Tēnā koutou,

Ngā mihi

As your committee begins a new term of office it is timely to thank you, our members, for your enthusiastic support of Te Papa and the Friends. At the recent Friends AGM, Te Papa CEO Rick Ellis told us about the extensive programme of renewal that the museum is embarking on over the next three years. It will be very exciting to see the changes unfold, but also a huge challenge as the museum is to remain open during this time.

The key objective of the Friends is to support and promote Te Papa, which we mainly do through designing our events around the museum’s programmes and working with the curators and collection managers. A highlight of this support is of course our annual gifting to Te Papa.

Last month you learnt about the Friends’ offer to help with the restoration of the beautiful French wallpaper panels, Les Sauvages de la Mer Pacifique, which is the focus of our special fundraising evening on Friday 29 July. Last year our gala event to raise funds for the Friends’ gift of the Pablo Picasso ceramic jug, Picador, was held at the Australian High Commission. This year Scots College is kindly allowing us to use their stunning Athfield Architects’ designed Creative and Performing Arts Centre, which houses significant art works from the collection of former Te Papa Board member Aloysius Teh and his wife Eileen.

To add to the fun of this evening, your committee is organising a silent auction with all sorts of wonderful things to win. Scots College, at 1 Monorgan Road off Broadway in Strathmore Park, is very easy to find and there is plenty of parking at the door.

We look forward to seeing you on 29 July.

Noho ora mai

Nāku noa, nā

Elizabeth Kay