The national museum Te Papa is on an international hunt for a new chief executive.
Its outgoing head Mike Houlihan is being seconded to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage for a year as its special adviser on military heritage leading up to next year's Anzac centenary.
He starts at the Ministry in under two weeks, but will continue to help Te Papa with its First World War exhibition programme.
Mr Houlihan oversaw the removal and subsequent replacement of dozens of roles at the museum.
An acting chief executive will be appointed until a replacement is found.
