Nau mai ki Te Puia
Te ūkaipō o te whare pūmau i ngā taonga tuku iho
Tomo mai ki te whare i whakaarahia i roto i te pā tūwatawata o ngā tūmanako.
Mō mātou | About us:
The New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI), located within Te Puia in Rotorua, is the custodian of traditional Māori arts, crafts, and cultural knowledge. Established to preserve and protect these taonga, NZMACI operates under the NZ Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Vesting Act 2020, continuing its mission to safeguard and promote the legacy of Māori culture for future generations.
NZMACI focuses on fostering mastery in traditional skills, developing leaders in Māori arts, and enriching the cultural and educational experiences of its tauira and kaimahi. It offers a proactive, values-driven workplace, encouraging personal and professional growth in a culturally fulfilling environment.
Mō te tūnga | About the role:
We are seeking an enthusiastic and customer-focused Āhua Gallery Host to join our team and help deliver a premium retail and cultural experience within Te Puia's contemporary Māori art gallery.
This is more than a retail role. You will be an ambassador for Māori culture and creativity, connecting manuhiri with authentic toi Māori while creating memorable and meaningful visitor experiences. Working alongside talented artists, tauira, and the wider NZMACI team, you will support the successful day-to-day operation of the gallery through exceptional customer service, sales excellence, visual merchandising, and gallery presentation.
The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy building genuine connections with customers, and be motivated by achieving sales outcomes while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and cultural integrity.
You'll be involved in:
Delivering exceptional customer and visitor experiences.
Building product knowledge and confidently sharing the stories behind artworks and taonga.
Achieving individual and team sales goals.
Visual merchandising and maintaining premium retail displays.
Processing sales and managing point-of-sale transactions.
Assisting with exhibition installations and gallery events.
Supporting inventory management and stock control.
Packaging and dispatching artwork purchases with care.
Contributing to the growth of gallery sales across both in-person and online channels.
A full position description is available on request.
Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring:
We'd love to hear from you if you have:
Proven experience in retail, gallery, luxury goods, tourism, hospitality, or customer service environments.
A passion for delivering outstanding customer experiences and building lasting customer relationships.
Strong sales skills with the ability to confidently recommend products and close sales.
Experience operating POS systems and managing retail transactions.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong attention to detail and pride in maintaining high presentation standards.
A positive, proactive, and solutions-focused approach.
Confidence working independently while contributing positively to a team environment.
A genuine appreciation for Māori culture, arts, and traditions.
Reliability, flexibility, and a strong work ethic.
Desirable experience
Experience working in a gallery, museum, tourism attraction, or premium retail environment.
Knowledge of toi Māori, tikanga Māori, and te reo Māori.
Experience with inventory management and stock control.
Experience supporting exhibitions, events, or visual merchandising.
Experience with e-commerce platforms, online sales fulfilment, website product management, social commerce, or digital retail channels.
Experience packaging and shipping high-value products or artworks.
Nōu te rourou | What’s in it for you:
The opportunity to work within one of Aotearoa's most significant cultural institutions.
A unique retail environment showcasing authentic Māori arts and craftsmanship.
Ongoing learning, development, and career growth opportunities.
Comprehensive medical and funeral insurance cover.
Complimentary weekly lunch and other food benefits.
Access to wellbeing initiatives, including a Wellbeing Allowance and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
A supportive team culture grounded in our values of Tuku Iho, Tiaki, Manaaki, and Whakanui.
Additional benefits and rewards apply.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply:
If you're passionate about customer service, retail excellence, Māori arts, and creating memorable experiences for visitors from around the world, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply online today with a covering letter outlining why you're the perfect fit for the role, along with your up-to-date CV. Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.
Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment checks, including Ministry of Justice and drug testing.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and interviews may commence prior to the closing date, so don't delay.
For more information about Te Puia, visit www.tepuia.com.
Join us at Te Puia and help share the stories, artistry, and cultural heritage of Aotearoa with the world.