2025 Tohunga Mahi Toi 2025 Artist in Residence

Learn about what our Artist in Residence for 2025 worked on during her residency.

Artist in Residence 2025: Michelle Elvy

The wild edge

Michelle Elvy was our Artist in Residence for 2025. She lived in Barr Cottage at Huia, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park from October to November.

Michelle writes poetry, short fiction and creative non-fiction. A seasoned ocean sailor, she focuses on the intersections of human and natural worlds.

During her residency she explored edges – of land and sea, of language and physical being, of space and time. Native and domestic wildlife, on land and in water also feature in her residency work.

Michelle shared some of her poetry, photography and prints made during her residency at the Open Studios Waitākere in November. She will exhibit more of her work at Arataki Visitor Centre from 9 January to 30 March 2026.