Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist – Theatre Technologies

The Big Idea; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 65,000 - 70,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Commitment to ongoing development

Job summary

Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School seeks a Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist – Theatre Technologies (0.6 FTE fixed term) to join the academic team in Wellington. The role focuses on practical expertise in lighting, sound, projection, rigging, and related design and live performance operations.

You will contribute to curriculum planning, delivery and assessment, while supporting tauira and developing discipline capabilities within a collaborative teaching model.

Qualifications

• Experience in teaching at tertiary level or equivalent industry mentorship experience.
• Willingness to develop, deliver and assess discipline-aligned course content.
• Understanding of Te reo Māori me ngā tikanga.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• At least six years experience in creative performance practice.
• Commitment to creating equitable outcomes for tauira.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build relationships.
• Resilience and flexibility working with diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Contributing to high-quality teaching and learning at Toi Whakaari.
• Providing ongoing pastoral, pedagogical and academic support to tauira.
• Actively growing discipline expertise.
• Participating in design, planning, delivery and assessment of teaching programmes, including creating resources.

Skills

Tertiary teaching experience

Industry mentorship experience

Education

Graduate or Postgraduate qualification or equivalent industry experience

Job description

Wellington

Contract & Fixed Term, Part Time

Te Kura Toi Whakaari o Aotearoa : New Zealand Drama School offers world-class performing arts training and a genuine, living commitment to decolonised practice and Te Ao Māori. Our programmes prepare tauira to be more than skilled practitioners. They graduate as grounded, critically curious artists who know who they are, what their practice is for, and how to forge a sustainable and meaningful creative life. With a legacy of acclaimed puāwai (graduates) making their mark on live theatre and screen performances across Aotearoa and the world.

By 2037

Decolonisation is no longer a direction of travel but a lived reality, embedded in every aspect of our curriculum, pedagogy, governance and culture. Te Ia Mātauranga is the foundation of our practice.

Our programmes are sought after by the most talented and diverse emerging artists in Aotearoa and across the Pacific, and our puāwai (graduates) are recognised as some of the most grounded, skilled and culturally intelligent creative practitioners of their generation.

We are a thriving, sustainable and operationally excellent organisation, with deep and reciprocal relationships across industry, community and the wider arts ecosystem.

Our village is strong, our story is ours to tell, and our culture reflects the standard we hold ourselves to in everything we do.

We are inviting applications for the role of Kaitātaki , Discipline Specialist – Theatre Technologies (0.6 FTE fixed term) to join our academic team.

We are seeking candidates with practical technical expertise in theatre technologies, including lighting systems and operation , sound systems and operation , projection systems and operation, rigging, mechanist / s tag ing technology , an d technical design . You will bring current industry knowledge and a hands‑on approach to s up port ing t a u i r a t o d e v elop technical skills, explore creative possibilities a nd safe ly o p e r a t e e q u i p m ent in a live performance environment.

Our Kaitātaki , Discipline Specialists play a key role in curriculum planning, delivery, assessment and moderation of programmes. Toi Whakaari operates within a collaborative, interdisciplinary teaching model. This position reports to the Manutaki Waihanga , Discipline Lead Production.

These roles contribute to our whole academic programme, including the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Production, Design, Acting ) , the NZ Diploma of Scenic Construction and Properties, and the NZ Diploma in Costume Construction . F urther information about these programmes is available on our website.

These roles involve

• contributing to high-quality teaching and learning at Toi Whakaari
• providing ongoing, regular pastoral, pedagogical and academic support to tauira
• actively growing discipline expertise
• participating in the design, planning, delivery and assessment of teaching programmes, including creating resources.

Kaitātaki are supported to have a strong understanding of decolonised perspectives and a commitment to giving full effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. They will actively foster practices that demonstrate their commitment to social justice. Kaitātaki contribute to course coordination, planning, delivery and assessment of interdisciplinary courses as agreed each year.

These roles are fixed term from 26 January to 26 November 2027.

For the right candidate, flexibility can be offered .

About you

Experience

• Experience in teaching at tertiary level OR equivalent industry mentorship experience
• Willingness to engage in developing, delivering and assessing discipline aligned course content

Qualifications

• Relevant Graduate or Postgraduate qualification or Equivalent Industry Experience

Other Attributes

• Understanding of and commitment to Te reo Māori me ngā tikanga.
• Willingness to work towards a decolonised environment.
• Commitment to giving full effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• At least six years experience in creative performance practice
• Commitment to creating equitable outcomes for all tauira.
• Commitment to the development and growth of teaching and research in performance practice.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to build relationships and influence others.
• Resilience and flexibility working with different individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Salary Band B of Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist: $65,000 to $70,000
• 5 weeks annual leave , per annum
• Commitment to ongoing development

Applications must be submitted by the closing date of 5pm on Tuesday 17 November 2026

Please include a CV and cover letter. Within your cover letter please clearly outline which role you are applying for. Please also include a description of how you meet the skills and experiences detailed above.

Interviews will likely be held between 23 – 25 November 2026. Toi Whakaari may look to progress interviews and appointments earlier than the dates outlined, where appropriate .