fbpx

President’s Column: August 2014

President’s Column: August 2014

Tēnā koutou katoa

To those who have renewed your membership we extend our thanks. Your support is valued and much appreciated.  We are glad to say that our membership numbers continue to grow.  To those who have newly joined we extend a warm welcome and look forward to seeing you at Te Papa enjoying your membership opportunities.

The AGM in early July was a good opportunity both to look back at a very successful and busy year with an impressive number of well-attended events aligned with Te Papa exhibitions, and to demonstrate the Friends’ practical support with a funding contribution to the latest important publication from Te Papa Press, Holding on to Home, an illustrated social history of New Zealanders and the First World War.

Members attending were also able to get a reassuring briefing from the Museum’s Chief Operating Officer, David Robinson, about the institution’s financial position. Contrary to alarmist media comments Te Papa has substantial reserves and had been granted an additional funding to cover the cost of some major maintenance work required. Two major exhibitions last year were down on projections but, while Te Papa management will take this into account in their planning, members can nonetheless look forward to an exciting programme in the year ahead.

Highlights will be the Ngāti Toa exhibition (just opened), the spring season of Ngā Toi | Arts Te Papa; the Tyrannosaurs exhibition; a show to mark Air New Zealand’s 75th anniversary and the major Gallipoli/Western Front exhibition to be opened in April next year. Our plan is to build an exciting and varied programme of events for Friends around these and other attractions.

Ngā mihi,

Gordon Shroff
President