Expression of interest - Puke Ariki Museum

Co-curatorial lead, mātauranga Māori for long-term exhibition redevelopment.

Puke Ariki Museum is seeking a mātauranga/history expert to be part of a bicultural partnership focused on redeveloping the long-term social-history exhibition Taranaki Life. This new exhibition is anticipated to open in 2028.

The contract will be phased since the nature of services and amount of input required are expected to vary across different development stages, from research/consultation and concept development through to delivery. We estimate ten to 20 hours per week, with the highest input likely up front.

We're looking for someone highly collaborative, with a broad knowledge of Taranaki history and strong relationships with local iwi and hapū.

This person will work with the partnering social-history role to identify and develop key stories for the exhibition, with support from the wider project team and guidance from a local iwi/hapū advisory group and other community partners.

Project

Grounded by the Tupuna Maunga, Taranaki plays a central role in Aotearoa New Zealand's history - from its stories of resistance in the face of colonisation to its innovative contributions to engineering and the arts.

A long-term exhibition redevelopment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to share these stories with visitors, inspiring and empowering them for years to come.

Proposed term (development time): two and a half to three years - new exhibition anticipated to open in 2028 (Puke Ariki's 25th anniversary).

Display duration

15-20 years, with strategic areas of change built in.

Location

Permanent social-history gallery (600m2) - includes related content across platforms (e.g., website content and public programmes) along with ideation for a new experience in Richmond Cottage (60 meters squared).

Content

Nuanced, bicultural representation of Taranaki's history and relationships over time, expressed in a way that's relevant to and inspiring for young people.

Languages

Te Reo Māori and English throughout.

Team

Core team of four (covering curation, experience development, and spatial design) with support from many others in different stages, both internal kaimahi and external experts.

Scope of services required

We expect the supplier to provide the following services:

• Collate or carry out research for the project, connecting with relevant knowledge holders
• Contribute to planning for iwi/hapū input into the project and lead that input, supported by Puke Ariki's Pou Tikanga and Project Leaders
• With input from the iwi/hapū advisory group, identify potential ao Māori content for the exhibition, liaising with associated knowledge holders
• Assess and filter content ideas to create a cohesive, powerful, balanced exhibition concept
• Co-present the concept in various forums, assessing and integrating feedback
• Write or contribute to relevant briefs, including label briefs
• Publicly represent the exhibition

About you

You will need to have:

• Excellent research skills
• Broad knowledge of Taranaki history
• Strong relationships with local iwi/hapū
• A collaborative spirit, with eagerness to draw on complementary skillsets
• A passion for sharing important stories
• Experience coordinating people and activities
• Strong communication skills, verbal and written
• A proven track record of delivering projects to expected time frames and quality goals
• Ideally, experience in exhibition or experience development for general, non-expert audiences (there's some flexibility here, since others in the team will bring this experience)

If you live or spend time outside Taranaki, you'll need to arrange your own travel and accommodation within the funds provided.

While some project work can be done remotely, you'll need to be in Taranaki for at least key mahi and milestones.

Expression of interest

Please send the following to frith.williams@npdc.govt.nz, with the subject 'Co-Curatorial Lead, Mātauranga Māori':

• A cover letter expressing your interest, outlining your relevant experience, and giving your expected hourly rate for a multi-year project
• Your current CV

Closing date

Midnight, Sunday, 18 January 2026.

Questions?

Until Friday, 19 December 2025, and from Monday, 12 January to Friday, 16 January 2025, please email frith.williams@npdc.govt.nz (Director, Puke Ariki Museum).