About Us
Founded in 2019, Toi Ako Te Kauwhata is a community arts initiative committed to bringing the community together through creativity. We work across many artforms and modalities to deliver classes, programmes and events for, and with, people of all ages and abilities. We believe in creativity, art and culture as a platform for the development of new skills, self expression, community cohesion, wellbeing and social change.
We are a not for profit organisation governed and supported by the Te Kauwhata Community House. Our Creative Art Therapies complement the range of counselling and social services options available at the Community House.
Find us at Toi Ako Artspace underneath St Margaret's Church Hall, 3 Waerenga Rd, Te Kauwhata. Carparking is available at the very bottom of the drive way to the left of the church. Please note we are only open for scheduled classes and by arrangement. You may also find us out and about in Te Kauwhata and Districts with our Arts in the Community and District Outreach Programmes.
Feel free to contact us at - [email protected] / 021 222 5682.
We are a not for profit organisation governed and supported by the Te Kauwhata Community House. Our Creative Art Therapies complement the range of counselling and social services options available at the Community House.
Find us at Toi Ako Artspace underneath St Margaret's Church Hall, 3 Waerenga Rd, Te Kauwhata. Carparking is available at the very bottom of the drive way to the left of the church. Please note we are only open for scheduled classes and by arrangement. You may also find us out and about in Te Kauwhata and Districts with our Arts in the Community and District Outreach Programmes.
Feel free to contact us at - [email protected] / 021 222 5682.
Our People
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Lauren Hughes – Toi Ako Manager & Creative Arts Therapist Lauren is a TK local, registered Creative Arts Therapist, and has an extensive background in professional arts and event management. Career highlights include:
Since moving to Te Kauwhata in 2004 Lauren has become deeply connected to the community while raising her three sons here. She enjoys supporting others succeed on their own terms and is also passionate about the connection between creativity and wellbeing. |
Lisa Chicken - Programme Lead
Lisa holds a degree in design and has worked as a photographer. Today her creative practice is primarily illustration but she is also a children's face painter. Lisa leads rangatahi programmes and supports children and whanau programmes.
Lisa holds a degree in design and has worked as a photographer. Today her creative practice is primarily illustration but she is also a children's face painter. Lisa leads rangatahi programmes and supports children and whanau programmes.
Sandra Pace - Choir Director (Plus comedy and drama diva)
Sandra comes to us with a degree in theatre and education, a love of musical theatre, years of dancing and teaching West-Coast Swing and a burgeoning career in stand up comedy. She is a much loved, mad-capped addition to our teaching team.
Sandra comes to us with a degree in theatre and education, a love of musical theatre, years of dancing and teaching West-Coast Swing and a burgeoning career in stand up comedy. She is a much loved, mad-capped addition to our teaching team.
Gail Hosken - Kaiako, Te Reo Maaori
Gail comes to us from a background in adult education. She loves infusing her classes with fun, play and interactive challenges. She is passionate about te ao Maaori and enjoys teaching the language and its context.
Gail comes to us from a background in adult education. She loves infusing her classes with fun, play and interactive challenges. She is passionate about te ao Maaori and enjoys teaching the language and its context.