Job Description

Collections Photographer (Fixed term position, January-July 2027)

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa | Wellington

Are you a skilled photographer with a passion for cultural heritage, technical excellence, and storytelling through images?

At Te Papa Tongarewa, Aotearoa New Zealand's national museum, we're looking for a talented Collections Photographer to join our Imaging and Rights team on a fixed term basis to cover parental leave. This is an exciting opportunity to help unlock access to one of the nation's most significant collections by creating high-quality digital images that connect people with taonga, tell stories, foster knowledge and increase engagement online and beyond.

About the role

As Collections Photographer, you will produce world-class digital images of both two-dimensional and three-dimensional collection items. From photographic negatives and works on paper through to culturally significant taonga and complex three-dimensional objects, you'll combine technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and meticulous attention to detail to create faithful digital surrogates for public access, research, publishing, and collection management purposes.

Working closely with the wider Collection Care and Access team you will help extend Te Papa's reach beyond its walls by making collections more accessible to communities throughout Aotearoa and around the world.

What you'll bring

We're looking for someone who combines technical excellence with a collaborative and culturally aware approach. We welcome applications from photographers at different career stages.

Ideally, you will have:

• A qualification in photography or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience working in a photographic studio environment with 3D objects using both flash and constant lighting.
• Technical knowledge of digitisation workflows of two-dimensional materials such as negatives, photographic prints, and works on paper.
• Advanced skills in Adobe software and working knowledge of Capture One, Phase One camera systems, and colour management workflows.
• An understanding of international imaging standards such as FADGI or Metamorfoze.
• Strong organisational skills, accurate documentation practices, and a commitment to quality control.
• A willingness to learn and engage with te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and Te Papa's Mana Taonga philosophy.

Bonus skills

• Experience in a museum, gallery, archive, or collection-based environment
• Experience in macro photography of natural history subjects (such as insects, botanical specimens, geological samples, or other scientific collections)

Why Te Papa?

At Te Papa, you'll be part of an organisation that values collaboration, innovation, and the unique stories of Aotearoa. You'll work alongside passionate professionals, contribute to nationally significant projects, and help ensure New Zealand's collections are preserved and shared for future generations.

If you're excited by the challenge of combining photography, technology, and cultural heritage in a world-class museum environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now and help connect people, to our taonga and their stories.
Tuia te tangata, tuia ngā kōrero, tuia ngā taonga.

Other Information

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

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand. Pre-employment checks will be undertaken. The starting salary will be between $67,669 - $80,357 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 15 November 2026

If you have questions, please ask

For a confidential discussion, contact Michael.ONeill@tepapa.govt.nz