Job opportunities for archivists are average. This is because:
- there are only about 400 archivists working in New Zealand, and a relatively small number of jobs available
- staff turnover is low – 37% of archivists are aged 55 or over
- there are few jobs advertised and competition for positions can be high.
This can make it especially hard for new graduates looking for work.
According to the Census, 411 archivists worked in New Zealand in 2018.
Increase your chances of getting an archivist job
You can increase your chances of finding work as an archivist by:
- gaining experience with electronic databases
- gaining experience which gives you good research skills
- developing knowledge of New Zealand history and government
- joining professional associations, which can help you network and find out about work opportunities.
Wide range of organisations employ archivists
Archives New Zealand is the single biggest employer of archivists. About 23% of archivists work at libraries and 10% at museums. The rest work for a range of employers including:
- local government
- universities
- iwi
- religious organisations such as churches
- historical societies
- private companies such as banks.
A quarter of archivists work part time. There are also a small number of self-employed archivists.
