Newly Board to Safeguard Southland Museum’s Cultural Treasures
The Southland Museum and Art Gallery Board, freshly appointed to independently oversee the museum’s collection, convened for their inaugural meeting. This significant development in the governance of the institution transpired following a comprehensive review process in 2021 and 2022, culminating in the selection of seven distinguished individuals to guide the museum’s future endeavours.
The newly constituted board comprises a diverse array of talents and backgrounds, each bringing unique expertise to the table. Notable among them is David Hall-Jones, an esteemed former Hong Kong solicitor and High Court Judge, presently at the helm of Domaine Thomson Wines Ltd in Central Otago. His lineage traces back to Invercargill surveyor John Turnbull Thomson, marking a deep connection to Southland’s history.
Lou Sanson, the former Director General for the Department of Conservation, now lends his extensive experience in environmental governance and tourism, particularly in land management for Rakiura Māori Land Trust. Jane Stanton, an accomplished entrepreneur, serves as the founder of the Seriously Good Chocolate Company and Southern Pioneer Food Hub, while also overseeing operations at the Bluff Distillery.
Dougal Austin, with affiliations to Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu, and Waitaha, serves as Senior Curator Matauranga Māori at Te Papa and is a Trustee of Ngāi Tahu Māori Rock Art Trust. Teina Herzer, the Executive Director of the National Digital Forum, brings a wealth of digital engagement experience from her tenure at various cultural institutions.
Rev Evelyn Cook, representing mana whenua for the Invercargill City Council since 2021, is a multifaceted leader within the community, holding positions such as an executive member of the Waihōpai Rūnaka and Kā Rūnaka representative at Emergency Management Southland. Katie McRae, an accomplished practitioner in the field of medical imaging and a board member of Active Southland and Heart Kids New Zealand, rounds out this esteemed group. Her legal background includes prior work in commercial law at AWS Legal.
Council Chief Executive Michael Day expressed enthusiasm for the appointment of these new board members, heralding a shift towards a skills-based, independent board structure. The restructured board aspires to enhance community access to the museum’s extensive collection, ensuring that Southlanders have increased opportunities to engage with their shared heritage and stories.
It is worth noting that the newly appointed independent Board will not oversee Project 1225, the museum’s reconstruction, which falls under the purview of the Council. However, the Board will play a role in the project by facilitating the loan of collection items. One of their primary responsibilities will be ensuring the secure transfer of the collection to its new location in Tisbury while also advancing digital access initiatives.
The board members officially commenced their roles on August 21st, marked by a traditional pōwhiri at Te Rau Aroha Marae, followed by an informative tour of the current museum and an overview of the collection in preparation for its relocation to the new storage facility in Tisbury. Rev Cook was appointed as the interim Chair, with a decision on a permanent Chair expected to be made at a later date.
In upcoming meetings, the board will further delve into their duties, aiming to leverage their collective expertise for the benefit of the Southland Museum and Art Gallery collection and its accessibility to the community.