Senior Stitcher – Permanent, full-time
Why should you work with the Royal New Zealand Ballet?
- Join a leading, national arts organisation
- Supportive, dynamic environment with opportunity to learn & grow
- A genuine opportunity to influence our organisation with your ideas
- A unique chance to join our fast-paced marketing team and make a genuine impact on Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural community
The Royal New Zealand Ballet exists to enrich New Zealand communities and express who we are through ballet. The company’s repertoire includes 19th and 20th century classics as well as many commissioned works, including those by New Zealand choreographers and telling New Zealand stories.
Unique chance to join our close-knit costume team and make a genuine impact on Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural community.
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is a company of dynamic dancers from diverse backgrounds and presents a repertoire of classic and contemporary works across Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.
We are looking for a Senior Stitcher to assist the Head of Costume and Workroom Manager to ensure costumes are delivered to the highest quality.
In the role you will undertake industrial, domestic sewing and hand sewing for costume creation and manufacture, assistance during fittings, photoshoots as needed and alteration of costumes.
Occasional touring with the company may be required to undertake washing, drying, maintenance of costumes and dressing dancers.
Key Areas of Responsibilities are
Costume Creation and Manufacture
• Perform industrial, domestic sewing and hand sewing.
• Assists with pattern making.
• Assists with production process of garments/costumes.
• Pattern alteration as needed.
• Assists with fittings as needed.
• Assists with photoshoots as required.
• Alterations of garments and costumes as required.
• Travel maybe required.
Health and Safety
• Comply with all RNZB health and safety policies and procedures and keep the workroom free of hazards.
• Always observe best practice standards in the workroom, particularly in relation to use of machinery and the technical construction of costumes.
Other
• Undertake any other reasonable requests made by Head of Costume, Costume/Workroom Manager or Senior Costumier.
• Liaise with other RNZB Departments as required to ensure good communication and effectiveness across the organisation.
About you
• Minimum of 5 years previous experience in stitching and costume construction.
• Minimum of 5 years previous experience in a professional costume workroom.
• Pattern making experience.
• Proven competence in industrial and domestic machines.
• Excellence in hand sewing.
• Ability to construct a garment from start to finish.
• Ability to alter a wide range of garments or costumes.
What we offer
• Be part of a globally recognised arts organisation, making a significant impact on Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural community.
• Ticket perks to our performances.
• Flexible working environment.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Investment in your personal career development and training.
• Occasional opportunity to travel within New Zealand.
Come and join us: To find out more and apply, please visit rnzb.org.nz/careers. Please send your cover letter and cv to Recruitment@rnzb.org.nz
Applications close Monday 24 August, 2026
Contract Length: Permanent, full-time
