Job Description

Head of Curatorial - Mātauranga Māori and Humanities (Permanent - Full-time)

Te Papa is Aotearoa New Zealand's national museum and a world-leading cross-disciplinary institution. Our work is grounded in our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the philosophy of Mana Taonga, ensuring communities are actively involved in the care, development, research and interpretation of collections.

We're looking for an experienced leader to set the strategic direction for curatorial practice in Mātauranga Māori and Humanities at Te Papa, and lead a talented team of curators.

The role provides strategic leadership across Art, Mātauranga Māori, and New Zealand and Pacific Histories and Cultures collection areas, ensuring collection development, research and engagement are world-class and Te Tiriti-led, and collections are accessible to communities and the public.

This is a significant opportunity to shape how Te Papa collections, scholarship, mātauranga and curatorial practice contribute to understanding and communicating the diverse experiences, cultures histories and art histories of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.

You'll champion excellence and innovation in curatorial practice, strengthen curatorial contribution to exhibitions and audience experiences, and build partnerships, knowledge and capability for the future.

In this role, you will:

• Set and implement the strategic direction for the Mātauranga Māori and Humanities curatorial teams at Te Papa,
• lead collection development, research and scholarship priorities across Art, Mātauranga Māori, and New Zealand and Pacific Histories and Cultures collections
• lead a team of Senior Curators and support them to lead their teams of expert curators
• embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities and Mana Taonga in strategy, practice, relationships and decision-making 
• foster innovation and excellence in curatorial practice, supporting new ways of interpreting, researching and sharing collections with communities and audiences
• ensure collections, research, knowledge and expertise contribute strongly to Te Papa's exhibitions, experiences, digital channels and public engagement
• work closely with iwi, hapū, source communities and Māori partners to uphold responsibilities to taonga and strengthen access to mātauranga and cultural heritage
• build strategic partnerships and networks that strengthen collections, research, knowledge, capability, funding and public value 
• identify and manage strategic, operational and emerging risks, ensuring appropriate oversight, mitigation and escalation 
• contribute as a senior leader to the direction and priorities of the Collections, Knowledge and Communities directorate and Te Papa more broadly. 

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for a strategic and collaborative leader with significant experience in museums, galleries, cultural heritage, mātauranga Māori, humanities research, and/or curatorial leadership

You will understand the opportunities that come from bringing together collections, research, communities and audiences, and be able to translate organisational strategy and changes in the external environment into clear priorities for a diverse team of curatorial experts.

You must also be:

• an experienced and supportive people leader, able to lead, develop and empower teams of curators
• a recognised authority in a relevant discipline with credibility in scholarship, research, curatorial practice, thought leadership and exhibition making
• a strategic thinker who can establish direction, make clear choices and translate strategy into achievable priorities and plans
• experienced in collection development, research, interpretation and stewardship of cultural collections
• able to provide leadership in contemporary curatorial practice, including interpretation, audience engagement, collaboration, ethics and community-centred approaches
• confident working collaboratively across organisational boundaries and disciplines
• an excellent relationship builder, able to oversee and participate in developing trusted partnerships with iwi and hapū, source communities, universities, museums, galleries, research organisations and cultural partners
• able to provide credible professional leadership and influence within the museum, heritage, academic or cultural sectors
• experienced in managing resources, competing priorities, change and risk in a complex environment
• committed to creating opportunities for communities to connect with, contribute to and benefit from Te Papa's collections, knowledge and research
• committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Mana Taonga and strengthening bicultural practice in the way teams, collections, research and relationships are led

Knowledge of te reo and tikanga Māori is also an advantage, together with experience developing cultural capability in others.

A relevant postgraduate qualification is desirable. 

What we offer

• A supportive, values-driven team environment
• A workplace committed to Te Tiriti
• Comprehensive benefits including onsite Kindergarten, subsidised parking, café and store discounts, and free entry to paid exhibitions

Other Information

This is a full-time permanent position, 40 hours per week, based at Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable Street, Wellington.

For more details, please refer to the Position Description.

If you are viewing this advertisement on a website other than the Te Papa job board, the Position Description may not be accessible. In this case, please visit jobs.tepapa.govt.nz to view the Position Description and apply.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand. Pre-employment checks will be undertaken. The starting salary will be between $154,343- $183,282 based on skills, experience and internal relativities.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter via jobs.tepapa.govt.nz

Applications close: Sunday 1 November 2026