Our People

Senior Leadership Team

LUCINDA BLACKLEY-JIMSON

  • Lucinda brings 25 years Museum experience to her position as Chief Executive. Past career highlights include senior visitor experience roles at Te Papa, Auckland Museum, MOTAT and Auckland Zoo. She is a current Board Member of Museums Aotearoa.

    Prior to joining the culture and heritage sector she worked in broadcasting. She has numerous qualifications in strategic leadership, people and project management, and an academic background concentrating on cultural anthropology and information studies.

    She believes that intrinsic to heritage inclusiveness in Aotearoa New Zealand are the principles that proceed from the Treaty of Waitangi, acknowledging tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti, partnership and rangatiratanga. Lucinda is passionate about creating meaningful experiences for museum visitors of all ages and backgrounds, innovative community engagement, and breaking down barriers to participation.

KELLY O’LEARY

  • Kelly is the Museum’s Kaiarataki Mātauranga – Lead Educator. Kelly, known as “Whaea Kelz” to the students, has been a kaiakō to many young people in this region during her 25 years of classroom teaching.

    Kelly brings with her a wealth of experience, including many years in both Māori and English Medium teaching, Educational Team Leadership, as well as curriculum and resource development. She has taught at every level of Primary School from Y0-Y8.

    Kelly aims to engage, enlighten and empower students in their learning. She is a creative and passionate teacher, a wonderful storyteller, and loves including te reo Māori in all her lessons. As a local Nelsonian, Kelly feels proud to deliver the stories of her hometown to the student of the Museum.

HANNAH DELL

  • Hannah has a background in libraries and customer service. A love of books inspired her to gain her bachelor’s degree in library and information studies and saw her working in various bookstores. Hannah spent several years overseas, where she was the manager of libraries at a large International school. Hannah also has experience in visitor information services and education and is a talented musician.

    Hannah looks after our Front of House team, the Museum Shop, and is Assistant to the Chief Executive. Hannah is responsible for the everyday administration and human resource needs at the museum, and is passionate about nurturing creative, positive, and productive relationships within teams.

HAMISH PETTENGELL

HAMUERA MANIHERA

Tūranga mahi | Jobs

Jobs

Collections Leader

full time, permanent


Application closes 7 August 2025

How to Apply 

Ready to take the next step in your career?
Apply today by sending your resume and a cover letter
to andi.houston@museumnp.org.nz


Are you a passionate, committed collections professional looking for an opportunity to make a real impact? Nelson Provincial Museum is looking for a strategic and experienced candidate to join our Leadership team in this key role. 

 

About the Role 

As the Collections Leader, you will: 

  • Lead and manage the Collections team 

  • Have responsibility for the care and accessibility of the Museum’s collections 

 

What We’re Looking For 

  • Proven leadership experience 

  • A post-graduate qualification in Museum Studies or similar relevant subject 

  • At least five years’ collection management experience 

  • Strong familiarity with all aspects of preventative conservation and navigating building services and facilities 

  • Experience working with collections with prescribed storage needs 

  • Technical understanding of information and web-based systems 

  • Experience working with iwi Māori 

  • Experience working with taonga Māori and understanding of relevant tikanga and legislation 

  • Previous experience in a similar or 2IC role is desirable 

  • Current Driver’s License is essential 

  • Experience in a collection move desirable 

 

Personal Skills 

  • Demonstrated commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi 

  • A creative approach to engagement and access for our visitors 

  • Authority and flexibility in coordinating and influencing activities across the organisation and with various stakeholders 

  • Ability to think strategically and see the big picture 

  • Project management skills with an ability to see things through to completion 

  • A team player who works collaboratively, internally and externally 

  • Customer focus and the ability to look at operations from the visitor’s perspective 

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills 

  • Ability to travel within New Zealand occasionally 

  • Ability to work occasional evenings when requested 

  • Ability to perform physical duties as required for the movement of art and packing 

    Join us and be part of something exceptional! 

Tūao

Volunteer

Volunteers are an important part of the Museum whānau

Volunteering at Nelson Provincial Museum can be a valuable way to get work experience, develop interests and share skills within a museum environment. We welcome volunteers in many areas of our operations and are always looking for all types of skills and experiences.

We want our volunteers to have a rewarding and enjoyable time working at Nelson Provincial Museum so the interests and skills of all applicants are carefully matched with suitable volunteer vacancies. Applicants should be aware that after registering their interest with us, there may be a wait for an appropriate role to become available.

Priority is given to volunteers who are making a long term commitment to volunteering, and all applicants must be prepared to accept a police check of their background. Before you apply for a position, please think carefully about your reasons for volunteering, and also how it will fit in with your other commitments.

Nelson Provincial Museum currently have eight volunteers who contributed more than 1,400 hours of collection and research support in our last financial year!

Would you like to apply?

To more information about volunteering at Nelson Provincial Museum email us at: enquiries@museumnp.org.nz