Pūkenga/Pūkenga Matua | Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Songwriting

• Do you have a PhD / DMA or equivalent in popular music or related fields?
• Are you a high-level singer songwriter with a deep commitment to storytelling through music?
• Have you got a high-level artistic profile and a body of significant artistic practice work and research?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting a Pūkenga - Lecturer / Pūkenga Matua - Senior Lecturer in Songwriting as part of the Bachelor of Popular Music Program at Te Kōki - New Zealand School of Music. This is a permanent, full-time position.

Key responsibilities:

• Developing and teaching relevant courses in songwriting for the Bachelor of Popular Music.
• Developing and teaching into performance for the Bachelor of Popular Music
• Development of and teaching into popular music theory if required.
• Engage in national and international research that seeks to make music and define popular music in the 21st Century.
• Articulate and lead a progressive vision for popular music that is informed by Indigenous music making, decolonisation and gender equity. 
• Engage in the high-level administration needed at the university.
• Work with other programs and majors at Te Kōki as required.
• Promote the Popular Music programme at Te Kōki in a wide and varied range of outreach activities.
• Play a significant part in the culture of Te Kōki by working in our committees and other forms of service.
• Undertake Research Higher Degree supervision in accordance with your experience.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

The ideal candidate will:

• Be a high-level singer songwriter with a deep commitment to storytelling through music. 
• Write music in lots of ways, with a guitar / piano, computer. 
• Be a skilled arranger and have recording and some music business experience. 
• Write about music as well as make it. 
• Want to work in a progressive music school that seeks to address the historical imbalances of music while preserving its essential traditions. 
• Work well in a team and genuinely care for others, creating a safe space for students and staff. 

Key requirements:

• PhD / DMA or equivalent in popular music or related fields. Indigenous applicants without a PhD are welcome to apply although will have to enrol in a postgraduate degree programme if successful.
• A high-level artistic profile and a body of significant artistic practice work and research.
• The ability to write about popular music and music in scholarly and general settings.
• Excellent pedagogical skills; experience in music education at a tertiary level.

Te Kōki - NZ School of Music strongly encourages Māori, Pasifika and all Indigenous Peoples to apply. Te Kōki - NZ School of Music also strongly encourages women and non-binary people(s) to apply.

Pūkenga - Lecturer Role Description - Click here to see further information, including salary.

Pūkenga Matua - Senior Lecturer Role Description - Click here to see further information, including salary.

Close date for vacancy: 30 April 2025.

Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role, please get in touch with Kim Cunio (kim.cunio@vuw.ac.nz).

Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scientific and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand - and our students thrive on the connections we’ve made here.

Explore the many benefits of working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Find out where you fit in our strategic direction and learn more about our research expertise.