Te tūranga | The role

We are seeking expressions of interest in the role of Kairaranga Taonga Māori | Curator Taonga Māori. Working closely with our small, innovative curatorial team, including the Ringatohu Kura Huna | Director History & Science, and wider organisation, you will play a key Māori curatorial role in delivering meaningful, innovative and exciting exhibitions and experiences across our diverse sites that reflect, represent and capture the imagination of our diverse audiences.

Working with our collections team, you will also assist in the development and understanding of our collection to better reflect the mana whenua, tangata whenua and tangata tiriti of Pōneke Wellington.

Te āhua o te tūranga | The nature of the position

As a curator, you will keep your finger on the pulse and develop and advise on impactful exhibitions of, or including, Māori taonga and work closely with other kaitiaki of Māori heritage. Your key focus will be Te Waka Huia o Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho Wellington Museum, but your focus also covers visitor experiences developed across Wheako Pōneke Experience Wellington sites, including Te Ara Whanui ki te Rangi Space Place, the Cable Car Museum and Nairn Street Cottage.

You will have a high level of cultural competency in engaging within our communities and are committed to increasing public access to knowledge of Te Ao Māori. As a key connector, this role will work closely to develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with mana whenua and tangata whenua.

You will assist in the development of our collection by identifying and advising on acquisitions and commissions that reflect Pōneke Wellington’s historic and contemporary culture.

You will also contribute to the new direction of Te Waka Huia o Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho Wellington Museum as part of a future-planned redevelopment or rehousing. You will play a vital part in the strengthening of mana whenua and tangata whenua involvement and offering as part of this exciting project.

Ngā tino pūkenga me ngā wheako | The essential skills and experience for the role

Curatorial experience developing exhibitions from vision to delivery
Strong knowledge of Pōneke Wellington and/or Aotearoa New Zealand history and contemporary culture
Strong knowledge of taonga Māori
Experience working with and have existing relationships with taonga Māori collectors
Solid cultural competency in tikanga Māori and te aō Māori
Strong research and writing skills
Experience with different forms of media to showcase exhibits.
An understanding and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the role of biculturalism in our Whare Taonga
Familiarity with a collection database is preferable but not essential

Ko wai mātou | Who are we

At Wheako Pōneke Experience Wellington, our success comes from our combined expertise and strength, working together with and for Wellington to create remarkable experiences that generate vitality, strengthening the city we love. We offer incredible audience experiences across our six sites: Te Whare Toi City Gallery Wellington, Nōku Te Ao Capital E, Te Waka Huia o Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho Wellington Museum, Te Ara Whanui ki te Rangi Space Place, Cable Car Museum and Nairn Street Cottage.

We are committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and support tāngata whenua as kaitiaki.

Wheako Pōneke Experience Wellington embraces flexible working and offers generous leave provisions, including 5 weeks annual leave for all permanent kaimahi.

If you want to work with like-minded community builders, passionate about art and culture, we would love to hear from you. To join our team, please submit your CV, a cover letter and complete our online application form for our consideration. For further information on the role please contact hr@experiencewellington.org.nz.

Applications close Sunday, 1 June 2025. Applications will be shortlisted as they come in.

Applicants for these positions require the eligibility to work in New Zealand, having current NZ citizenship, residency or a valid work visa. For advice on obtaining a New Zealand work or residence visa visit www.immigration.govt.nz.

Māori | Senior Curator jobs

Kairaranga Taonga Māori | Senior Curator - Taonga Māori (Wellington)