Ashley Stewart
Education Officer
Meet our leadership team—a group of dedicated professionals who bring a wealth of experience, vision, and passion to our organisation.
From Nelson to Ōtepoti
Kia ora, I’m Ashley Stewart, Education Officer at Tūhura Otago Museum. I was born in sunny Nelson but moved down to Ōtepoti Dunedin when I was young, and I’ve called it home ever since.
University was just across the road from the Museum, where I studied Theatre Studies at the University of Otago. Like many students, I changed my minor more than once, sampling Media Studies, Classics, Computer Science, and eventually settling on English. Each subject brought new ideas and inspiration, but Theatre remained at the heart of it all.
From Performance to Public Engagement
What drew me to Theatre in the first place was the sheer courage and creativity it takes to share something personal and passionate in front of an audience. Whether it’s a live stage show, a documentary, or a TED Talk, those moments of connection are powerful.
That love for storytelling and education came together one day when I watched a museum educator present ancient Greek myth to a group of students. It wasn’t realism that caught my attention; it was the energy woven into the presentation that completely enraptured the students. The educator struck a perfect balance between education and entertainment, and not a single child looked disengaged or disinterested. A rare and remarkable thing. Seeing how the students lit up with curiosity and excitement made me realise how my background in performance and my passion for history could merge into something equally engaging and impactful: teaching in a museum.
A Role That Changes by the Hour
As an Education Officer, no two days are ever the same. I design and deliver educational programmes for schools all over Aotearoa and even a few from overseas. I do everything from research and resource creation to hands-on activities and managing our legendary Museum Sleepovers.
One moment I’m teaching young tamariki about early Pacific voyaging, and the next I’m leading high school students through the science of human evolution or the magic of ancient Egypt. Whether it’s using real moa bones, sparking fireballs, or immersing students in virtual reality, the goal is always the same: to ignite curiosity and inspire learning in ways that traditional classrooms can’t always offer.
Tools of the Trade: From Swords to Simulations
The Museum’s collections are unlike anything else. I love that I can walk students through thousands of years of human history in just a few steps. One second we’re in ancient Mesopotamia, the next we’re navigating the Pacific by starlight.
My own background in game design and 3D modelling has allowed me to blend the digital with the historical to create gamified learning experiences. I’m currently working on a virtual reality project where students can “sail” a traditional Polynesian waka across the ocean, using ancient navigation tools. It’s one way to honour the knowledge of our ancestors and make it feel tangible for today’s learners.
As for favourite items? It’s a tie. The sword collection in the People of the World Gallery speaks to my love of historical martial arts—each blade a story, a purpose, a craft. But there’s also a confronting, powerful billsticker advertising a colonial-era “exotic” show featuring Indigenous Australians. The language is appalling by modern standards, but it’s a vital reminder of where we’ve come from and how far we still have to go. Museums hold space for both wonder and reflection, and that’s what makes this work so important.