Sheldon Werner Summer Studentships 2026/2027
We are looking forward to welcoming a new cohort of Summer Scholars at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum for the 2026/2027 summer. Auckland Museum’s annual Summer Student Programme is open to promising students from a range of disciplines. Students will be part of a cohort with the programme running for ten weeks over the summer to gain career-relevant experience. Students will have opportunity to train with Museum professionals and will gain an insight into the culture and heritage sector.
Our Summer Studentships provide an opportunity to undertake a project tailored to your interests and aspirations.
About the programme
The Summer Studentship will be approximately ten weeks in length, with training running from the 16th of November until the 12th of February, with a break over the Christmas and New Year period.
Cohort style programme, with tours and talks from staff at Tāmaki Paenga Hira.
Stipend of $7000 will be awarded to each successful student.
Students will be required to sign an agreement outlining the terms and conditions of their scholarship. All students will be required to produce a brief research report and present at the Summer Student Symposium.
Students must be currently enrolled in a New Zealand tertiary institution and have completed at least two years of tertiary study to be eligible to apply for the Summer Studentships. You must be intending to continue your studies in 2027.
Please include in your application a brief CV, cover letter and your academic transcript (unofficial or official). You will be asked to apply for a specific project, though you can apply for more than one project. Please note that in the instance of multiple project applications, applicants will only be considered for one project interview. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in an assessment centre, on October 5th, 2026, at Auckland Museum.
Applications for 2026/2027 Sheldon Werner Summer Studentships have now closed. Succesful applicants will be contacted shortly.
If you have any questions about the Summer Student Programme, please email research@aucklandmuseum.com
We are grateful to the Sheldon Werner Charitable Fund, the Wikimedia Foundation Knowledge Equity Fund, MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology, and The J. Barry Ferguson Memorial Trust for their support of our 2026-2027 summer scholarships.
Summer Studentships available in 2026/2027
Auckland Museum Exhibition History Research
The Documentary Heritage team is embarking on a project to enrich our records of key historic exhibitions held at Auckland War Memorial Museum within the last century. Recently, data related to over 700 exhibitions has been added to the Museum’s object management database. A continuation of this work, this project will involve research and database enrichment by utilising primary and secondary resources held within the Museum’s Documentary Heritage collections. The result will be updated records, and a report detailing the research carried out. The role will be supported by the Collection Manager Museum Archives, and Collection Manager Documentary Heritage.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Excellent research skills using both primary and secondary resources
* Attention to detail and ability to accurately transcribe information
* An interest in and understanding of museum/archival practices
* Ability to adapt to unfamiliar processes and computer software
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/541
Characterisation of Historical New Zealand Game Fish Catches
During the first half of the twentieth century, New Zealand was actively promoted as an international sport fishing destination, with big game fishing clubs established along the east coast of Northland and the Bay of Plenty. Records of anglers' catches were regularly published in newspapers, club reports and museum archives, providing a unique historical record of New Zealand's early recreational fishery. This project will investigate historic game fish catches off the northeast North Island between 1920 and 1980 using museum archives and online historical sources. The findings will provide new insights into the species composition, size and trends of northern New Zealand's sport fishery while enhancing the provenance and documentation of specimens held in the Museum's collections.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Skilled in the use of Excel
* Interest in ichthyology and/or sport fishing
* Attention to detail, and ability to accurately transcribe information
* Strong literature research skills
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/542
Creating an Inventory of Archaeology Field Notes
Archaeological field notes are an important part of the archaeological record, providing context and information regarding excavated material and the sites they are from. The Museum holds field notes from many of its collections; however, these notes have not yet been inventoried to a level where they can fully enhance collection records and facilitate further research. This project will create an inventory and expand the information captured about the field notes held within the Museum’s collections. This will enhance collection records and provide a resource to support further research and understanding of the collections.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Research and writing skills
* Knowledge of New Zealand archaeology
* Knowledge of archaeological field methods and recording
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/543
Using Artificial Intelligence to Support Collection Cataloguing
This project explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to support the cataloguing of museum collections by improving the efficiency, consistency, and visibility/accessibility of collection records. Rather than replacing museum professionals, the project investigates how AI can assist with routine cataloguing tasks such as generating descriptions, extracting metadata, suggesting keywords and improving searchability across digital platforms. The project will compare the benefits and limitations of different AI tools when generating importable data and develop recommendations for its responsible and effective use. From this evaluation the student will provide a report outlining findings, limitations, and future opportunities for AI in collection cataloguing.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Confidence using digital tools and software, with an interest in exploring emerging technologies such as generative AI, machine learning, or data analysis.
* Previous experience with AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or Claude) is advantageous but not essential.
* An understanding of ethical considerations surrounding AI, including bias, transparency, copyright, and cultural sensitivity.
* Critical thinking to question AI-generated outputs and understand when human expertise is needed.
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/544
Evaluation of ‘The Future of Our Fruit’ Public Engagement Experience
This Summer Studentship project is the result of a research partnership between Auckland Museum and the Bioeconomy Science Institute. The student will support the evaluation of The Future of Our Fruit, an interactive exhibition exploring how plant science and genetics can help develop fruit crops that are resilient to climate change. Working alongside Museum staff, the student will assess visitor engagement using a range of quantitative and qualitative methods, including recording visitor numbers, measuring time spent interacting with the exhibition, and conducting short visitor interviews. At the conclusion of the project, the student will produce a report summarising visitor engagement, key findings, challenges encountered, and recommendations to inform future public engagement exhibitions and science communication initiatives.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Strong report writing skills
* Research Skills
* Attention to detail and ability to accurately transcribe information
* A background in biology, botany or agricultural research would be beneficial
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/546
The Decorative Art of Fauna and Flora in the Mackelvie Collection
Scotsman James Tannock Mackelvie (1824–1885) spent years assembling a remarkable collection of decorative arts objects which he intended as a teaching collection for the people of Auckland. Today the Mackelvie Collection is held across Auckland Museum, Auckland Art Gallery and Auckland Libraries. Mackelvie was passionate about the natural world, and this project takes flora and fauna as its theme which is depicted in these objects. The successful applicant will research selected works from the Auckland Museum collection with supervised access and specialist support, and produce a research report, a symposium presentation, and a piece for the Mackelvie Collection website. We welcome applicants interested in the decorative arts, art history, natural sciences, or creative research. Applicants are advised to look at the Mackelvie Collection online. Supported by the Mackelvie Trust, with funding from the J. Barry Ferguson Memorial Trust, which supports research into flora and fauna.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Interest in decorative arts
* Attention to detail
* Inquisitive mind
* Research skills
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/545
Significance & Condition Survey for Heron Cars Limited Archive and Vehicle Collection at MOTAT
This project, delivered in partnership with the Museum of Transport and Technology, will investigate the Heron Cars Limited collection to better understand the significance of one of Aotearoa’s few home-grown sports car manufacturers. The student will undertake research into the Heron vehicles, archival records and photographic collections to establish the relationships between these materials and enrich collection catalogue records. Working alongside MOTAT's Conservation team, the student will also gain practical experience in museum conservation by contributing to condition reports for the Heron vehicles, supporting their long-term preservation and interpretation. The project will culminate in a report summarising the significance of the Heron collection, its historical context, and recommendations for enhancing collection records to support future research, conservation and public engagement.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Research and analysis skills
* Familiarity with Microsoft programmes including SharePoint, Excel & Word
* A basic understanding of Gallery, Library, Arts, Museum practice, and an interest in conservation approaches
* An interest in recent-era NZ vehicle manufacturing, 21st century NZ history
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/548
Materials Testing for Storage and Display
Materials used in storage, display and exhibition construction can sometimes release harmful compounds that accelerate the deterioration of museum collections. Understanding how to identify potentially hazardous materials is an important part of conservation. This project will investigate rapid screening methods that could enhance Auckland Museum’s materials testing workflow and support more efficient decision-making. The student will undertake practical testing of a range of materials using techniques such as burn testing, pH testing, Acid Detection (A-D) strips, and visual or microscopic examination. The project will explore whether these simple and cost-effective methods can reliably identify materials that require further assessment through Oddy testing or can be quickly excluded from storage and display applications. The student will analyse test results, evaluate the effectiveness of different screening approaches and contribute to the development of practical testing protocols that support the long-term preservation of museum collections.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Knowledge of materials chemistry
* Experience in testing and scientific experimentation, ie chemistry
* Ability to interpret results and draw conclusions
* Effective written communication skills (to draft clear testing protocols)
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/547
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Local and Natural Histories Wikipedia Project
This project will train a cohort of Wikipedia interns to undertake the creation, editing and enhancement of Auckland local history pages on Wikipedia. This year one of the cohort will also be focused on Natural Science related topics, creating content related to Museum galleries and research on Pukekawa/Auckland Domain. These studentships are the result of Auckland Museum’s partnership with Wikimedia platforms to support open access projects and will contribute high-quality free knowledge and resources to the public, highlighting diverse and underrepresented histories. It 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.
This project will best suit a student with:
* Research skills, using both online and library resources
* An interest in public history or science communication and the local and natural histories of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
* Local history students: Ability to synthesise and summarise historical research and complex information into clear, concise writing for a general audience; Natural Science student: experience reading and producing scientific writing
* While prior Wikipedia editing would be a plus, no previous experience is required, and full training will be provided over the course of the studentship
Apply here: https://aucklandmuseum.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/opportunities/job/view/549
