New role for Rotorua Museum director

ROTORUA 22.06.12: After fifteen years heading Rotorua’s award-winning cultural facility, Rotorua Museum director Greg McManus is moving on to a new role based in the Bay of Islands.

He takes up his new position as chief executive of the Waitangi National Trust in August.

Rotorua District Council (RDC) chief executive Peter Guerin said the council was sad to be losing Mr McManus’s services as he had taken the lead in developing the city’s community cultural facility into an outstanding world class regional museum.

“However I’m also personally delighted for Greg. I’m really pleased that his experience, reputation and achievements with us here have positioned him well to take on an exciting new challenge elsewhere.”

RDC Economic & Regulatory Services group manager Mark Rawson said Mr McManus would leave the council with the organisation’s appreciation for accomplishing many successful projects, for substantially growing the museum business, and for taking the complex to national and international recognition.

“When we look back to when Greg took over the reins in 1997 we see that he has carefully and skilfully guided this important museum, education facility, gallery, visitor attraction and repository of Te Arawa taonga along a very impressive yet sensitive development path, to become the much admired museum it is today. The recent Centennial Project and new Don Stafford Wing are great examples of his achievements and testament to his passion and commitment.”

“Greg will leave us in August with our very best wishes for continued success in his career ahead.”

Mr Rawson said that the council would shortly begin a process to recruit a new director for the museum and he expected the vacancy to attract interest from around New Zealand and overseas.

Mr McManus said he would be leaving Rotorua Museum and Rotorua District Council with very mixed feelings.

"It has been an absolute privilege working here and the opportunity to develop the museum into a world class facility has been a once-in-a-career opportunity. Rotorua has been very good to my family and we will never forget that, but it is time for a new challenge and I am very excited about what lies ahead for us in the Bay of Islands.”

ENDS

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