Key People

Executive Management Team

Roy Clare CBE – 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 »

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.

Megan McSweeney – Director External Affairs, Tourism and Sales
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. She is on the board of the Tourism Industry Association of NZ. Megan McSweeney joined Auckland Museum in 2011.

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.

Rose Powell – Director People, Organisation and Visitor Services
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 recently completed an MBA at AUT University majoring in International Business and Human Resources.

Linnae Pohatu – Tumuaki Director, Maori Projects & Development
Linnae Pohatu joins the Museum in the newly created role of Tumuaki Director, a position designed to enhance the Museum’s relationships with Maori and to help extend the range of services the Museum offers to the public. Linnae’s background includes working within the Government as a Parliamentary Officer in the House of Representatives, as Private Secretary to the minister in charge of Treaty Settlements and an Analyst in Policy and Negotiations for Treaty Settlements. Following her time in Government, Linnae spent three years at Te Papa Tongarewa as their Bicultural Policy Analyst. Linnae graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Maori Studies, followed by an honours degree.

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.

Wesley Wenhardt – Director of Commercial and Business Development
Wesley Wenhardt joined the Museum in October 2012 after moving from Vancouver, Canada. Wesley has a strong and successful commercial track record with numerous major visitor-focused organisations around the world. His career has encompassed planning, opening and revitalizing heritage sites, museums, science centres and IMAX theatres in major cities in Canada, the United States, South Africa, Scotland and Brunei. Wesley’s career includes roles at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Quebec and the Tech Museum of Innovation in California. Wesley is a graduate of the Getty Leadership institute in Los Angeles, California and the University of Alberta, Canada. He serves on the Board of the Western Museums Association (US and Canada).

Auckland Museum Trust Board

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

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.

Tafilelea Fa'avae Gagamoe
Fa’avae Gagamoe is studying for an MBA at Massey University and is an Arrow Scholarship recipient to study business at the University of Auckland in 2012-3. Past commercial experience includes roles in Pacific Island sales with Air New Zealand and a Virgin airline subsidiary. He is co-chairman of the independent, apolitical voice of education - RAISE Pasifika; vice-chairman of Rugby League Samoa NZ and an executive member of the Samoa Auckland Council and the Samoan Auckland City Community Fono. Fa’avae has given extensive community and local government service in the fields of health, economic development, media, water safety, the arts and volunteering.

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 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
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’s extensive background in the travel industry service sector brings experience principally in the fields of 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, led him to a broadened involvement within the inbound tourism sector. As the managing director of Select Tours NZ, a niche inbound travel business, John facilitates personalised, chauffeured, luxury tours and transport services for high end discerning guests visiting New Zealand. He is also involved with the business and labour history group of AUT University’s Work Research and Labour Market Institute.

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
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.