Whanganui Regional Museum leadership role a timely homecoming for Bronwyn Labrum

New Whanganui Regional Museum director Bronwyn Labrum is loving her work and a welcome return to her home town. Photo / Bevan Conley

Although she can ride her bicycle to work, Whanganui Regional Museum's new director Bronwyn Labrum said the city is "buzzing".

"It's busy but still easy to get around which is really nice," Labrum said.

"I have always loved this museum and although I never imagined I would be the director one day, it feels so right to be here now."

The new appointment was a return to the birthplace she left in the mid-1980s and Labrum was delighted to find it so vibrant, she said.

"There are some great cafes and lots of things on every weekend," she said.

"It has always been a very arts-focused place and that seems to have grown along with the population."

In the years she has been away Labrum has gained extensive experience in museums around New Zealand along with substantial qualifications. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees in history from Massey University and received her PhD from Victoria University of Wellington in 2000.

Previously a senior manager at Te Papa, and then recruited to lead special projects at Canterbury Museum, Labrum has extensive experience across New Zealand's heritage and cultural sectors.

Whanganui Regional Museum's new director welcomes ideas for attracting visitors to enter. Photo / Bevan Conley

The Whanganui Regional Museum was looking fantastic, she said.

"The earthquake strengthening and renovations have been beautifully done and the integrity of the building has been retained.

"I really like that so many of the original features are still evident."

She recalled her school visits to the museum with fondness and believed the collection was one of the best in New Zealand.

Another cause for celebration was the talented team of staff she inherited from her predecessor Frank Stark.

"They are like a well-oiled machine and I am in the happy position of being able to focus on the exhibition programme and topical, temporary things we can do.

"I love the Dressed to Thrill exhibition and the museum has a really great clothing collection so I'm thinking about temporary displays that can be set up to mark special events such as International Women's Day."

Labrum said the Samuel Drew Gallery, which currently houses the popular Teeth, Talons and Taxidermy exhibition, had been a great addition that allowed parts of the collection to brought out and displayed.

"An important part of a museum's work is to collect contemporary exhibits for the future," she said.

"Right now we have the Covid pandemic and there have been significant recent events like the Christchurch mosque shootings - things that will be important for people to understand in the future."

Labrum said Whanganui had given her a very warm welcome home and she would like to hear ideas from the community about how the museum entrance could be made more enticing.

"It is an imposing entrance and I would like to hear people's ideas about ways we can draw people towards it when they are walking by."

The Whanganui Regional Museum is open daily from 10am until 4.30pm.