Pou Atawhai - Creative Arts Therapy Lecturer
- North Island, Aotearoa, New Zealand
- Permanent, Part-time, 0.5 FTE
Whitecliffe
Whitecliffe is one of the leading art, design, IT, and fashion schools in Aotearoa. Since 1984 we've focused on one thing, turning creativity into a career! At Whitecliffe it's about you - your ideas, your style, your future. We're here to help you grow as an individual and give you the tools to succeed. Our values - Integrity, Courage, Creativity, Belonging and Respect form the bedrock of our commitment to collaborative synergy.
About Creative Arts Therapy at Whitecliffe
Whitecliffe's School of Creative Arts Therapy (SoCAT) aspires to deliver transformative therapeutic education, where traditional healing practices are honoured and contemporary creative arts therapy methodologies are learned. Our programmes are designed to prepare the next generation of culturally responsive creative arts therapists who will shape the future of healing and wellbeing in Aotearoa. From PGDip to Master's level, we encourage our students to develop their therapeutic practice within the unique cultural context of New Zealand.
We foster an environment where creative arts therapy and te ao Māori intersect with contemporary therapeutic practices, creating culturally safe and affirming learning spaces. Our students engage with work-integrated learning opportunities that bridge academic theory with authentic community practice, ensuring graduates are culturally responsive and equipped to serve diverse communities across Aotearoa.
Our commitment to educational excellence is reflected in our adherence to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, iwi and community connections, and a curriculum that weaves together Hauora Māori models with Western creative arts therapy frameworks.
About You
We are seeking a Lecturer - Pou Atawhai (North Island) to provide dual academic and cultural leadership for our School of Creative Arts Therapy.
You will combine core lecturer responsibilities with key cultural leadership, supporting the meaningful integration of te ao Māori throughout teaching, learning, research and community practice. You will have demonstrated grounding in te ao Māori, tikanga, and kaupapa Māori with a passion for excellence in higher education delivery alongside cultural responsiveness.
You will be an inspiring educator and cultural leader, capable of delivering quality teaching across multiple courses and levels while guiding curriculum development that weaves together Hauora Māori models with Western creative arts therapy frameworks. Your approach will be scholarly and relational, engaging in research activities that advance bicultural approaches to Creative Arts Therapy while supporting students and faculty with cultural navigation.
Working collaboratively with the South Island Pou Atawhai and as a member of Te Rōpū Whatukura – Whitecliffe's internal Māori Advisory Board, you will contribute to the development of a distinctive Aotearoa approach to Creative Arts Therapy that reflects our unique cultural context.
Skills and Qualifications
- Must have a relevant qualification at the level required to teach in the programme(s) or a relevant professional qualification or a significant profile in the professional community
- Tertiary teaching or adult education qualification or equivalent
- Must have tertiary teaching experience
- Demonstrated research capability with evidence of scholarly output
- Demonstrated grounding in te ao Māori, tikanga, and kaupapa Māori with strong cultural knowledge and practice
- Strong preference for the appointee to be tangata whenua, given the cultural leadership and relational responsibilities of the role
- Experience in cultural leadership, facilitation, or cultural support roles within therapeutic or academic contexts
- Ability to perform cultural practices such as karakia, whaikōrero, waiata and mihi as required
- Familiarity with Creative Arts Therapy, mental health, and/or community wellbeing approaches
- Experience in curriculum development or integration of cultural frameworks into educational programmes
- Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and culturally responsive practice
- Proven research skills and commitment to scholarly activity
- Excellent oral communication skills and good written skills
Personal Attributes:
- Inspiring cultural leader and educator with academic rigour and strong relational capabilities
- Collaborative, team-oriented approach with commitment to cultural safety and affirming practice
- Self-motivated and adaptable with high quality standards across diverse cultural and therapeutic contexts
- Passion for weaving together Hauora Māori models with contemporary therapeutic frameworks
- Commitment to fostering cultural curiosity, bi-culturalism and respect for Māori worldviews in all aspects of teaching, research and community engagement
"Ko te ngako o a tatou uaratanga he pai ake ta tatou noho tahi. Ko te tapatahi, te maia, te mahi auaha, te whai mana me te whakaute, ko nga pou o to tatou pono ki te mahi tahi me tetahi." Mena ka rite koe ki nga uara, katahi pea ko Whitecliffe te waahi e tino whai oranga ai koe
"The essence of our values is that we are better together. Integrity, Courage, Creativity, Belonging and Respect are the cornerstones of our commitment to how we work with each other." If you share similar values, then Whitecliffe could well be the place where you really thrive.
If this sounds like you and you'd like to find out more, please APPLY NOW!