Mental Health Charity Amplify The Voices Of 11 Inspiring Kiwis Through Innovative Audio-Visual Exhibition

Auckland, New Zealand — [4.7.25] — In collaboration with internationally-renowned director and photographer Tom Gould, Voices Of Hope are proud to announce, for the first time in Wellington, the launch of an innovative and insightful audio-visual exhibition - Behind the Smile, open from 11th July - 6th August.

A striking photo and audio series, Behind the Smile profiles 11 everyday kiwis who have faced staggering mental health challenges throughout their lives. Transcending a traditional visual exhibition experience, this showcase is interactive and engaging.

Guests are able to listen to each individual share stories about the challenges they’ve had to navigate via their mobile device while admiring the striking and contrasted profile imagery that adorns the gallery walls. The exhibition is a call for all kiwis to be more curious, empathetic, and in touch with our humanity - everyone has struggles you can’t see - Behind the Smile.

Voices Of Hope co-founder Genevieve Mora is proud to extend the spotlight to a diverse range of individuals through Behind the Smile. “We are on a mission to inform, empower, and spread hope to those struggling with mental health, by amplifying inspiring voices of lived experience.

For this campaign, it was really important to us to share the stories of everyday kiwis, in the hope that audiences will be able to resonate, reflect, and leave the space feeling hopeful and inspired. We are excited to bring this to a new community where hopefully more people can be positively impacted”

This passion project has been over a year in the making, with Gould and the team, travelling across Aotearoa visiting the ‘happy place’ of each person in an effort to capture their essence in its truest form.

To anyone struggling, just know that you are not alone. It’s not weak to speak.

Olivia Kirikiri, Producer at Te Auaha says “Te Auaha is immensely looking forward to hosting Voices of Hope and highlighting this important kaupapa. This exhibition is more than just art—it’s a powerful conversation about mental health”.

Voices Of Hope invites viewers to head to Te Auaha Gallery, 65 Dixon Street, Wellington to experience this creative work, and be both inspired and comforted by the bravery and vulnerability of each individual.

To get the full immersive experience BYO device and headphones

Voices of Hope

Voices of Hope is a mental health charity co-founded by Genevieve Mora and Jazz Thornton, dedicated to sharing lived experience stories and promoting recovery. With a vision to support those facing mental health challenges, Voices of Hope creates spaces for open dialogue, empowerment, and connection.

At Voices of Hope, we believe in the power of sharing your lived experience to create positive change. Our storytelling platform exists to bring better understanding of mental health challenges, promote help-seeking behaviours and useful resources, and ultimately spread hope. Voices of Hope (VoH), a mental health charity, was founded in 2017 by Genevieve Mora and Jazz Thornton, individuals who have personally battled mental illness. Using their past experiences and their passion for content creation, they built a new narrative around mental health.

Over the years, VoH has grown into a community of people around Aotearoa and the world, who contribute to the ever evolving mental health conversation. Our aim is to inspire and educate others, fostering empathy and understanding around mental health.

Tom Gould

Tom Gould is an award-winning director & photographer from Aotearoa, New Zealand. Gould’s work has been published and exhibited at institutions globally, including MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) and the British Film Institute. He has also left his mark on the world of iconic brands, collaborating with the likes of Ralph Lauren, Nike, NBA, Timberland, Adidas and more.

Te Auaha Gallery

Te Kāhui Auaha is Whitireia & WelTec’s creative campus that opened in 2018. Located right in the heart of Wellington City, on the corner of Cuba Street and Dixon Street, Te Kāhui Auaha facilities include two theatres, a 55 seater cinema, exhibition gallery and multiple performance & recording studios. Situated on the ground floor of Te Auaha with floor-to-ceiling windows facing Dixon street, the Gallery hosts a range of exhibitions from New Zealand and International artists and creatives.

Event Details

Exhibition Title: Voices of Hope – Behind the Smile

Host: Te Auaha Gallery

Location: 65 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington

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