Management
Leadership and the bicultural partnership
Te Papa has made a commitment to being a bicultural organisation, and acknowledges the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi and the partnership implicit in the Treaty. Te Papa’s bicultural policy is designed to ensure the development of a strong operational partnership between Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti that is active throughout the organisation and at the governance level.
Te Papa is led by a Chief Executive and a Kaihautū (Māori leader), who share responsibility for the strategic leadership of Te Papa, including the bicultural development of the organisation.
Specifically, the Chief Executive is responsible for the ongoing conduct of the Museum’s operations, and the Kaihautū leads the process of developing and enhancing iwi relationships founded on mana taonga and the operation of Rongomaraeroa.
Te Papa’s Chief Executive is Dr Seddon Bennington and the position of Kaihautū is held by Michelle Hippolite.
Organisation structure
Te Papa is organised in eleven business groups as follows:
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Corporate Services - includes the functions of finance/administration, risk strategy, building services, and information technology and development.
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People and Strategy - includes the functions of human resources, and strategic policy and planning.
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Te Roopu Whakamana Māori (Māori Strategy) - includes the functions of iwi relationships, marae management and tikanga development, organisation bicultural development and bicultural policy, and repatriation.
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Marketing and Communications - includes the functions of visitor and market research, communications and marketing, and tourism.
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Commercial - operates Te Papa’s commercial business including food services (
Te Papa Cafe,
Espresso,
ICON Functions Venue) and retail outlets (
Te Papa Store and Te Papa Kid's Store),
Picture Library visitor attractions, and
Te Papa Press. -
Funds Development - manages and develops partnership and sponsorship arrangements.
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Experience - includes the functions areas of concept and product development (including concept development, and interpretation and media), product and service delivery (including project management, design, touring exhibitions, customer services and guided tours), and the learning centre (including
Te Papa Education | Te Ipu Kāhuirangi,
Events and Entertainment, Discovery Centres and
Te Aka Matua Te Papa Library and Information Centre).
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National Services Te Paerangi - works in partnership with museums, iwi, and related organisations to build capacity, and enhance the sustainability of the services they provide in their local communities.
Te Papa also has business groups covering curatorial, collection management, research, and technical services across the four disciplines of: