Matariki - Curator Mātauranga Māori

Matariki appreciated the support she received from the Programme as a studying parent. She is the inaugural Kaihautū Māori for the National Digital Forum.

Curator Mātauranga Māori, Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand

Returning to study Museums and Heritage Studies was the fulfilment of a dream that was first planted when I worked at Te Papa as Acting Manager of the Image Library in 2007. It was a pervasive dream that stayed with me as I moved overseas, came home, had a baby and a year at home with her. The course provided not only the theoretical base on which to evolve my ideas and biases about the sector, but through my practicums with Te Papa, Wellington Museum and National Services Te Paerangi, I had the opportunity to test these in a working environment with real life museum workers! Throughout the two and a half years that I was with the programme, I was supported amazingly by Conal, Lee and Annie through the many ups and downs (think vomiting bugs and sleepless nights) that come with studying as a parent.

When I completed my dissertation, I found it very hard to find work in Wellington, something which I know many people entering the sector from study will understand. Eventually I secured a contract as Assistant Advisor, Heritage Operations at Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture and Heritage, before moving to the Assistant Advisor - Taonga Tūturu role. Working at MCH was a huge period of growth for me, professionally and personally and I would recommend it as a workplace as it has a very kind and supportive culture. When I left MCH, I was working as the Resource Researcher in the Researcher and Publishing team which works across the multiple online platforms that MCH delivers (Te Ara, NZ History etc.) and was part of a working group that established the Women's Network.

I am now at Te Papa as a Curator Mātauranga Māori where I work across a breadth of projects in the museums and advocate for Māori perspectives.

Aside from working at Te Papa, I am also the co-founder, alongside Nina Finigan, of the website Tusk – Emergent Culture which is a platform for people entering the sector to write about the sector in their own voice. With Tusk, we have periodic themes and invite response to these themes which we publish. If you’re interested in contributing, get in touch.