Summer Studentships available in 2025/2026
Characterising collectors of the Pacific Entomology collection
The Auckland Museum Pacific Entomology collection contains over 6,000 specimens from the wider Pacific region (excluding Aotearoa New Zealand). These were overwhelmingly collected by individuals who were not citizens of those Pacific nations including associates of the Auckland Museum. In most cases, information about these collectors is fragmentary and separated from their collections. The student will reconnect material from documentary heritage and natural sciences collections to generate profiles for the most prolific collectors. With guidance, the student will then select and more deeply investigate one or more individuals to build a holistic portrait of the collector(s). In so building this portrait, the student will reflect on relationship between historic scientific and social conventions as evidenced within the resulting corpus of entomological specimens and data and consider how this relationship may influence the way the story of Pacific biodiversity is told today.
This project will best suit a student with:
* An interest in natural history collections
* Knowledge of Pacific culture and history
* Familiarity with archival research
* An interest in museology and provenance research
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/499
Mapping Microclimates and Pest Risk Zones
How do environmental factors shape pest behaviour inside a museum? This project investigates the relationship between environmental conditions and insect pest activity at Auckland Museum. Drawing on historical monitoring data, the student will identify spatial and seasonal pest trends, create visual risk maps, and develop a prototype reporting tool to support preventive conservation efforts. The project offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with Collection Care staff strengthen skills in data analysis and digital mapping and contribute to the long-term protection of taonga.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Basic data analysis and Excel proficiency
* Interest in museum preventive conservation and collection care
* Familiarity with data visualization tools
* Research and analytical thinking skills
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/501
Survey of Auckland's war-related historical geography
Since initial settlement in the mid-14th century the Auckland region has had a long association with war / armed conflict. This project focuses on information mining as the initial stage in a proposed long-term project to better understand the range and depth of those associations through locations and structures (natural and man-made), their influence on the city’s development and the ways in which their respective life cycles suggest/reflect changing perspectives and attitudes. The museum-based research aims to review traditional, historical, and contemporary sources to begin collating a list of protected, existing and disappeared military and civilian sites in the Auckland urban area that have a demonstrable association with New Zealand’s war experience.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Research skills including the ability to work with museum collection database, library/archive and online resources
* Curiosity, tenacity, discrimination and ability to connect dots
* Attention to detail and ability to accurately transcribe information
* Interest in public history, historical geography and/or spatial history
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/502
Survey of New Zealand Aerial Mapping (NZAM) Collection (ephemera & manuscripts)
This project surveys a collection of ephemeral and manuscript items that make up the New Zealand Aerial Mapping (NZAM) collection housed in the Walsh Memorial Library at MOTAT. NZAM was a significant provider of aerial mapping and topographical publications from the 1930’s through to the 1990’s and MOTAT holds a collection of pictorial, ephemera & manuscripts, aircraft and other cartographic technologies which relate directly to NZAM. Research will focus on gaining an understanding of the relevance and significance of ephemera and manuscript collection, and connecting the items academically to other NZAM objects in the collection. The linking of such items will enrich the understanding and context of NZAM objects in the collection making them more discoverable and accessible to our communities. The successful applicant will be based at MOTAT for 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday), and at Auckland Museum on Tuesdays for weekly talks and tours.
This project will best suit a student with:
* A strong interest in cartography/geography and/or NZ documentary heritage
* Strong research skills, attention to detail and a curious mind
* An awareness of Archival standards and practices
* Experience using MS SharePoint and Excel
* Comfortability interacting across the organisation at all levels
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/503
Huruhuru hipi: Use of wool in taonga Māori
This project is to scope the use of wool as a material throughout 19th century taonga Māori in the Auckland Museum collection. Our goal is to capture and interpret the breadth of this use of wool taonga Māori, which will primarily be in kākahu (garments such as cloaks) and kete (bags) but will include non-textile objects such as weaponry and personal adornment. The student will conduct a research survey of the collection to establish types of taonga wool is found on, its incorporation into the taonga and its relationship to other materials. The aim of the project is to gain a greater understanding of the breadth of wool in the collection and to understand the relationships between wool and other materials, and its role as an innovation and adaption in 19th century Māori art. Key tasks include database research, physical study of taonga, spreadsheet building and analytical writing.
This project will best suit a student with:
* An interest in and understanding of Aotearoa's history
* Familiarity and confidence with tikanga and Te Ao Māori
* Ability to maintain concentration observing and recording fine details
* Strong research skills including written analysis and interpretation
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/500
Communicating Complexity in the Museum Context
Museums are dynamic spaces for research, learning, and cultural exchange. As trusted public institutions, museums play a vital role in fostering open dialogue, presenting complex ideas, and encouraging thoughtful debate. This project investigates how museums can effectively communicate complex, contested, or sensitive topics to diverse audiences. The selected student will conduct a horizon scan to identify current trends, challenges, and innovative approaches in museum interpretation, particularly in the communication of advanced scientific concepts and historically sensitive subjects. Based on this research, the student will develop a set of practical recommendations that can inform Auckland Museum future exhibitions, helping ensure that difficult or nuanced topics are communicated in ways that are inclusive, respectful, and intellectually engaging.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Research literacy and information retrieval
* Critical thinking
* The ability to synthesise information
* Time management and the ability to work independently
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/498
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Local Histories Wikipedia Project
The Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Local Histories Wikipedia Project will train a cohort of Wikipedia interns to undertake the creation, editing and enhancement of Auckland local history and suburb pages on Wikipedia. This work will contribute resources to teachers and students across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for use in the Aotearoa NZ Histories Curriculum. The project is based on previous research the Museum has undertaken around the viability of Wikipedia as a learning resource and contributes to the work done as part of the Wikimedia Foundation Funded project Understanding our past: using Wikipedia as a tool to support local history in Tāmaki Makaurau. There are opportunities to participate in the Wikipedia project at four organisations, each with a different focus:
* Auckland Museum (two students) - Social history, human history, Māori and Pacific history
* MOTAT (one student) - Transport, technology, aviation history
* New Zealand Maritime Museum (two students) - Migration history, military history, NZ maritime history
* The Fletcher Trust Archives (one student) - Engineering, architecture, built history, commerce, business
When submitting your cover letter, please ensure that you start by introducing your top three preferences for locations.
Please note that you may not get your top preferences due to number of applicants.
Successful applicants for MOTAT, NZMM, and The Fletcher Trust Archives will be based these organisations 2 days a week (Wednesday and Thursday), and at Auckland Museum 2 days a week (Monday and Tuesday).
This project will best suit a student with:
* Ability to work independently and take initiative
* Good problem solving and attention to detail
* Research skills and ability to work alongside and handle archival records
* An interest in Archives, architecture, building, engineering, or commercial history
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/504