Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School is inviting applications for three permanent part time positions within our academic team:

• Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist – Design (0.4 FTE)
• Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist – Production (0.5 FTE)
• Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist – Costume Construction (0.5 FTE)

These roles contribute directly to the growth, development and excellence of our tauira as they train for careers within the Aotearoa performing arts sector. We are seeking individuals with deep specialist knowledge, tertiary teaching experience, strong professional practice, and a commitment to teaching within a decolonised collaborative environment.

Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School

From our whare standing on whenua in Te Whanganui a Tara, we celebrate a whakapapa that spans more than 50 years. As the nation’s premier school of performing arts, we’ve trained some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s best performers, designers, and craftspeople. We develop independent practitioners who are creators, innovators, and initiators. Our graduates are some of the leading voices within the creative sector both nationally and internationally. Our talented alumni are sought after, in front of and behind the scenes, by the world’s leading productions.

Being part of our kura is more than just gaining qualifications. Here skills are gained, perspectives are shaped, connections are made, and potential is revealed. We recognise all our students as future rangatira. They emerge from here - knowing who they are and where they stand - ready to add their value to Aotearoa New Zealand’s thriving performing arts community.

Our Strategic Plan 2022 - 27, a period of consolidation and transformation can be found on our website.

ABOUT THE POSITIONS

Our Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialists play a key role in curriculum planning, delivery, assessment and moderation of programmes. Toi Whakaari operates within a collaborative, interdisciplinary teaching model. These three positions sit within our Production Academic Team, known as Waihanga, and report to the Manutaki Waihanga, Discipline Lead Production.

Two of the roles contribute to the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Production, Design, Creative Performance Practice) - Level 7, while the third supports the New Zealand Diploma in Costume Construction - Level 6. Further information about these programmes is available on our website.

These roles involve contributing to high quality teaching and learning at Toi Whakaari; providing ongoing, regular pastoral, pedagogical and academic support to tauira; actively growing discipline expertise; and participating in the design, planning, delivery and assessment of teaching programmes, including creating resources.

All of our Kaitātaki must have a strong understanding of decolonised perspectives and a commitment to giving full effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. They will actively foster practices that demonstrate their commitment to social justice. Kaitātaki contribute to course coordination, planning, delivery and assessment of interdisciplinary courses as agreed each year.

For the Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist Design, (0.4) we are seeking individuals with skills in one or more of the following - Projection Design, Production Design for Screen Arts, Video/ Content creation.

For the Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist Production, (0.5) we are seeking individuals with skills in one or many of the following - Projection Mechanics, Sound Mechanics, Technical operation, Rigging and Stage Mechanics, Q Lab systems and operation, Vectorworks, Production Management

For the Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist Costume Construction, (0.5) we are seeking individuals with skills in one or many of the following - Flat Pattern Drafting, Costume History, Costume Design, Costume making and supervision for live events or film, Specialty areas of costume construction.

ABOUT YOU

Experience

• Experience in teaching at tertiary level
• Experience in developing, delivering and assessing discipline aligned course content
• Proficient current industry experience and knowledge. 
• Experience in growing belonging and vision in an organisation

Qualifications

• Relevant Graduate or Postgraduate qualification. 
• Relevant formal study of teaching and/or adult education, including curriculum, pedagogy and assessment 

Other Attributes

• Understanding of and commitment to Te reo Māori me ngā tikanga.
• Willingness to work towards a decolonised environment.
• Commitment to giving full effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• At least six years experience in creative performance practice
• Commitment to creating equitable outcomes for all tauira.
• Commitment to the development and growth of teaching and research in performance practice. 
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to build relationships and influence others.
• Resilience and flexibility working with different individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Position Descriptions

Please go to our website to find position descriptions of the roles.
https://www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz/job

Remuneration

• Salary Band B of Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist: $65,000 to $70,000
• 5 weeks annual leave
• Onsite parking
• Commitment to ongoing development

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by the closing date of 5pm on Tuesday 6 January 2026.

Please include a CV and cover letter. Within your cover letter please clearly outline which role you are applying for. Please also include a description of how you meet the skills and experiences detailed above.

To apply or for further information please contact: hr.administrator@toiwhakaari.ac.nz 
Please note: between 19 December and 4 January 2026, our ability to respond will be limited, but we will reply as soon as we are able.

The panel will review applications on 8 and 9 January 2026. Interviews will be held between 12 - 16 January, with additional interview dates available 19 - 23 January if required.