Maori Party Delighted with Te Papa Appointment

The Maori Party has today congratulated Michelle Hippolite, of Ngati Pou and Rongowhakaata, in being appointed to the role of Kaihautu at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Te Papa to advance its relationships with iwi and to give true meaning to Treaty based partnerships” said Mrs Turia.

“The protection and preservation of our taonga Maori, and the ongoing need for research and knowledge in this area, is of ongoing importance to tangata whenua and the nation as a whole” said Mrs Turia.

“I know that the professional expertise and enormous policy experience that Michelle brings to the role will be invaluable in moving us forwards” said Mrs Turia.

“Michelle spent a short time as a Senior Private Secretary in my Ministerial Office where her competency and professionalism was second to none” said Mrs Turia.

“I have watched her work across treaty settlement policy, Maori health, Maori broadcasting and in the Prime Minister’s Department and I am utterly confident in her capacity to help lead Te Papa forwards in such critical areas as repatriation, Matauranga Maori and in extending Te Papa’s outreach to museums across Aotearoa”.