Key People

Executive Management Team

Roy Clare

Roy Clare – Director
Roy Clare took up his appointment as Director of Auckland War Memorial Museum in August 2011. He came to NZ from the UK where he was Chief Executive of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) from 2007. The MLA’s responsibilities included the accreditation of museums, the designation of outstanding collections and the administration of a range of schemes to develop the strength and reputation of collections, and encourage their accessibility to people. From 2000 till 2007, Roy was Director of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, where he expanded resourcing for scholarship, schools and informal learning and he and his team initiated a number of highly successful exhibitions, fundraising campaigns and redevelopment projects. Formerly an admiral in the Royal Navy, Roy Clare was awarded the CBE in June 2007 for his services to museums. A keen yachtsman, he competed in the first Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race in 1974.  For more information about Roy Clare, click here »

Russell Briggs – Director War Memorial and Cenotaph Russell Briggs – Director War Memorial and Cenotaph
Russell Briggs has a 20-year background working in creative direction, engagement strategy, new media and production. Russell has worked with many Global 100 companies and non-profit institutions around the world to create user engagement and great experiences. A native of California, Russell immigrated to New Zealand in 2002 and had been a citizen since 2006. He received his BA in Film/Television from the University of California.
Les Fleming – Director Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer Les Fleming – Director Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer
Les Fleming is a Chartered Accountant with more than 30 years experience in the financial, manufacturing and operations sector. Originally from the South Island, Les received his Bachelor of Commerce from Otago University, and has worked for a number of New Zealand’s major companies. He has international experience in finance and operations, and joined Auckland Museum in 2005.
Kae Kinnell – Director Commercial Kae Kinnell – Director Commercial
Since coming to the Museum in 2003 as Volunteer Coordinator, Kae Kinnell has been responsible for much of the Museum’s focus on improving the visitor experience, especially in her role as Visitor Services Manager (2004-2008). She became acting Head of Commercial in 2008 and was appointed to her current role in 2010, responsible for the Museum’s portfolio of commercial activity (such as functions, commercial events, retail, tourism activity, the cafe and car park) and Volunteers. She received a BA in Organisational Studies from Auckland University in 2000, and her previous work experience included working in the dealing room of Fletcher Challenge Corporate (1990-1992).
Megan McSweeney – Director Marketing and Communications Megan McSweeney – Director Marketing and Communications
With an extensive background in marketing & communications, Megan has held senior executive positions in a number of New Zealand’s major companies including SkyCity Entertainment Group and NZ Bus (Infratil). Having worked across a diverse range of customer facing industries including education, tourism, utilities, entertainment and logistics Megan brings to Auckland Museum expertise in marketing, brand, customer experience and communications. Megan has a BA from Auckland University and a post graduate diploma in business from Auckland University’s Business School. Megan McSweeney joined Auckland Museum in 2011.
Sally Manuireva – Public Programmes and Capital Projects Sally Manuireva – Public Programmes and Capital Projects
Sally Manuireva joined Auckland War Memorial Museum in September 2011 from the UK. In her role, Sally leads the creation and delivery of a long-term masterplan for the development of all aspects of the Museum. Prior to her arrival in New Zealand, Sally was Director of Public Programmes at National Museums Scotland, where she led the transformation of the public offer across all the museums in the group, as well as being part of a senior team responsible for the renovation of the National Museum of Scotland. Sally has worked in the museums and art galleries for 15 years and has a Bachelor degree in history of art and a Master degree in Museum Studies. With a Tahitian husband, Sally has family in French Polynesia as well as back in England.
Karen Mason – ICT and Digital Media Karen Mason – ICT and Digital Media
Karen Mason has an extensive background in museum education, exhibition development, web communications and new media production. With honours in printmaking from the Ilam School of Fine Arts, University of Canterbury, her former positions include Educator, Exhibition Concept Developer and Creative Director at Te Papa Tongarewa. From there she moved into the ICT industry where she has worked for the past 11 years. Karen joined Auckland Museum in 2008.
Rose Powell – Director Human Resources Rose Powell – Director Human Resources
Rose Powell has a diverse background working in strategic and operational Human Resources, internal and external communications, finance and brokerage accounting. After 10 years in Australia, Rose returned to New Zealand in 1991. Her career spans the tertiary education, print manufacturing, media, banking and wine industries. Rose joined the Museum in January 2011 and is currently completing an MBA and MBus at AUT University.
David Reeves – Director Collections and Research David Reeves – Director Collections and Research
David Reeves joined the Museum in January 2011 after a time at the Alexander Turnbull Library as Associate Chief Librarian, Research Access. David’s career also includes roles at the Auckland Art Gallery and at Te Papa managing logistics, storage and documentation of collections. David brings a range of perspectives on the activities of libraries, museums, galleries and archives, with a particular interest in how they are responding to and utilising the digital environment. David is also experienced in museum building design and has been involved in a number of building redevelopments and collection relocation projects. He holds a Bachelor of Building Science from Victoria University of Wellington and Diplomas in Professional Photography and Museum Studies.
Haare Williams – Pae Arahi (Director of Maori Partnerships) Haare Williams – Pae Arahi (Director of Maori Partnerships)
Haare Williams grew up in remote New Zealand on the shores of the Ohiwa Harbour near Opotiki. He was raised in the traditional Maori way, not speaking English until eight when he started school. He is of Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki, Rongowhakaata and Tuhoe tribes. Haare has taught in primary and secondary schools, at tertiary institutions and has been a pioneer in Maori broadcasting. In his work in the media and for New Zealand Libraries he has valued his role in collecting and preserving Te Reo - the “spoken taonga of a nation”. He was an executive director of the New Zealand 1990 Commission, and has been a highly respected independent consultant in the Maori aspects of education, health, business, art and the media. Haare joined Auckland Museum in 2011.

Auckland Museum Trust Board

The following people are involved in governance of Auckland War Memorial Museum:

Dr William Randall – Chairman Dr William Randall – Chairman
With Masters and PhD degrees in biology as well as an MBA in business/finance, William Randall has spent 15 years in banking and finance where he managed the treasury function for a large US investment company (Fidelity Investments) and was the managing director of New Zealand stockbroking company ANZ Securities NZ Limited. Currently a director of Capstone Partners, William’s primary interest lies in helping the country to develop its biotechnological capabilities in science.
Paul Brewer Paul Brewer
Currently External Relations Director at The Edge, Auckland’s performing arts and conventions centre, Paul has held a variety of corporate communications roles mainly in New Zealand’s financial, business and political sectors. He was the founding director of marketing and communications at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa where he established and directed all aspects associated with the Museum’s external positioning. While at Te Papa, Paul led the successful fundraising project Blue Water Black Magic: A Tribute to Sir Peter Blake in partnership with the New Zealand National Maritime Museum. He was recently appointed a trustee of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation. Paul has an MA (Hons) in English Literature from Auckland University.
Carol Gernhoefer Carol Gernhoefer
Carol Gernhoefer is a chartered accountant with a post-graduate degree in Japanese. Carol has over 15 years of experience as an accountant and consultant working for one of the Big Four chartered accounting firms and also as a CFO for companies in the property, financial services and travel industry. As her work experience was gained in the UK, America, Japan and New Zealand she is able to apply a global perspective to business operations in New Zealand. Carol is currently a freelance accountant and business consultant and has a strong interest in not-for-profit organisations.
Peter L Hays Peter L Hays
Peter is a Life Member and former President of the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants and is also a Fellow of the Arbitrators and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand. He has served as NZ chairman of an international accountancy practice, as a member of the NZ Accounting Standards Review Board and as member of the Market Surveillance Panel of the NZ Stock Exchange. He has had a significant involvement in international accountancy including as a member of the Council of the International Federation of Accountants. Peter is a director of several companies and serves also as a trustee of the University of Auckland Foundation. He has had a lengthy association with the Museum through the Museum Circle Foundation, of which he is a former chairman.
Dr Margaret Horsburgh Dr Margaret Horsburgh
Margaret Horsburgh holds a Doctorate in Education and Masters of Arts with honours in Education. Her undergraduate degrees are in anthropology and archaeology. For 25 years she has been involved in tertiary education at a senior level at AUT University and the University of Auckland. She is a registered nurse and holds an Associate Professorship in the Medical and Health Sciences Faculty at the University of Auckland. Margaret has governance experience with both crown companies and not-for-profit organisations and is a member of the Institute of Directors. As an active Rotarian she has wide involvement with communities. More recently, through her work she has been linked with community development projects.
John McIntyre John McIntyre
John McIntyre’s background is in the service industry where he has had an extensive career in the travel industry sector, principally in the fields of airline sales, marketing, operations, relationship management and corporate key account travel management. Holding post-graduate qualifications in Marketing and having a strong interest in history and heritage has led to a broadened involvement within the tourism sector. Currently a freelance Auckland tour guide and marketing consultant, John is involved with the strategic development of the AUT University Business History Project.
Wendy McPhail Wendy McPhail
Holding post-graduate qualifications in business administration, Wendy McPhail has 20 years of sales and marketing experience in senior management and professional consulting services. In 1992 she established the Covey Leadership Centre here in New Zealand, a highly successful leadership development organisation, where she worked with organisations throughout Asia Pacific. This work subsequently led to her interest in strategic foresight where, as a director of In Touch Group, she now advises start-ups, private and public sector and not-for-profit organisations on their ability to be positioned effectively in a world of accelerating change.
John Sinclair John Sinclair
John Sinclair is a Registered Architect who has practised in New Zealand and abroad since 1972. He is a graduate of Auckland University and has been director and consultant on developments throughout New Zealand, the Pacific and Asia. He is a former member of the ARC, past President of the NZ Institute of Architects and has represented NZ on the Union International of Architects (UIA) and the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) as vice President Oceania. He is Chairman of Chamber Music NZ Foundation, board member of the NZ Academic Audit Unit, trustee of Musica Sacra, Cathedral Music Foundation, former Chairman of Auckland YMCA, member of Auckland Cathedral Council and Auckland Zoo Trust.
Danny Tumahai Danny Tumahai
Te Puna Tumahai is a nationally recognised kaumatua (elder) of Ngati Whatua o Orakei and chair of their Kaumatua Council. From 1996 to 2007 he was chair of the Museum’s legislated Maori Advisory Committee: Taumata-a-Iwi (comprising Ngati Whatua, Tainui and Ngati Paoa). This year he replaced the late Sir Hugh Kawharu as the Taumata’s second appointee to the Museum Trust Board, carrying overall responsibility for alignment of Maori Values (mana Maori, mana whenua, manaaki) at governance level. Te Puna advises departments of Courts, Corrections and Education; serves on the The Edge (Auckland City Council’s Arts Board), the Orakei Reserves Board, National Maritime Museum Trust. On top of this he continuously fulfills Ngati Whatua civic duties in partnership with the Mayor of Auckland.
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