Tāmaki Paenga Hira: Tui tui hono tangata, whenua me te moana.
Auckland War Memorial Museum: Connecting through sharing stories of people, lands and seas
Auckland Museum is a much-loved culture and heritage organisation at the heart of Auckland's identity, committed to outstanding management of its world-class collections, developing and sharing engaging content through its galleries, exhibition, events, educational programmes and the permanent and volunteer staff who tell the Museum's stories. We are Auckland's home of commemoration as well as the country’s oldest research institution and a major tourist destination.
Job Description
Auckland Museum’s Summer Student Programme is open to promising undergraduate students from a range of disciplines. Students will join a cohort-style programme for ten weeks over the summer to gain career-relevant experience and have the opportunity to train alongside Museum professionals and to gain an insight into the culture and heritage sector. Our Summer Studentships provide an opportunity to undertake a project tailored to your interests and aspirations.
About the programme:
Summer studentships will run over 10 weeks from 17 November 2025 to 13 February 2026 (with a 3-week break over the Christmas and New Year period)
Cohort-style programme, with tours and talks from staff at Tāmaki Paenga Hira
A wide-range of interesting and unique research projects
A stipend of $6,750 will be awarded to each successfully selected student
Project Description:
Communicating Complexity in the Museum Context
Museums are dynamic spaces for research, learning, and cultural exchange. As trusted public institutions, museums play a vital role in fostering open dialogue, presenting complex ideas, and encouraging thoughtful debate. This project investigates how museums can effectively communicate complex, contested, or sensitive topics to diverse audiences. The selected student will conduct a horizon scan to identify current trends, challenges, and innovative approaches in museum interpretation, particularly in the communication of advanced scientific concepts and historically sensitive subjects. Based on this research, the student will develop a set of practical recommendations that can inform Auckland Museum's future exhibitions, helping ensure that difficult or nuanced topics are communicated in ways that are inclusive, respectful, and intellectually engaging.
Desired Skills and Experience
This project will be best suited to a student with:
Research literacy and information retrieval
Critical thinking
The ability to synthesise information
Time management and the ability to work independently
Closing Date: 24 August 2025
You must be currently eligible to study in New Zealand to apply for this student training opportunity.
Auckland Museum offers a rich and fulfilling environment where we embrace diversity and nurture our bicultural capability as demonstrated in our Teu le Va and He Korahi Maori strategies. We also offer a range of great benefits including an award-winning wellbeing programme.
This is a great opportunity for someone looking to be part of a fabulous New Zealand organisation committed to telling our national and Auckland stories, reflecting our unique place in the South Pacific.
He Oranga Tangata ka ao
Enriching lives. Inspiring discoveries
