Collections Assistant

An opportunity has arisen for a part time (16 hours per week) Collections Assistant to work within our small but passionate team at Te Whare Taonga o Te Awamutu Museum.

About the Role

Help care for stories, objects and taonga that shape our place. Te Whare Taonga o Te Awamutu Museum is looking for a proactive, meticulous Collections Assistant to work alongside our Collections Manager, supporting the care, documentation and digitisation of a diverse collection of 20,000+ objects/taonga and an extensive archival collection. If you love detail, thrive on getting systems and records right, and enjoy hands-on museum work that supports exhibitions and public access—this could be your next role.

Working closely with the Collections Manager, you’ll support day-to-day collection care and help improve access through accurate cataloguing, research support and practical assistance with exhibition preparation. This is a key behind-the-scenes role where careful handling, clear documentation and consistent workflows make a real difference.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need:

• A qualification relating to museums/heritage/libraries/information management or similar;
• Understanding of collections gained from experience in one of the above sectors, or another cultural or heritage field;
• Great communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team;
• The ability to use technology confidently, including record or information management databases.

Knowledge of Te Reo Maori is highly desirable, but not essential.

Benefits

Really making a difference for the community will be rewarding in itself. On top of this, we have free staff parking, access to a wide range of local discounts and a commitment to learning and development that is authentic. The organisation strongly supports staff wellbeing with multiple initiatives, and you’ll enjoy financial benefits like health insurance, life insurance and additional leave.

About Waipā District

Based in the heart of the Mighty Waikato, Waipā District Council serves the local area known affectionately as “the Home of Champions”. Our district boasts high-performance sports like rowing, cycling, and kayaking, as well as stunning natural reserves and vibrant communities. With excellent schools, quality housing, and proximity to Hamilton (commutable daily), plus Auckland and Tauranga (weekend escapes), Waipā is the place to achieve true work-life balance. The Waipā District is one of the fastest growing areas in New Zealand. It is anticipated that by 2050 an additional 25,000 people will be calling Waipā home. 

If you would like to join us in making the Waipā District a great place to be, then apply today. We can't wait to hear from you.

Applications will close on Wednesday, 20 May 2026 at 5.00pm

Applicants must be living in and have the right to work in New Zealand.

To apply for this job, please go online to www.joinourteam.co.nz and enter the job code: 38787LGC.

We also have the following part-time vacancy in our Museum team, which needs to be applied for separately even if you are keen to apply for both positions: Museum Host If you think either role, or both roles, could be the right opportunity for you APPLY NOW - we'd love to hear from you!