Inside Te Papa: Building a Career in Museums, Copyright & Cultural Stewardship with Catriona McPherson

Catriona McPherson grew up in Cambridge, surrounded by stories, art, and a curiosity about the world - but like many students drawn to the humanities, she wasn’t sure exactly where that path could lead.

In this episode, Catriona shares how she turned a love of art history into a meaningful career at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa - one of New Zealand’s most iconic cultural institutions.

She takes us through her journey from studying art history at Victoria University of Wellington to starting on the museum floor as a host, and gradually working her way into the highly specialised world of copyright, licensing, and cultural stewardship across the GLAM sector (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums).

Today, as a Rights Manager at Te Papa, Catriona works behind the scenes to manage how artworks, images, and cultural materials are used - from exhibitions and digital platforms to education resources - helping balance access, storytelling, and respect for creators and communities.

This episode is for anyone interested in history, culture, storytelling, or careers that sit outside the “obvious” path - and for those wanting to turn curiosity into meaningful work.