharing Toi Ora’s impact with Aotearoa. Meet three of our artists Ross,...
by Rose Rees-Owen | Aug 25, 2025 | News & Blog
Toi Ora now has two Artist Liaisons with Bailey Wiley joining the team. A musician herself, she knows the healing power of creativity and is currently studying towards a masters in art therapy Tell us a bit about yourself and your background? I identify as Pākehā and...
by Rose Rees-Owen | Jul 24, 2025 | News & Blog
Lisa’s healing and creative practice wrapped in mātauranga Māori led her to be the Toi Hono tutor at Toi Ora. She says stepping into the space felt like ‘a warm hug’. Tell us a bit about yourself and your background? Ko Te Weraiti tōku maunga,Te Tainui tōku waka,Ko...
by Samara Azam | Jun 26, 2025 | News & Blog
Artist Raymond has been coming to Toi Ora for about 20 years, and during that time, he’s improved his technique and isn’t afraid to try new things. What has your experience been like at Toi Ora?I’ve learnt water colour painting from Michelle as well as...
by Rose Rees-Owen | May 26, 2025 | News & Blog
From coming to Toi Ora with her Dad as a child, to joining the team. Meet our new Artist Liaison Joelle Reid. Tell us a bit about yourself and your background?I’m mainly a painter and illustrator, but I love trying out different art forms. I’ve worked in...
by Rose Rees-Owen | Apr 29, 2025 | News & Blog
This impressive large-scale painting by Rob Iehu-Moetara, may never have been created if Rob hadn’t followed his curiosity. Rob joined Toi Ora about five months ago and originally came for music class until the painting class caught his eye. He was introduced to Toi...
by Samara Azam | Mar 26, 2025 | News & Blog
Did you see Toi Ora in the news? Our director Susanne Ritzenhoff, and Toi Ora artist Ben Stewart spoke to RNZ for a story about the collaboration between Toi Ora and the Kāinga Tiaki Centre. Read the full story.
by Samara Azam | Feb 17, 2025 | News & Blog
Insights and reflections on mental wellbeing and the role of the arts Recently QWB Lab’s Senior Consultant Linda Gilbert sat down with Susanne Ritzenhoff, Director of Toi Ora Live Trust. The concept of Toi Ora translates as ‘where we source our health from and...
by Samara Azam | Feb 17, 2025 | News & Blog
Read Toi Ora artists Keith Hopkins story below: I’m now 73, at the age of 60 I suffered a major brain aneurysm, that nearly killed me. After four major brain surgeries, a month in a coma, and four months in rehab relearning basic care skills, e.g dressing one’s self,...
