Our diverse Museum board

ON BOARD WITH A DIVERSE MUSEUM

For the first time since its establishment in 1987, the Navy Museum Board of Trustees is comprised of more women than men and also for the first time has a woman as Chair.

The Navy Museum’s board is made up of eight members, five of whom are women. Sally Manuireva, the general manager museum experience at the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland, joined the Navy Museum board in 2017, becoming chair two years later. She says she had set herself a challenge to get more diverse perspectives around the board table, which includes former North Shore Deputy Mayor and Local Board Member Dianne Hale QSO; researcher Robyn Tauroa, Whangaroa Papa Hapū; Te Pouhuaki National Librarian Rachel Esson, and Commodore Melissa Ross, Deputy Chief of Navy (now Commander Logistics). Sally is proud that the museum board is leading the way in creating opportunities for women to hold positions of influence. “The make up of our current board positively reflects the Navy’s commitment to increase the representation of women in all facets of the Navy including governance. Having fresh perspectives is essential to keep the museum moving forward, particularly at a governance level. Also having women with service experience at the table, such as Robyn, is so beneficial, as we look to grow more diverse Navy Stories in the museum.” The other board members are Rear Admiral (rtd) David Ledson ONZM (Deputy Chair), Chief of Navy Rear Admiral David Proctor and Lieutenant Commander (Rtd) William Stevens. “I became familiar with the museum while working at the Auckland War Memorial Museum,” says Ms Manuireva. “I enjoy governance work and I feel the pull of this museum because, being a national museum, it’s a really important part of New Zealand identity. The Navy Museum punches above its weight and delivers great things.” She references the museum’s new contemporary Navy Gallery, Te Taua Moana, showcasing the current fleet and its capabilities. “What I love about the museum is that it’s a living, breathing entity. It features the Navy of today as well as the past. I love it when you see serving personnel in the Navy at the museum. I’ve always been struck by the strong, positive culture, and you get a sense of that when you are in that gallery.” Ms Manuireva is delighted with the new trend of Navy ceremonies being hosted at the museum, a legacy of avoiding gatherings on base due to COVID risk. Basic Common Trainees often attest at the museum. “It’s wonderful that new recruits experience the museum as part of their training, because it’s through them that we share stories of our Navy today.” Rachel Esson came to the Navy Museum board about a year ago. “They were looking for someone with collection experience. I’m interested in governance and it was an opportunity to keep developing in governance.” She has family involved in the Defence Force and a very good friend in the Navy. “I think the museum does an amazing job in what they do, to connect the museum to Navy and the wider community. They do amazing programmes that showcase history but also make it quite contemporary.” She says it hasn’t been an easy time for museums. “I’m full of admiration for David Wright (director) and his team, and how they responded to COVID. They focused on projects they could do behind the scenes.” CDRE Ross, in her position as Deputy Chief of Navy (December 2019 to November 2022), acts as Executive trustee. She says the museum has been fortunate to have such highcalibre board members with the skills to make the museum such a successful model.

“We want the museum to connect with our sailors, with ex-sailors and with the community. We’re guardians of past, and we want to show our new sailors our history and pride and where we’ve come from. We also want to be contemporaneous to our sailors, and show where the Navy is going.” The museum’s development of a new learning and education strategy, with the creation of a School Kit, especially resonates with her because her son came home from school talking about it. “I thought, this is great. The decisions the board has made, the work that’s been done, to connect with school children, and we get to see that being played out.” Looking to the future, Ms Manuireva is excited about the numerous opportunities for the Board to work in partnership with the Navy and museum team to successfully navigate the next decade. “The way forward is not without its challenges, but it’s great to see some positive momentum in progressing our vision. I’m looking forward to reaping the benefits of a range of opinions, skills and experience around the board table,” says Ms Manuireva.

Top: Rachel Esson, Te Pouhuaki National Librarian. Below: Clockwise from back left, Sally Manuireva, CDRE Melissa Ross, Robyn Tauroa and Dianne Hale.