KAITIAKI TAONGA COLLECTION MANAGER HUMANITIES
Te Papa’s mission is to understand the past, enrich the present and meet the challenges of the future. Te Papa is more than just the national museum that houses New Zealand’s treasures. It is a meeting place, a place for lifelong learning, and a place that inspires a sense of wonder and connection.
Biculturalism is a founding philosophy and practice of Te Papa designed to explore the contribution of Māori language and culture to the life, culture and activities of the museum in small and large ways. Te Papa fosters and nurtures cross-cultural capability, the ability of people of different cultural backgrounds to interact with one another in positive and uplifting ways.
Te Papa’s three values Whanaungatanga (Teamwork), Manaakitanga (Respect) and Auahatanga (Creativity) are at the centre of how Te Papa works. Working actively in the cultural sector and in partnership with iwi Te Papa connects people, taonga and stories.
Te Papa is an amazing organisation to work for with bold aspirations for the future.
This is an opportunity to be part of a passionate and dedicated collection care team, working with others to support the wellbeing of Te Papa’s collections. This position is responsible for managing the care and use of collection items/taonga both internally and by a range of external communities. The position achieves this through sound risk management and collection management practice when caring for and working with collection items/taonga. The position is underpinned by the practice of Mana Taonga, and is assigned specific accountabilities aligned to the Ngā Tikanga Whakahaere Kohinga Taonga a Te Papa | Collection Care and Practice Framework.
Reporting to the Manager Collection Care Practice, this position sits within Collection Services, home to our Collection Care and Exhibition Services teams.
The successful applicant will:
- Register collection items/taonga, recording core information so they can be identified, located and managed.
- Provide assurance and inform prioritisation by confirming presence, location and condition of collection items/taonga and associated information.
- Support the use of collection items/taonga in exhibitions and other activities while ensuring their physical and cultural wellbeing.
- Consult with source communities to establish connections between collection items/taonga and their care and use.
- Work collaboratively and proactively with team members to prioritise work, improve efficiency, and find innovative solutions.
To be successful in the role, you’ll bring:
- A tertiary qualification in museums studies and relevant subject in humanities such as Māori or Pacific studies, Anthropology or Geography.
- At least five years’ experience in a collection management or registration role, with a sound working knowledge of museum collection management practices and digital information management systems.
- Demonstrated knowledge and compliance with health and safety protocols, permits and other regulatory requirements.
- An awareness of cultural practices and tikanga applicable in a museum or gallery environment, and an ability to learn and practice Te reo Māori.
To apply, please provide a cover letter (no more than two pages) describing how your skills and background are a fit with the position and your ambitions for it, and a CV (no more than 4 pages) that details your relevant work experience.
All considered applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain the legal right to work in New Zealand.
Please apply here: https://jobs.tepapa.govt.nz/jobtools/jncustomsearch.viewFullSingle?in_or…
