Archivist

University of Auckland; Auckland; On-site; NZD 34,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible employment practices

Company superannuation

Five weeks of annual leave

Career development programs

Discounts on parking and services

Job summary

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland is seeking an archivist to manage archival collections, with a focus on the Archive of Māori and Pacific Sound. The role involves description, access, and use across the collection lifecycle, plus outreach and engagement with diverse communities.

The successful candidate will have strong archival practice, excellent customer service, and an interest in cultural materials. Knowledge of te reo Māori or Pacific languages is valued.

Qualifications

• Experience with archival or cultural collections and their management.
• Strong customer service skills in a public-facing environment.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with collection management systems; ArchivesSpace familiarity is an advantage.
• Experience working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Care for and manage archival collections across lifecycle stages (acquisition to use).
• Support Archive of Māori and Pacific Sound repository, respond to access requests and supply items.
• Develop and maintain collection records using ArchivesSpace.
• Maintain analogue audio equipment and related collection materials.
• Contribute to Reading Room service delivery and user experience.
• Support Cultural Collections projects, outreach, and collection audits.

Skills

Archival experience

Customer service

Organisational skills

ArchivesSpace familiarity

Diversity engagement

Tools

ArchivesSpace

Job description

• UoA Department Name: Cultural Collections

Company Description

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading University. With over 6000 academic and professional staff supporting over 46,000 students, we are one of NZ’s largest employers.

Job Description

We are looking for a passionate and experienced archivist to join our team on a fixed-term basis.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work with unique archival collections and play an important role in ensuring they are cared for, accessible, and used by students, academics, researchers, and members of the wider community.

In this role, you'll support the management of archival collections across their lifecycle — from acquisition and accessioning through to arrangement, description, access, and use. You'll also contribute to outreach and engagement activities that help bring these collections to life and encourage their use by a diverse range of audiences.

The focus of this role will be on the Archive of Māori and Pacific Sound repository, providing an exciting opportunity to work with culturally significant audio collections and contribute to their ongoing care, management, and accessibility.

You'll respond to access requests, supply archival items, develop collection records using ArchivesSpace, and support the care and maintenance of specialist audio equipment.

You'll also contribute to Reading Room services and wider Cultural Collections projects and initiatives, including outreach activities and collection audits.

This is an ideal role for someone who combines strong archival practice with excellent customer service and a genuine interest in cultural collections, particularly Māori and Pacific collections.

Key responsibilities include:

• Caring for and managing archival collections through acquisition, accessioning, arrangement, description, access, and use.
• Supporting the Archive of Māori and Pacific Sound repository, including responding to access requests and supplying collection items.
• Developing and maintaining collection records using the ArchivesSpace archival management system.
• Supporting the care and maintenance of analogue audio equipment and associated collection materials.
• Contributing to Reading Room service delivery and providing a welcoming, high-quality experience for collection users.
• Supporting Cultural Collections projects, outreach activities, audits, and other initiatives that increase engagement with the collections.

This is a full-time, 37.5-hour-per-week role on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The salary range for this role is $73,400 - $78,600 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications.

You are an enthusiastic and knowledgeable archivist who enjoys working with collections and helping people discover and engage with them.

You bring strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a high level of customer service. You're comfortable working independently while also enjoying being part of a collaborative team.

You'll have an interest in cultural collections and, ideally, experience working with diverse communities and cultural materials. An understanding of te reo Māori, te ao Māori, tikanga Māori, or a Pacific language would be highly valued.

The opportunity to work with analogue sound collections will particularly appeal to someone interested in audio technology and in the preservation and management of historic sound recordings.

• Experience working with archival or cultural collections and an understanding of archival collection management.
• Strong customer service skills and confidence working with students, academics, researchers, and members of the public.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage the collection of information accurately.
• Experience working with collection management or archival systems; familiarity with ArchivesSpace would be an advantage.
• Experience working respectfully and effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The following would be highly beneficial:

• Knowledge of a Pacific language or Pacific cultures.
• Experience working with analogue audio technologies such as cassettes and open-reel tapes.
• Knowledge of audio and AV file formats, software, and systems used to manage or manipulate digital audio.

The University of Auckland is New Zealand's leading University and maintains significant computational, laboratory, and analytic facilities. Auckland is frequently rated as one of the world's most liveable cities.

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through the following:

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home and flexible hours)
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks' annual leave

In addition, we also offer career development programs, discounted car parking, a generous parental leave allowance, childcare, and other discounts on internal and external services.

Closing date: 1/09/2026.

Please note that we may close the advert earlier if we find a suitable candidate.

Additional Information

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment. For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpu iMVPFAFF+ , people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz