Auckland Museum's new chief executive brings fresh perspective to important role

Friday, 25 August 2023

David Reeves’ appointment as the new tumu whakarae chief executive of Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum was announced this week.

A strong believer in working proactively and collaboratively, and with a focus on strengthening the museum’s bicultural approach to its work, Reeves said he was excited to take up the new role at a pivotal time for the city and its communities.

'Museums have a vital role to play in helping people examine, enjoy and understand their cultural and natural contexts,” Reeves said.

“Auckland War Memorial Museum is a very special place with a rich history and extraordinary collections; it will be a great pleasure to lead our talented team over the next few years, realising more of the potential that the museum has to offer.'

Reeves is from Aokautere, a small Manawatū settlement, and has been the interim chief executive for the museum since June. Prior to this he was the museum’s director of collections and research.

With a career spanning more than 35 years, his experience across Aotearoa’s cultural sector includes senior roles at the Alexander Turnbull Library, Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Art Gallery and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

His contributions to the community are far-ranging and include his roles as deputy chair of Unesco Memory of the World NZ committee, and Museums Aotearoa board member, along with his involvement in in organisations that support the LGBTQA+ community, serving as a trustee for the Rule Foundation and the Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand, and as a past co-chair of the Auckland-based rainbow choir GALS.

“It is a privilege to appoint such a talented and innovative employee to lead the museum as we develop our next strategic plan, which will take us to 2029 – the centenary of our time on this sacred site and war memorial on Pukekawa,” Auckland Museum Trust Board chairman Professor Richard Bedford said.

“The board’s vision is to ensure that Tāmaki Paenga Hira continues its journey to becoming a bicultural museum, supporting an inclusive society of engaged and informed communities in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa and the Pacific.

“We are confident that David Reeves has the experience, passion and commitment to deliver this ambitious goal.'

Taumata-a-Iwi chairwoman Precious Clark said she was excited to support Reeves in his leadership of Tāmaki Paenga Hira.

'The Taumata-ā-Iwi has built a high trust relationship with David over the years, and values his support and advocacy of kaupapa Māori, taonga Māori and our Māori staff at the museum,” she said.

“We look forward to collaborating with David to shift Tāmaki Paenga Hira into being a bicultural organisation of the future.

'We are confident that his institutional knowledge, empathy, commitment and intelligence will provide us with the right leadership to achieve our strategic vision.'