A community appointment panel has selected the eight people as first trustees of the Tauranga Moana Museum Trust. Twelve expressions of interest were received for the roles with nine interviews undertaken to determine the final eight.
The trust is intended to plan for and deliver a community led museum, with its chairman to be appointed at the first trustee meeting.

The successful candidates for trusteeship are:

John Koning
Andrew Te Whaiti
John Coster
Jinty Rorke
Colin Bidois
Vanessa Hamm
Neil Te Kani
Kelly Barclay

These people are charged with establishing and fostering community support for a museum, developing a museum concept and preparing a business plan, raising capital to develop the site and build the museum, engaging in fundraising to meet annual ongoing operational expenditure and administration and operation of the museum.

Following are supplied profiles of each trustee.


John Koning

John has a long standing interest in Tauranga Moana history. He was previously a historian with the Crown Forestry Rental Trust and commissioned reports for Stage 1 of the Regional Moana Inquiry of the Waitangi Tribunal.
He has a broad legal background with particular knowledge of Trust law and is a partner with Jackson Reeves Lawyers.
He has links to Nga Potiki through his wife, and has wide networks in the Maori community.
John is currently undertaking further university study and intending to complete a Masters thesis in history.


Andrew Te Whaiti

Andrew has an extensive background in tourism and was chief executive of Te Puia in Rotorua. He has a range of connections in the tourism industry and is currently a board member of Tourism Bay of Plenty.
Due to his previous experience he has skills in operating visitor attractions and understands the particular needs and approaches in respect of establishing and operating them. Authenticity is a key ingredient.
He has a good understanding of governance and management responsibilities, and whilst not having a financial background, has had extensive experience in operating multi million dollar entities and delivering large projects.


John Coster

John was previously manager of the Museum Development and has considerable experience and background in museum planning and cultural heritage management.
He currently works as heritage consultant and has also written extensively on a range of heritage topics.
John has previously been a trustee of the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
He has a good understanding and awareness of Tauranga Moana history, awareness of museum environments and the need to develop and maintain community support for the museum initiative.


Jinty Rorke

Jinty has an in depth knowledge of Tauranga Moana history. She has also written various publications in respect of local history.
Jinty would bring some all round experience and skills to the Trust given her previous work experience, involvement with the Elms Trust and an ability to work in a collaborative manner.


Colin Bidois

Colin was a member of the previous Museum Steering Group and has had a range of governance experience in respect of local government and health.
He is currently lead negotiator for the Pirirakan hapu in respect of raupatu claims.
He has Ngati Ranginui affiliations and chaired the Iwi Society for six years.
He has considerable interest in seeing a museum established and together with his iwi linkages and previous involvement on the Steering Group, would provide for some of the key skills and attributes required.


Vanessa Hamm

Vanessa is partner at Holland Beckett and has a keen interest in seeing a museum established in Tauranga.
She has an interest in development of a fundraising strategy for the project and understands the need for effective and sustained community engagement.
Vanessa will be able to work collaboratively and contribute in a strategic manner around the governance table.
Common sense and an understanding of how a museum contributes to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of Tauranga Moana would be part of Vanessa's contribution together with her legal background.


Neil Te Kani

Neil has affiliations to the three Tauranga Moana Iwi. He has a business background with a range of governance experience and undertakes extensive trustee roles. He also has financial skills.
Neil recognises the need for tangata whenua to have a stake in the museum through governance and funding arrangements, and creating an environment for tangata whenua to contribute.
His interest in becoming a trustee was formally supported by Ngai Te Rangi Iwi and Ngati Ranginui Iwi Society Trust.


Kelly Barclay

Kelly has a business and education background and has considerable interest in the history of the area.
He would bring an ability to develop and maintain relationships particularly in respect of community engagement and maintaining key community support. Ongoing community support and engagement was noted as an important success factor.
He is currently a company director of a business with a turnover of around $1 million with several million dollars in assets.
His business and education background together with the need to work collaboratively would be particular strengths he would bring to the trust.