Leading Australian to head public programmes

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Museum appoints leading Australian to head public programmes

Auckland Museum has appointed a leading museum practitioner to the role of Head of Public Programmes.

The role, which oversees the Museum's core activities of exhibitions, education, interpretation and sales and marketing, has been filled by Australian, James Dexter.

Mr Dexter previously held the position of assistant director, Museum of Victoria, and was acting director of the new $300 million Melbourne Museum until joining the Victorian Tapestry Workshop in March of this year.

Director of Auckland Museum, Dr Rodney Wilson, said Mr Dexter brings with him notable achievements in museum development and indigenous relationships.

"James comes with a distinguished record of gallery and museum management in Australia and a very fine reputation amongst his colleagues. He has been noteworthy for his proactive policies of employing Victoria's indigenous Koori people at the Melbourne Museum, and successful in balancing a Museum's commercial and public good responsibilities."

Mr Dexter will be supported on his arrival by a delegation from Victoria's indigenous people, the Koori, and elders from Te Manawa Museum in Palmerston North. Receiving him will be the Museum's Taumata-a-Iwi - Maori Advisory Committee - who represent Auckland's tangata whenua, Ngati Whatua o Orakei, supported by Tainui and Ngati Paoa.

Mr Dexter takes up his appointment and will be welcomed on 22 August 2003 at 3.30pm.

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