Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School is inviting applications for four positions within our academic team:
Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist – Arts & Production Management (0.4 FTE fixed term)
Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist – Construction (0.4 FTE fixed term)
Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist – Research (0.4 FTE fixed term)
Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist – Theatre Technologies (0.6 FTE fixed term)
These roles contribute directly to the growth, development and excellence of our tauira as they train for careers within the Aotearoa performing arts sector. We are seeking individuals with deep specialist knowledge, strong professional practice, and a commitment to teaching within a decolonised collaborative environment.
For the right candidate, flexibility can be offered.
Te Kura Toi Whakaari o Aotearoa: New Zealand Drama School
Toi Whakaari 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.
ABOUT THE POSITIONS
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. These positions sit within our academic team and report 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. Further 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.
For the Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist – Arts & Production Management (0.4 FTE fixed term)
We are seeking candidates with strong stage, production, and event management experience across live performance, theatre or related creative industries. You will bring expertise in production planning, budgeting, scheduling, logistics, coordinating people and resources, and managing the practical delivery of creative projects. Experience supporting and mentoring emerging practitioners in a collaborative learning environment is highly valued.
For the Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist – Construction (0.4 FTE fixed term)
We are seeking candidates with strong practical skills and experience in construction, fabrication or related trades, who can bring their technical knowledge into a creative learning environment. Experience working with materials, tools, construction methods, and workshop practices is valued. You don’t need to come from a theatre background, but you will be keen to share your skills and support tauira to bring creative ideas to life.
For the Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist – Research (0.4 FTE fixed term)
We are seeking candidates with strong research skills and experience to support the development of undergraduate research capabilities. You will bring knowledge of research methods, critical inquiry, academic writing and information literacy, with the ability to guide tauira in developing research questions, exploring ideas and connecting research to their creative practice.
For the Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist – Theatre Technologies (0.6 FTE fixed term)
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/ staging technology, and technical design. You will bring current industry knowledge and a hands-on approach to supporting tauira to develop technical skills, explore creative possibilities and safely operate equipment in a live performance environment.
These roles are fixed term from 26 January to 26 November 2027.
The fixed term nature of these appointment reflects a defined phase in the implementation and further development of our academic programme. This will be the first year of teaching the programme’s (Bachelor of Performing Arts) second year course offerings, with a focus on developing course content, identifying the specialist craft expertise and teaching requirements needed to support the programme’s next stage. The programme is still very new, having been offered for the first time in 2026. We anticipate it is likely to continue to evolve significantly – including in terms of the course content, specialist craft expertise and teaching requirements needed – beyond the 2027 academic year. The commencement and expiry dates of the fixed term are therefore tied to the 2027 academic year as we do not yet have a clear sense of what the programme's needs may look like after that.
ABOUT YOU
Experience
Proficient current industry experience and knowledge
Experience in growing belonging and vision in an organisation
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.
Position Descriptions
Please go to our website to find position descriptions for each of these roles https://www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz/job
Remuneration
Salary Band B of Kaitātaki, Discipline Specialist: $65,000 to $70,000 FTE
5 weeks annual leave, per annum
Onsite parking
Commitment to ongoing development
How to Apply
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.
To apply or for further information please contact: [email protected]
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.