MP for Kelston Carmel Sepuloni is Minister for Social Development and for Disability Issues, and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage and for Pacific Peoples. She is of Samoan, Tongan and NZ European decent. She was born and raised in Waitara but has lived in Auckland since 1996. Outside of politics Carmel has worked broadly across the health and education sectors.
As Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Hon Sepuloni is responsible for Creative New Zealand, the Symphony Orchestra, the Film Commission, the Music Commission, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and Te Matatini. 
She has a particular interest in access and participation for all New Zealanders and extending the reach of the sector to diverse and under-served communities. As part of her delegation for developing a Pacific focus in the Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio, she attended the opening of the Oceania exhibition at the Royal Academy in London last year. At the time she spoke of culture’s ability to reflect our inextricable connection and responsibilities to one another across the globe. (photo: David Langley)

An experienced teacher and PLD facilitator, Monika is the Education Manager for the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Her team is responsible for delivering education programmes to school aged students as well as an increasing number of professionals both through face to face sessions and online

Tara is Project Director Raranga Matihiko | Weaving Digital Futures at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. As part of the Ministry of Education DT4ALL Equity fund, the Raranga Matihiko programme delivers innovative digital technologies to those with limited digital learning opportunities, while increasing access to national and local exhibitions and collections

Claire Lanyon began her career in education as a teacher specialising in history.  At Auckland Museum she is responsible for leading the team that design, develop and deliver learning experiences onsite, online and beyond the museum's walls. She has a pas...

Esther Helen McNaughton is a long time gallery educator at Suter Art Gallery te Aratoi o Whakatu, Nelson. She is also a PhD Candidate at the University of Canterbury. Her area of interest is the field of art gallery education for schools, in particular in Aotearoa New Zealand.    

Eloise Wallace is Director at Tairāwhiti Museum in Gisborne.  Eloise has an academic background in in history, museum studies, arts management and tourism and has worked in the museum sector for 15 years.  Before taking up the Directorship at Tairāwhiti Museum in January 2015, she was Public Programmes Team Leader at MTG Hawke's Bay in Napier and prior to that worked for Imperial War Museums, London.

Te Awhina Rangimarie Arahanga is a Museum Consultant specialising in design with Pearson & Associates, and Curator Kaikoura Museum

Liz Cotton is Head of Human History at Auckland Museum, providing leadership to the research, collection development, collection management and access activities of a professional team of curators and collection managers. Previous roles include senior adviser on movable cultural heritage policy, and museum registration & collection management. Liz has an MA (Hons) in Ancient History, and a Postgraduate Diploma (Distinction) in Museum Studies and her research interests lie in curatorial practice and museum sector development.

Dr Bronwyn Labrum is Head of NZ and Pacific Culture at Te Papa, where she leads the history and Pacific curatorial teams. She is the author of  Real Modern: Everyday New Zealand in the 1950s and 1960s and is editing a collection for Suffrage 125 in Te Papa Press’s new ‘Thinking About’ series, in which writers use collection objects to explore contemporary urgent issues. She is also an Honorary Research Fellow at Massey University.

Born and raised in Sydney, Robert began his working life as a contract Archaeologist, having completed a double Honours degree in Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology at the University of Sydney. It was through a watching brief for the Ultimo Powerhouse site that Robert was appointed Assistant Curator of Industry for the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences. So began a career in Museums. Robert’s interests in Industrial History led him to the Ironbridge Institute in Shropshire, England where he completed a Masters in Industrial Archaeology and Heritage Management. From there he has held positions at the Black Country Open Air Museum in the Midlands, the Manchester Museum and the Swiss National Museum in Zurich before returning to Australia to take up the position of Head of Collections at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide. Robert has been Director, Collections, Research and Education at the Otago Museum since 2014.

Sarah has worked at Canterbury Museum for over a decade and leads a fantastic team of natural and human history curatorial staff as well as a diverse group of research fellows. She maintains an active research portfolio in the social history of the early twentieth century and is also an Adjunct Fellow in the History Department at the University of Canterbury.

Liz Cotton is Head of Human History at Auckland Museum, providing leadership to the research, collection development, collection management and access activities of a professional team of curators and collection managers. Previous roles include senior adviser on movable cultural heritage policy, and museum registration & collection management. Liz has an MA (Hons) in Ancient History, and a Postgraduate Diploma (Distinction) in Museum Studies and her research interests lie in curatorial practice and museum sector development.

Dr Bronwyn Labrum is Head of NZ and Pacific Culture at Te Papa, where she leads the history and Pacific curatorial teams. She is the author of  Real Modern: Everyday New Zealand in the 1950s and 1960s and is editing a collection for Suffrage 125 in Te Papa Press’s new ‘Thinking About’ series, in which writers use collection objects to explore contemporary urgent issues. She is also an Honorary Research Fellow at Massey University.

Born and raised in Sydney, Robert began his working life as a contract Archaeologist, having completed a double Honours degree in Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology at the University of Sydney. It was through a watching brief for the Ultimo Powerhouse site that Robert was appointed Assistant Curator of Industry for the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences. So began a career in Museums. Robert’s interests in Industrial History led him to the Ironbridge Institute in Shropshire, England where he completed a Masters in Industrial Archaeology and Heritage Management. From there he has held positions at the Black Country Open Air Museum in the Midlands, the Manchester Museum and the Swiss National Museum in Zurich before returning to Australia to take up the position of Head of Collections at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide. Robert has been Director, Collections, Research and Education at the Otago Museum since 2014.

Sarah has worked at Canterbury Museum for over a decade and leads a fantastic team of natural and human history curatorial staff as well as a diverse group of research fellows. She maintains an active research portfolio in the social history of the early twentieth century and is also an Adjunct Fellow in the History Department at the University of Canterbury.

Tom started out as an educator 10 years ago. In 2015 He pursued a postgraduate qualification in marine biology where his passion for our native taonga and science communication took stead. Tom has been a Learning Specialist for two years. Programmes under his portfolio include Volcanoes, Genomics, CSI: Citizen Science Investigations, NZ Speciation and Kete Wānanga:Moana.

Juliet Cooke has over 25 years of experience in exhibition design, management and installation. She is passionate about developing exhibitions that fully engage the visitor. For the past 5 years she has been developing activity-exhibits that provide a social and kinesthetic learning experience for the museum visitor. 

As Kaitiaki Mātauranga Māori and Subject Librarian for Te Tumu, School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies at the University of Otago, Jacinta (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou) works in support of Māori success across the university environment. She is also the Council Representative for Te Waka ā Māui (South Island) for Te Rōpū Whakahau, national body for Māori in Libraries, Culture, Knowledge, Information, Communication and Systems Technology in Aotearoa.

Rachael has been a digital editor at Te Papa for just over three years. As well as managing the day-to-day running of Te Papa’s websites, her experience is in creating impactful online content that reaches people beyond the physical walls of the museum – from activity books to videos, blogs to quizzes.

Previously Tourism Advisor China at Te Papa (July 2015 – October 2018), Diwen was responsible for the development of Te Papa’s tourism programme in the Greater China market, while advising on Te Papa’s diplomatic approaches with Chinese counterparts. She is a core contributor to the successful negotiation of the Terracotta Warrior Exhibition. For the last ten years, Diwen worked across tourism industry, museums sector and in international development. This enabled her to develop a unique skill set, combining political sensitivity, cultural intelligence and commercial acumen. Diwen recently joined Department of Conservation (DOC) as Strategy and Investment Advisor, working on DOC's long term Heritage and Visitor Strategy.

Cameron is employed at Aotea Utanganui Museum of South Taranaki in the position of Kaitiaki Pukapuka-a-Rohe/District Archivist & Supervisor.  This position involves leading the people, projects, community outreach, and heritage collections of a regional cultural institution.  Our kaupapa is to preserve, create, and disseminate cultural experiences to our physical and digital communities.  We achieve this through a vision of creativity, collaboration, innovation and flexibility.  In 2013 he was the first New Zealander selected to attend the prestigious L. Jeffrey Selznick School of Film Preservation at George Eastman House International Photography & Film Museum in Rochester, New York State.  In 2018 Cameron embarked on an MBA through Massey University to strengthen his leadership & management skills. His aspirations are to continue to empower people to create, disseminate, and collaborate within the GLAM sector, while championing diversity, inclusion, and advocacy.   

Stephanie researches the material and visual culture of protest, conflict and reform, as well as everyday life in Aotearoa New Zealand. Her continuing museological research focuses on museums and community participation.

Nici Cumpston is of Afghan, English, Irish and Barkindji Aboriginal heritage and is a descendant of the Darling River people of north western, New South Wales. She is simultaneously an artist, a curator, a writer, an educator and a builder of relationships.

Jaimie Isaac is a curator and interdisciplinary artist operating from a mixed heritage of Indigenous/Anishnaabe and European background. Jaimie works inside and outside institutional systems to create space for underrepresented groups to challenge the canon and expand contemporary and art historical narratives. Her interests in social engagement are present within her exhibitions. Isaac’s thesis research focus was about Decolonizing Curatorial Practice.

Borell (Pirirakau, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Te Whakatōhea) is Curator Māori Art, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki where his research in both customary and contemporary Māori art is produced for publication and exhibition making. He lectures part-time at The University of Auckland specializing in Māori visual arts and culture in both customary and contemporary fields. Recent curatorial projects include: co-curating with Zara Stanhope The Moa Hunters by Areta Wilkinson, for 9th Asia Pacific Triennial, QAGOMA, Brisbane (2018) and The Māori Portraits: Gottfried Lindauer’s New Zealand, at the Auckland Art Gallery (2016) and to de Young Fine Arts Museum, San Francisco (2017). Borell was Associate Curator Māori at The Auckland War Memorial Museum (2013-2015), Kaiwhakahaere Toi o Manukau- Māori Arts Manager for Auckland Council –South (2009-2013). He is the current Chair of Te Ātinga –the National Māori Visual Arts committee of Toi Māori Aotearoa and was a member of the 2019 advisory panel for the New Zealand Venice Biennale project 2019 presented by Creative New Zealand. Borell has a Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts (Hons) from Massey University (2000) and a Master of Fine Arts (Hons) The University of Auckland (2002).

Nigel is one of the keynote speakers at the EMP Huakina

Stephanie researches the material and visual culture of protest, conflict and reform, as well as everyday life in Aotearoa New Zealand. Her continuing museological research focuses on museums and community participation.

Sarah McClintock is the Curator and Collection Manager at The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū. She has a M.A. in Art History from Victoria University, Wellington and one of her primary curatorial interests is the ways in which historical and social issues are understood through contemporary art.

In her time at Waitangi Treaty Grounds Caitlin has been the curator, collections coordinator, registrar, preparator, loans officer, public programmes coordinator and occasional tour guide. Her current position is Collections and Public Programmes Coordinator. Caitlin has a background in anthropology, clothing and textile sciences and museum studies, which is now complemented by an in-depth knowledge of New Zealand history.

Liz Cotton is Head of Human History at Auckland Museum, providing leadership to the research, collection development, collection management and access activities of a professional team of curators and collection managers. Previous roles include senior adviser on movable cultural heritage policy, and museum registration & collection management. Liz has an MA (Hons) in Ancient History, and a Postgraduate Diploma (Distinction) in Museum Studies and her research interests lie in curatorial practice and museum sector development.

Dr Bronwyn Labrum is Head of NZ and Pacific Culture at Te Papa, where she leads the history and Pacific curatorial teams. She is the author of  Real Modern: Everyday New Zealand in the 1950s and 1960s and is editing a collection for Suffrage 125 in Te Papa Press’s new ‘Thinking About’ series, in which writers use collection objects to explore contemporary urgent issues. She is also an Honorary Research Fellow at Massey University.

Born and raised in Sydney, Robert began his working life as a contract Archaeologist, having completed a double Honours degree in Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology at the University of Sydney. It was through a watching brief for the Ultimo Powerhouse site that Robert was appointed Assistant Curator of Industry for the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences. So began a career in Museums. Robert’s interests in Industrial History led him to the Ironbridge Institute in Shropshire, England where he completed a Masters in Industrial Archaeology and Heritage Management. From there he has held positions at the Black Country Open Air Museum in the Midlands, the Manchester Museum and the Swiss National Museum in Zurich before returning to Australia to take up the position of Head of Collections at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide. Robert has been Director, Collections, Research and Education at the Otago Museum since 2014.

Sarah has worked at Canterbury Museum for over a decade and leads a fantastic team of natural and human history curatorial staff as well as a diverse group of research fellows. She maintains an active research portfolio in the social history of the early twentieth century and is also an Adjunct Fellow in the History Department at the University of Canterbury.

Samuele's research topic is focused on the organisational aspects of museum practice – specifically on the role of partnerships management and collaborative strategies – and on the evaluation of their impact on museum governance, community engagement, collection management, culture-led development, and financial sustainability. He is also a gallery supervisor at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery and occasionally works as a research assistant at Te Papa.

Cherie has a varied professional background which includes public policy, writing and producing theatre, venue and event management, and research and writing about architectural and women’s history. She recently finished as an adviser with the WW100 Programme Office, and is returning to Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage to work on the government's wider commemoration programme and Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.

Lara graduated with her Masters of Museum and Heritage Practices in 2018. Her interests have drawn her to the field of interpretation where she has worked on several exhibits including a Visitors' Centre for the Sisters of Compassion in Island Bay and the exhibit Are We There Yet? Women and Equality in Aotearoa at the Auckland Museum. She is currently working for the Wellington City Council where part of her role is to develop interpretive policies for the City Design and Place Planning Team. She believes great interpretation uses all our senses and is essential to enhancing experiences.

Ashley is a Masters of Museum and Heritage Practice student, currently completing her collections and curatorial internship at the New Zealand Police Museum while working as a Visitor Host at Wellington Museum. She has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in History from the University of Otago, where she focused on New Zealand social history. She has previously completed a placement with the History and Pacific Cultures team at Te Papa assisting with their Suffrage125 projects, and was a part of a team of students who created Good Bye to All That: Armistice 1918 an exhibition for the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, held at the Alexander Turnbull Library.

Dr Lee Davidson has been teaching on the Museum and Heritage Studies programme and its predecessor, Recreation and Leisure Studies, since 1998. Her current research and teaching includes visitor studies; international exhibitions and intercultural museum practice; natural heritage and heritage tourism. She led the development of the annual National Museum Visitor Survey for Museums Aotearoa. Recent publications include Cosmopolitan Ambassadors: International exhibitions, cultural diplomacy and the polycentral museum (with Leticia Perez, Vernon Press, 2019), Scenic Playground: The story behind New Zealand’s mountain tourism (with Peter Alsop and Dave Bamford, Te Papa Press, 2018) and ‘“Lies, damn lies and statistics”: a history of museum visits in Australasia’ (with Conal McCarthy, Cultural Trends 28:1, 36-55). 

Robyn has more than 25 years’ experience working as a consultant researcher, strategist, facilitator and educator. She is a Teaching Fellow with the Museum and Heritage Studies programme at Victoria University and Director of Lumin (www.lumin.co.nz) working with a team of people in the arts, education and recreation sectors. She has been engaged in visitor research, Although Robyn’s career has spanned the breadth of the cultural sector, she is also recognised as conducting some museum visitor research, strategic planning and feasibility studies in the museum and heritage sector.