Collections Assistant

Museums Aotearoa; Napier; On-site; NZD 71,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks' annual leave

Discounted health insurance

Retailer discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Cultural language classes

Vaccinations

Job summary

Napier City Council is seeking a Collection Assistant to care for and provide access to Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust collections. You will work with the Collections team across cataloguing, handling, and supporting exhibitions, loans, research and community access.

You’ll collaborate with colleagues, researchers and visitors, performing hands-on collection work while ensuring accurate records and safe storage. The role offers varied duties and a strong emphasis on accessibility.

Qualifications

• Experience in collection care and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Document acquisitions and assist with cataloguing and collection documentation.
• Care for, handle, pack and store collection objects safely.
• Prepare objects for exhibitions and support loans.
• Provide access to researchers, visitors, and community groups.
• Respond to enquiries and maintain accurate collection information.
• Support environmental monitoring, pest management and disaster preparedness.

Skills

Collection management

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Communication

Data entry

Microsoft Office

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Museum Studies

Tools

Vernon Collection Management System

Forklift licence

Job description

Are you passionate about collections and the stories they hold? This is an opportunity to play a hands‑on role in caring for and providing access to the Hawke’s Bay Museums Trust collection, helping ensure it is preserved, documented and accessible for generations to come.

As our Collection Assistant, you’ll work alongside our Collections team across all aspects of collection care and management. From cataloguing and caring for objects to supporting exhibitions, loans, research and community access, you’ll help look after a diverse collection while ensuring information and records remain accurate and up to date.

This is a varied role that balances careful behind-the-scenes collection work with opportunities to work with researchers, visitors, community groups and the wider museum team.

Te Āheinga - The Opportunity

No two days will necessarily look the same. You could be documenting a new acquisition, preparing objects for an exhibition, responding to a collection enquiry or helping provide access to an item for research or community engagement.

You’ll be trusted to work carefully and independently while collaborating closely with colleagues across the museum. There’s also a practical side to the role, with hands‑on handling, packing, moving and preparing collection objects all part of helping keep the collection safe and accessible.

You’ll Have The Opportunity To

• Support acquisitions, cataloguing and ongoing collection documentation
• Care for, handle, pack and safely store collection objects
• Prepare and install objects for exhibitions and support incoming and outgoing loans
• Provide collection access for researchers, visitors and community groups
• Respond to enquiries and help maintain accurate collection information
• Support environmental monitoring, pest management and disaster preparedness
• Work collaboratively across the museum and contribute to continuous improvement

He kōrero mōhou - About You

You’ll bring a genuine interest in collection care and museum practice, along with the attention to detail needed when working with important objects and information.

You’re organised, comfortable managing your own workload and understand the importance of getting the details right. Just as importantly, you enjoy working with others and can build positive relationships with colleagues, visitors, researchers and community groups.

You’ll Bring

• Experience in collection management, registration or a similar museum environment
• A postgraduate qualification in Museum Studies or a related discipline
• Strong organisation, accuracy and attention to detail
• Confidence using collection management databases and Microsoft Office
• The ability to prioritise your workload and work with a high degree of self‑management
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills
• Awareness of bicultural practice within the museum sector
• A full New Zealand driver licence and the physical capability to safely handle and move collection items

Experience using the Vernon Collection Management System or holding a forklift licence would be an advantage.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to put your collection experience into practice and contribute to the care and accessibility of Hawke’s Bay’s museum collection, we’d love to hear from you.

Ngā painga mōhou - What we Offer

• 5 weeks' annual leave after 2 years service
• Discounted health insurance work scheme + Eye test subsidy
• Retailer discounts + study assistance
• Employee Assistance Program (OCP)
• Quarterly values awards + Birthday vouchers + Social club
• Free flu vaccinations (annual)
• Ka Awatea Cultural Wānanga + NCC Kapa Haka
• Te Reo Māori language classes

This is a permanent, full-time opportunity working 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday. You will be based at Amokura in Hastings CBD and will also work at Kahukura, Napier CBD as required.

The annual salary package for this role is between $70,961 - $79,309 (including KiwiSaver), with the final offer depending on your skills and experience.

We will be interviewing applications as we receive them and may close the role when we have found the right person.

He kōrero mō Te Kaunihera o Ahuriri - About NCC

At Napier City Council, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and work to make our hiring process fair and accessible. If you need any support or adjustments during your application or interview, let us know—we’re happy to help!

Our success is grounded in strong partnerships with Mana Whenua and Iwi, supported by our Māori Partnerships team, Te Waka Rangapū, which builds cultural capability through education and training.

Before you join, you’ll need to complete pre‑employment checks (including criminal background checks, with some roles requiring health screening and drug & alcohol testing). As an NCC employee, you may also be called on to support Civil Defence emergencies when our community needs us most.