Tairāwhiti Museum honours five with life membership

Tairāwhiti Museum life membership honours were bestowed on five people at a ceremony at the museum on Friday night. Four of the new life members are pictured with museum director Eloise Wallace (third left). They are, from left, Michael Muir, Nan Trueman, Romia Whaanga and Steve Gibbs. Absent, Peter Kite. Picture by Paul Rickard

The bestowing of five new Tairāwhiti Museum life memberships was supposed to be a secret but for one recipient it was more of a surprise than most.

“We were determined that Michael Muir be named a life member but because he chairs the board, as well as being a member of the Friends Of Tairāwhiti Museum committee, it was tricky to keep under our hats,” says museum director Eloise Wallace.

“Michael being MC for our presentation night made it even trickier but with a bit of skulduggery on all our parts the team managed to make it happen.”

More than 100 guests were at the museum on Friday night at a special event where life memberships were presented to Mr Muir and fellow recipients Steve Gibbs, Nan Trueman, Peter Kite and Hineromia Whaanga.

Before Mr Muir realised he was to be among their ranks he spoke of how the four had contributed across the disciplines of culture, education, history and governance.

“Between them they have helped solidify the place of Tairāwhiti Museum as one of the most respected cultural institutions in Aotearoa,” he said.

“Through their work they helped strengthen the museum for its journey into the future, and their contribution has enriched us all.”

Life members are nominated by the Friends Of Tairāwhiti Museum (FOTM) to mark contributions across art, history, education and governance, and are approved by the Gisborne Museum of Art and History Trust Board.

However, there have been no nominees since 2009 and FOTM chair Clare Robinson says there’s a good reason for that.

“We had a loosely-planned cycle of around once every decade and got talking in 2019, but then the Covid-19 pandemic struck and everyone across the community was affected for the next three years,” she says.

“So it’s wonderful to finally get everyone together to celebrate our new life members and the special contributions they have made over the years.”

At Friday’s celebration Mr Muir paid tribute to noted friends and supporters of Tairāwhiti Museum who had died in 2022 or 2023.

They were former chair Michael Chrisp (after whom the museum’s Chrisp Gallery is named); former museum committee secretary and president, and life member of Friends Of Tairāwhiti Museum, Sir Robert Hall; former curator of history and archives Sheila Robinson; former artist, teacher and Gisborne Arts Society stalwart Phyllis Underdown; and former museum secretary, curator and deputy director Monica Ratcliffe.

“Their vision, leadership and commitment guided Tairāwhiti Museum through times of big change, and ensured rigour in its day-to-day operations,” Mr Muir said.

“So for their work, too, we are most grateful.”

The five new Tairāwhiti Museum life members are —

Steve Gibbs: As associate professor/principal lecturer at the Toihoukura School of Maori Art, Steve Gibbs’ influence across education and the arts has been seen for nearly three decades at Tairāwhiti Museum, where he also offers a voice for the Ngai Tamanuhiri iwi, and where he is a member of the Gisborne Museum of Art and History Trust Board.

Nan Trueman: In the years she has volunteered at Tairāwhiti Museum, Nan Trueman is credited with being the source of close to 600 acquisitions over three decades. She brings to the team a particular interest in military history, and has added to narratives within and beyond the museum. And she has made a big contribution with work on major projects like the Hall Papers, writings by Sir Roger Hall, and the Sarah Williams letters.

Peter Kite: In the 37 years he practised as a lawyer in Gisborne, Peter Kite was the honorary solicitor for a number of charitable trusts, including that governing Tairāwhiti Museum. And through his work he guided the museum through the legal territory attached to both day-to-day operations, and major initiatives undertaken by the museum.

Hineromia Whaanga: A member of the Gisborne Museum of Art and History Trust Board for 15 years, and now deputy chair, Romia Whaanga is a strong voice for Rongowhakaata and for Maori across te Tairāwhiti, renowned by whānau, hapū and iwi — and Tairāwhiti Museum — as a diligent volunteer across a range of important community services.

Michael Muir: After joining the Gisborne Museum of Art and History Trust Board in 2006, Michael Muir was named deputy chair in 2011, two years later taking the role as chair, a position he holds to this day. In that time he has led the museum through major capital developments (including the 2014 extension) and remains a powerful advocate for the museum in the community, and with key stakeholders including Gisborne District Council.