Collection Manager, Human History

Museums Aotearoa; Auckland; On-site; NZD 73,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Availability to purchase additional 1–

Job summary

Auckland War Memorial Museum is seeking a skilled Collection Manager, Human History, to care for and unlock access to our War and Social History collections. You will work with curators and researchers to support acquisitions, exhibitions and public programmes, with a focus on firearms and munitions collections under Arms Act 2026.

You’ll bring at least 3 years’ experience in collections management, Vernon CMS knowledge, and a NZ firearms licence, plus a Full NZ driver’s licence, enabling robust

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in a Collection Manager or similar role.
• Knowledge of firearms management and regulatory requirements for firearms.
• Experience with collection management systems; Vernon preferred.
• Full New Zealand driver’s licence.

Responsibilities

• Manage new and retrospective acquisitions for War and Social History, documenting, labelling and safe housing.
• Advise on storage, packing, logistics and costs for acquisitions and loans.
• Facilitate access to the collections for internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage access, care, secure storage and audit of firearms and munitions.
• Provide specialist support to Head of Documentary Heritage & Human History under Arms Act duties.
• Maintain current procedural and operational documentation; ensure safe handling of dangerous materials.

Skills

3+ years experience

Firearms licence awareness

Vernon CMS experience

Driver's licence

Online systems knowledge

Education

Tertiary qualification or Museum Studies

Tools

Vernon CMS

Finding aids / databases

Job description

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.

Mō mātou | About us

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.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

Join Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum and play a key role in caring for and unlocking the stories held within our nationally significant War and Social History collections. As Collection Manager, Human History, you’ll work across diverse collections, providing access for curators, researchers and communities and contributing to exhibitions, loans, acquisitions and public programmes.

This busy, hands-on role combines collection care, research, cataloguing and storage management with the opportunity to work closely with curators and colleagues across the Museum. We’re looking for an experienced and highly organised collections professional, with 3+ years’ experience in a Collection Manager or similar role, who will bring sound judgement, initiative and a strong understanding of museum collections practice.

You’ll also bring knowledge of, and an interest in, the management of our firearms and munitions collections, supporting their safe care, storage, access and compliance with relevant legislation.

Your work will help preserve important stories and objects for future generations, while enabling the collections to be actively used for research, exhibitions, learning and public engagement.

This Fulltime Role Is Responsible For

• Managing new and retrospective acquisitions for War and Social History, ensuring they are documented, processed, labelled and safely housed, and arranging conservation and photography as required.
• Advising on storage, packing, logistics and associated costs for acquisitions and loans.
• Facilitating access to the collections for internal and external stakeholders, including retrievals and assisted viewings.
• Managing the access, care, secure storage and audit of firearms and munitions in the collections.
• Providing specialist support to the Head of Documentary Heritage & Human History, the Museum’s dealer licence holder, in meeting responsibilities under the Arms Act 2026.
• Maintaining current procedural and operational documentation.
• Maintaining knowledge of and ensuring safe handling practices for dangerous or flammable materials associated with the collections.

Ō pūmanawa | What you will bring

• A tertiary qualification in a field relevant to this position’s activities or a tertiary Museum Studies qualification or at least 3 years’ equivalent working experience in a similar role.
• Current New Zealand firearms licence or willingness to gain a museum worker licence and knowledge of relevant legislation and regulatory requirements for firearms covered by the Arms Act 2026
• Experience in collection management systems (Vernon preferred).
• A Full and current New Zealand driver’s licence.
• Working knowledge of online systems, databases and other finding aids.
• Problem-solving skills, attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Experience of the handling, storage and cataloguing of museum collections.
• Good general knowledge and interest in New Zealand history.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

• Flexible work arrangements to enhance your work and home life.
• Availability to purchase additional annual leave
• An award-winning wellbeing programme including free membership with Boost app and Myeveryday wellbeing.
• An active social club which is part of the fabric of Museum life
• Life insurance from your first day and discounted Health Insurance
• Free museum membership and other staff discounts
• Discounted onsite parking
• Accredited by Rainbow tick

Check out our benefits page to find out more about why we love working here.

Closing Date: Monday, 26 October 2026. We may issue interview invitations to particularly suitable candidates prior to the closing date of the advert.

You must be currently eligible to work in New Zealand to be considered for this permanent position. Starting salary guide: $72,500 to $77,000 per annum dependant on relevant experience.

Auckland Museum offers a rich and fulfilling work life 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 such as flexible work and leave and an award-winning wellbeing programme.

He Oranga Tangata ka ao

Enriching lives. Inspiring discoveries