Careers

Nau mai, haere mai | Welcome

Tairangahia a tua whakarere; Tatakihia nga reanga o amuri ake nei | Honouring the Past; Inspiring the Future

Do you have a passion for Aotearoa New Zealand’s historic and cultural heritage? Do you want to make a difference to its identification, preservation and promotion? Then why not consider joining our passionate heritage team!

Careers in Heritage
We've put together some profiles of our team to give you an idea of the diversity of roles within Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga—and the equally varied pathways taken to careers in heritage.
Find out more

Current vacancies

Director Northern Region

Based in Auckland
REF 179

•    A clear vision and a strong cause? Tick.
•    Millions of people who care about what we do? Tick.
•    An incredible team of passionate experts? Tick.

Our places and mahi might be rooted in history but our work is far from behind-the-times. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga works to conserve, educate about, and promote heritage for all. There is no other organisation in Aotearoa like us. It’s that exceptional breadth of opportunity and challenge that makes working with us so incredibly stimulating.

As the leading bi-cultural heritage agency in Aotearoa, we’re connecting the dots with a strong approach to make sure people feel emotionally connected with, and inspired by, Aotearoa New Zealand’s heritage. An exciting time? Absolutely. An extraordinary opportunity too.

Our staff, advise, advocate, protect and care for our heritage so that people and communities can thrive. But they can’t do it alone. They need inspirational leadership to show them the way.

Our leaders keep our teams motivated day in and day out. It’s a pivotal role. It’s about variety, sound and informed decisions, responsibility, and then some. They define and activate our business plans, so we know what success looks like and can recognise when we get there. As Director Northern Region, you will be the vital link between people, places, and our wider strategy. 

We are looking for a passionate and driven people-leader to continue to shape Pouhere Taonga into the future. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive Operations, and as a member of Te Manawa (the Senior Management Team), the Director Northern Region will be responsible for leading the regional delivery of heritage advice and property asset management that advances the interests of heritage. 

You’ll be a self-starter who loves working collaboratively, values relationships, and is an expert at spotting opportunities and juggling multiple projects. We are in a time of transformation and we need your creative brilliance, bold ideas, and influential insight to continue our forward trajectory.

You will excite and lead a team of passionate multi-disciplinary specialists to deliver positive heritage outcomes and solutions to bring our organisational strategy to life day-to-day.

You will have a high level of emotional intelligence, sought-after leadership skills and the ability to give clear strategic and operational direction. 

This pivotal role is within our dynamic and close-knit team in Auckland. Applicants must have an appreciation for our nation’s heritage, and an understanding of working in a bi-cultural organisation, preferably in the heritage sector. 

A tertiary qualification in a relevant professional field such as resource management, business studies or a heritage discipline is required.

Applications close 5pm Tuesday 6 June 2023. View the job description.

The salary range for this position is $125,000-$140,000.

How to apply:

Please send your CV and cover letter to recruit@heritage.org.nz.


Receptionist/Administrator

Full time
Based in Dunedin
REF 180

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga is the government agency responsible for identifying, protecting and promoting this country’s unique historical and cultural heritage. We’re looking for a full time Receptionist/Administrator who will deliver a high standard of administration support. This role based in the Otago/Southland Area Office in the historic Standard Building in Dunedin.

This is an interesting and varied role providing support to the Area team. You will be a key member of the team of eight professionals providing exceptional customer service.

The role includes a wide range of administrative duties to support and assist our teams. You will be the first point of contact for enquiries and interactions with our community, responsible for organising travel, providing meeting support, and keeping on top of office supplies. Managing the files, records and library as well as meeting all health and safety requirements is always important.

Being customer-focused is essential in this position and you must also have initiative, an eye for detail, excellent communication and organisational skills, as well as proficiency in the Office365 suite of products. Being a team player and an ability to work with office technology are essential attributes as is adaptability and problem-solving. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga is a bi-cultural organisation and we are committed to supporting staff in learning Te Reo Māori and tikanga. An interest in the heritage sector is desirable.

If this job sounds like a good fit for you, apply now! Applications close at 5pm on Sunday 11 June 2023. View the job description.

How to apply:

Please send your CV and cover letter to recruit@heritage.org.nz.


Conservation Architect/Built Heritage Adviser

Based in Auckland (Northern Region)
Full-time, 40 hours per week
REF 181

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga is New Zealand's primary agency for cultural heritage protection and advocacy.

Do you have passion and skill to provide effective heritage conservation advice? The position requires providing expert built heritage conservation advice to councils, heritage owners and their consultants, developers, other stakeholders and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga staff including at our heritage properties, regarding heritage management and the adaptation of historic places. Travel within the region covering the northern half of the North Island will be necessary. 

The role calls for expertise in conservation practices and principles, strong understanding of the building regulatory environment and experience in heritage assessment. You will also represent Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga in public forums and provide expert evidence from time to time. Candidates also need the ability and confidence to foster strong relationships and negotiate positive outcomes with stakeholders. 

A qualification and experience in a relevant field of built heritage conservation and/or architectural conservation is required. 

If this sounds like your ideal role, then we would love to hear from you.

The salary range for the position is $75,000 - $82,000. View the job description.

Applications close at 5pm Monday 19 June 2023. 

How to apply:

Please send your covering letter and CV to recruit@heritage.org.nz.


Pouārahi – Māori Heritage Advisors

Two positions: Auckland and Tauranga 
REF 168

Are you passionate about preserving the rich heritage of Aotearoa?

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga is the leading agency for safeguarding the cultural and historical treasures of Aotearoa New Zealand. Together, we'll embark on a journey to protect, preserve, and celebrate our unique heritage.

Our enthusiasm, knowledge, and work ensure that the special qualities that makes Aotearoa, Aotearoa are enjoyed, understood, and enhanced for everyone, forever. What does this mean for your career? A breadth and quality of work like nowhere else in the country. Or in the world, for that matter.

You will be a vital part of our mission. Our team of Pouārahi are critical for everything that we do. We want people to explore, experience, and understand our work and here you’ll help maintain the wairua.

Get ready to make a lasting impact! The rapid pace of social, cultural, economic and environmental change presents both threats and opportunities. It’s an exciting time – are you up for it?

Our Pouārahi are extraordinary individuals and vital members of Te Tautiaki Wāhi Taonga within Māori Heritage, you will report to the Kaiurungahoe/Team Leader.

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Immerse yourself in the captivating narratives, histories, and relationships of a variety of communities.
  • Contribute your expertise to the Māori heritage component of Archaeological Authorities, resource management, and statutory advocacy processes. Your voice will shape the planning matters that impact our heritage.
  • Collaborate closely with kaitiaki Māori, working hand-in-hand to protect and enhance significant sites that hold deep cultural significance.
  • Inspire and empower kaitiaki Māori through giving advice and support, training, and guidance.
  • Engage positively with iwi/hapū, championing the recognition and preservation of Wāhi Tapu/areas, Wāhi Tupuna, and historic places of immense value to Māori.
  • Embark on exciting outreach projects as directed by the Director Māori - Tautiaki Wāhi Taonga.
  • Be a catalyst for change, advocating for the conservation and revitalisation of Māori heritage buildings that hold stories waiting to be told.

To be the ideal fit for this role, you’ll bring:

  • A tertiary qualification, technical competency, and hands-on experience in a relevant professional field, whether it’s Māori heritage, archaeology, heritage conservation, museums, statutory advocacy, urban planning, legal, environmental science, resource consent management, cultural monitoring, or a related domain. 
  • A proven track record of working closely with iwi/hapū/kaitiaki/rūnanga/hapori whānui and other Māori organisations. Your ability to work well with people will be crucial in our collaborative efforts.
  • A deep understanding of the relevant statutory and legislative processes, combined with a genuine passion for upholding tikanga Māori and te Tiriti o Waitangi.
  • Some proficiency in te reo Māori and a genuine desire to celebrate and promote our beautiful language.

Join us on this exciting journey. Please indicate in your application whether you are applying for the position based in Auckland, Tauranga, or either role.

The salary range for the positions is $75,000 - $82,000. View the job description.

Applications close on Wednesday 21 June 2023 at 5pm.

How to apply:

Please send your covering letter and CV to recruit@heritage.org.nz.

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