Matafatafa Aho Pacific Artist in Residence 2026

Matafatafa Aho Pacific Artist in Residence 2026

Auckland War Memorial Museum : Connecting through stories of people, lands and seas

Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum is a much-loved culture and heritage organisation. Situated at the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s identity, the Museum is committed to the outstanding management of its world-class collections, its employees and volunteers who tell the Museum’s stories. We are Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland's home of commemoration, as well as the country’s oldest research institution, and a major local and tourist destination.

In celebration of the new Pacific plan titled Matafatafa Aho (A new Dawn) for , and at the successful conclusion of the 2025 Pacific Artist in Residency, Tāmaki Paenga Hira is excited to invite new applications for 2026.

We invite Pacific artists to engage with our documentary heritage collection over a dynamic three-month journey starting in March 2026 to produce a new artwork.

We welcome artist engagement with specific Pacific texts including documentary heritage treasure trove filled with captivating manuscripts, heartfelt letters, quirky ephemera, rare periodicals, insightful papers, and beloved books.

Whether your passion lies in crafting a powerful play, weaving together a compelling poetry collection, penning a mesmerising short story, producing powerful visual art, scripting an impactful film, or developing an unforgettable performance, we want to support your creativity.

Step into the past and let it inspire your future. Dive into our rich documentary heritage collection and unlock untold histories, stories, people and places in your artistic journey. Don’t miss out on this incredible chance—apply now and embark on a transformative creative adventure!

2026 Applications open from 29 September – 19 October 2025, 11.59pm

The conditions for the residency are as follows. The resident artist is / will be :

• of Pacific descent and based in Auckland
• either an emerging (i.e. at least two years in the industry) or established Pacific artist from any art genre
• guided by the Museum’s strategic plans, including He Korahi Māori; the Pacific Teu le Va, Matafatafa Aho
• specific in what you want to engage with, to inform your new artwork, with the Pacific items in the documentary heritage collection.

The successful applicant will :

All applicants are warmly invited to engage with Documentary Heritage collections on Tuesday 14th October 2025 in the Research Library on level 2 at Auckland Museum for either time slots below :

1. 10am-12pm

2. 5pm-7pm – Twilight Tuesday hours

Forward all questions to :

#J-18808-Ljbffr