Nau mai, tauti mai! The Okains Bay Māori and Colonial Museum has an exciting opportunity for an Associate Curator Taonga Māori to join our team to undertake dedicated work on our nationally significant taonga Māori collection for a fixed term of one year. We are seeking a museum professional with experience working with taonga Māori to lead our Mana Taonga project which aims to improve the documentation, storage, security, and accessibility of the taonga Māori collection in our care.

Main Purpose of the Role

The Associate Curator Taonga Māori will lead the Museum's Mana Taonga project which will enable both the Museum Trust Board and mana whenua Te Rūnanga o Koukourarata to gain ‘intellectual control’ of the collection that will in turn inform future decision-making about the taonga Māori collection and its ongoing care including storytelling, physical-care, conservation, storage, and the fostering of relationships with iwi/hapū who whakapapa to the taonga in the collection.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• implementing the organisation of safe and secure storage for taonga Māori
• carrying out procedures for full documentation of taonga Māori, including entering information into the museum collections database
• strengthening engagement and collaboration with mana whenua and communities of interest that add value to the care and management of the taonga Māori collection
• facilitating approved iwi/hapū, public, researcher, staff, and volunteer access to the taonga Māori collection and collection information
• collaboratively working with other staff to facilitate access to the taonga Māori collection to support the Museum’s education programmes
• working closely with Te Rūnanga o Koukourarata to develop a new display focused on taonga from the eastern bays of Te Pātaka-ā-Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula

To be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate

• expert knowledge of taonga Māori collections
• knowledge of museum curatorial and collection management practices
• good understanding of the public role of the Museum and that all work is ultimately focussed on benefitting our communities
• cultural competency
• understanding and engagement with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Excellent interpersonal and time management skills and a strong work ethic
• The ability to work independently and with a small team located within a small rural community

Qualifications and Experience

The position requires:

• a degree, preferably post-graduate, in a discipline relevant to the Museum’s collections
• additional qualifications in museum studies an advantage
• at least two years working in a collections-related capacity in a museum
• at least two years hands-on experience with nomenclature, documentation, housing, and storage of taonga Māori

Remuneration

$58,361 - $72,951

Benefits

Enjoy working in a peaceful, beautiful work environment, which feels remote but is only a twenty-minute drive from Akaroa.

Fixed Term Contract and Hours of Work

This is a fixed term one year full-time (40 hours per week) role.

Accommodation

Accommodation may be available at the Museum. To be discussed with the successful candidate.

For further information and to apply please email okainsbaymuseumrecruitment@gmail.com

Applications close Friday 26 July 2024