PRESIDENT'S LETTER

Dear Members & Supporters,

Thank you so much for your support of the Society and Brain Watkins House Museum as we walk backwards into the future with our eyes fixed on the past | kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua. This whakataukī or ‘proverb’ speaks to Māori perspectives of time, where the past, the present and the future are viewed as intertwined, and the past is central to and shapes both present and future identity.

In February Cyclone Gabrielle lashed much of the country and earthquakes have followed - we send our aroha to those badly affected This has led me to reflect on the storms that the Brain family weathered at Brain Watkins House during their 98-year residency. One that does tickle my fancy, but would have been incredibly frightening, was the violent eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886 During this time, the Brain family's terrified horse was brought inside the hallway of the house for it's own safety.

This is just one of the many stories that make our house museum a unique and treasured taonga for which we are merely acting as kaitiaki - carers, guardians, protectors and conservers We hope you enjoy this new format newsletter from your committee.

- Debbie McCauley