Brenden - Collections

Discover how Brenden’s qualification led him to become a collection technician at the National Army Museum.

Collection Technician, National Army Museum

I came to the Museum and Heritage Studies programme in 2013 having previously completed a BA (hons) in Archaeology at the University of Otago. During my Master of Museum and Heritage Studies I completed three very different work placements which allowed me to put into practice the theoretical and practical skills that I had been taught throughout the course. The first of these was at the New Zealand Police Museum where I catalogued a collection of calibrations equipment which included everything from breathalysers to road spikes. I was then lucky enough to get a paid summer internship with the Auckland Council Heritage Unit where I researched and developed a desktop heritage survey report for a local area. Finally, I got to spend six weeks with the team in the National Library conservation lab learning some of the different ways to care for and preserve our document and visual heritage.

It soon became apparent that I was going to have to travel away from the main centres to get a job in this small and competitive industry. As a result, my first job after completing the Masters in Museum and Heritage Studies was at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, Northland where I became involved in a range of different museum roles, from accessioning objects and installing exhibitions to conducting guided tours which I probably would not have been able to do had I been in a larger institution.

I am currently employed as collection technician at the National Army Museum which is proving to be another great opportunity to utilise and build upon the skills and knowledge I have gained over the last few years.