Matafatafa Aho Pacific Artist in Residence 2026

Auckland Museum; Auckland; On-site; NZD 20,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent cultural institution is inviting applications for the Pacific Artist in Residence 2026. The selected artist will engage with the documentary heritage collection for a transformative creative journey. Responsibilities include conducting a 12-week residency and developing a new artwork based on cultural themes. This role supports potential artists with financial assistance for materials and travel, offering a unique opportunity for artistic development and community engagement.

Benefits

Artist fee of $19,200

Support for materials and travel

Access to collections and facilities

Qualifications

• Pacific descent and based in Auckland.
• Emerging or established Pacific artist from any art genre.
• Able to engage with specific Pacific texts.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a 12-week residency between March and June 2026.
• Develop a new Pacific artwork based on residency.
• Engage with Documentary Heritage collection.

Skills

Creative writing

Visual arts

Cultural heritage knowledge

Job description

Matafatafa Aho Pacific Artist in Residence 2026

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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.

In celebration of the new Pacific plan titled Matafatafa Aho (A new Dawn) for 2024-2029, and at the successful conclusion of the 2025 Pacific Artist in Residency, Tāmaki Paenga Hira is excited to invite new applications for 2026. We invite Pacific artists to engage with our documentary heritage collection over a dynamic three-month journey starting in March 2026 to produce a new artwork.

We welcome artist engagement with specific Pacific texts including documentary heritage treasure trove filled with captivating manuscripts, heartfelt letters, quirky ephemera, rare periodicals, insightful papers, and beloved books.

Whether your passion lies in crafting a powerful play, weaving together a compelling poetry collection, penning a mesmerising short story, producing powerful visual art, scripting an impactful film, or developing an unforgettable performance, we want to support your creativity.

The successful applicant will:

• attach a one-page cover letter stating why you would like to be the Pacific Artist in Residence at Tāmaki Paenga Hira for 2026, and what specifically you are looking forwithin the Documentary Heritage Collection which will be important to the development of your new artwork.
• attach a copy of an updated CV/Resume (no more than two pages)
• attach a reference letter of support that is not older than 6 months
• conduct the 12-week residency between 1 March-30 June 2026 and receive an artist fee amounting to $19,200 total (covers all expenses)
• receive $6,950 for artist materials and travel
• receive support by the Documentary Heritage Pacific Associate Curator
• receive IT, desk and library support including access to collections
• launch a new Pacific artwork, based on the residency, by 30 November 2026
• receive financial support for the public launch of the final artistic research outcome at the Museum between June-November 2026
• engage and be guided by the Documentary Heritage Pacific Associate Curator; supported by the Documentary Heritage and Pacific Teu le Va teams.

The conditions for the residency are as follows. The resident artist is/will be:

• of Pacific descent and based in Auckland
• either an emerging (i.e. at least two years in the industry) or established Pacific artist from any art genre
• guided by the Museum’s strategic plans, including He Korahi Māori; the Pacific Teu le Va, Matafatafa Aho
• specific in what you want to engage with, to inform your new artwork, with the Pacific items in the Documentary Heritage collection.

Step into the past and let it inspire your future. Dive into our rich documentary heritage collection and unlock untold histories, stories, people and places in your artistic journey. Don’t miss out on this incredible chance—apply now and embark on a transformative creative adventure!

2026 Applications open from 29 September – 19 October 2025, 11.59pm.

Proudly funded by Creative New Zealand.

Documentary Heritage Open Day

All applicants are warmly invited to engage with Documentary Heritage collections on Tuesday 14 October 2025 in the Research Library on level two at Auckland Museum for either time slots below:

Check our website and collections online to learn more about the Auckland Museum’s Documentary Heritage Collections

https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/discover/collections/about/documentary-heritage

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Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Auckland War Memorial Museum, shares stories of Tāmaki Makaurau, its people, whenua and place in Pacific. We are a war memorial, the country's oldest research institution and one of New Zealand's top three heritage libraries. We care for over 4.5 million taonga including pre-eminent Māori and Pacific collections, significant natural history resources as well as social, military and documentary heritage collections. We are also a major tourism destination, education provider and event venue.

Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Auckland War Memorial Museum, shares stories of Tāmaki Makaurau, its people, whenua and place in Pacific. We are a war memorial, the country's oldest research institution and one of New Zealand's top three heritage libraries. We care for over 4.5 million taonga including pre-eminent Māori and Pacific collections, significant natural history resources as well as social, military and documentary heritage collections. We are also a major tourism destination, education provider and event venue.

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