Christine Wierda
Front of House Operations Officer
Working behind the scenes and on the front line to ensure every visitor enjoys a seamless Museum experience.
Growing Up in Ōtepoti
Kia ora, I'm Christine Wierda, Front of House Operations Officer at Tūhura Otago Museum. I was born in Auckland but grew up in Ōtepoti Dunedin, where I've spent most of my life.
I stayed in Dunedin for university, studying Psychology and Archaeology at the University of Otago. During those years, I worked as a sports coach while picking up experience in hospitality, retail, and even face painting. Those varied roles taught me the importance of connecting with people, something that continues to shape the way I work today.
My journey at Tūhura began as an Education Presenter before moving into my current role supporting our Front of House team.
Behind the Scenes of Every Visit
As Front of House Operations Officer, I help keep the Museum running smoothly behind the scenes. I support and schedule our front of house team, coordinate cruise ship and tourism bookings, organise ticketing, create visitor trails and tours, and work closely with community groups.
No two days are ever quite the same. One moment I might be in meetings or answering emails, the next I'm creating visitor experiences or jumping onto the front desk to welcome visitors and sell tickets. Every day brings something different, and that's one of the things I enjoy most about the role.
Creating Memorable Experiences
Without question, my favourite part of working at Tūhura is the people. Whether I'm helping visitors find their way, supporting our team, or introducing someone to something they've never seen before, I love being able to make someone's day a little brighter, especially on one of Dunedin's colder, greyer days.
My favourite object in the Museum is our beautiful brown bear in the Animal Attic. He's faded a little over the years, but I think that only adds to his charm. He's a wonderful reminder of the Museum's history and how displays have evolved over time, while still inspiring curiosity in visitors today.
Beyond the Museum
When I'm not at the Museum, you'll usually find me at the pool coaching or training. And whenever I'm daydreaming about my next adventure, it's often of sailing to Antarctica one day, a destination that's fascinated me for as long as I can remember.