Jonathan Mane-Wheoki commenced as Director Art and Collection Services in February 2004. In this role, Mr Mane-Wheoki is responsible for leading research, curatorial, and collection management functions for Te Papa’s Art and Collection Services units.
This position includes teams responsible for loans, the collections information system, photography, and conservation and object support services.
Of Ngāpuhi and English descent, Jonathan Mane-Wheoki was educated in Auckland and at the University of Canterbury, and the Courtauld Institute of Art, London. He is a graduate in Fine Arts (with Honours in Painting), English Language and Literature, and Art History. He is also an Associate of Trinity College of Music, London.
Jonathan Mane-Wheoki was previously the Dean of Music and Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury. As Kaitiaki Māori (Honorary Curator of Māori Art) at the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu from 1992 to 2004, he was active in developing and curating exhibitions and presenting lectures and conference papers on art, museums, heritage, and cultural topics throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.
He has served on numerous national and international bodies including Te Waka Toi (the Māori Arts Board) and the Arts Council of Creative New Zealand, the International Council of the Centre Culturel Jean-Marie Tjibaou in Nouméa, and the Marsden Fund Council.
He is currently a governor of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand, Deputy Chair of the Council for the Humanities, and a member of the Council of the Royal Society.