Iwi 'deliver' new director of MTG

Laura Vodanovich.

MTG Hawke's Bay's new director, Laura Vodanovich is set to be "handed over" into her new role at an official ceremony next Monday morning.

She will arrive at the MTG's steps accompanied by Gisborne iwi, and will be welcomed by Hawke's Bay iwi.

Ms Vodanovich is taking up the role previously held by Douglas Lloyd Jenkins who stepped down at the end of last year.

With 18 years experience in the museum industry, she has spent the past two years at the Tairawhiti Museum in Gisborne.

"She will be delivered by her people there and received by us," MTG deputy director of marketing Rachel Dossor said.

A powhiri will be staged with traditional speeches and song which will be attended by council representatives, members of the Hawke's Bay Museum Trust and groups associated with the museum.

The ceremony is expected to begin around 8am and as is traditional, her group of people "delivering" her to Hawke's Bay will be seated on one side and those "receiving" her on the other.

It will be staged on the outdoor area in front of the main entrance, although there was a contingency plan in place to host it in the large foyer if rain were to threaten.

After refreshments Ms Dossor said it would then be "down to business" and the new director would assume her new role and "off to work".

Ms Vodanovich has visited several times since being appointed to sort out finding a house and organising schooling for a son who starts his first term in the Bay on the same day.

She would be moving this weekend and Ms Dossor said she expected her to "pop in" and meet staff informally on Sunday.

Ms Vodanovich holds an MA in anthropology (hons) from Auckland University, a post-graduate diploma in museum studies from Massey University, and a diploma in law and collection management from Melbourne University.

Napier City Council chief executive Wayne Jack said the role had attracted a number of quality candidates and Ms Vodanovich had "a great range of skills and enthusiasm".