Waikato Museum named as finalist twice in national museum awards

Waikato Museum has been named a finalist in the New Zealand Museum Awards 2012, with not one but two of its entries.

The museum has been recognised for an innovative temporary wall fabrication system which addresses the issue of waste and sustainability when changing exhibitions, and the exhibition Red, Yellow and (All) Black, a local look at our much-loved national game.

Waikato Museum’s Acting Director, Andy Lowe is thrilled with the announcement.

“Our two entries represent what we do well. World class exhibitions and innovative thinking,” he said.
“The unique wall fabrication system is the brainchild of Exhibitions Technician Stephen Salt. As well as using this technology within our museum we have the potential to develop and share it with others. And Red, Yellow and (All) Black, launched to coincide with the Rugby World Cup was an exciting, lively exhibition which relived some of the defining moments in our rugby history in a factual yet often unexpected way.”

Winners will be named from among the 15 finalists at a gala dinner in Wellington on 19 April celebrating the fifth annual national museum awards. The awards recognise new museum developments, innovative projects and excellent exhibitions.

The selection panel, including guest judges Jock Phillips and Heather Galbraith, had a difficult job selecting from a record number of entries.

Phillipa Tocker, Executive Director of Museums Aotearoa said the panel had some robust debate about which entries were most deserving, and this is why there are a large number of finalists.

“We are delighted at the quality and quantity of these projects,” she said.
Waikato Museum’s temporary wall fabrication system was entered in the innovation and new technology category. Other finalists recognised by the judges were mobile phone and online projects entered by Auckland Museum and Christchurch Art Gallery.

Among a number of rugby-related offerings, the judges agreed Red, Yellow and (All) Black developed by Waikato Museum stood out as engaging and user-friendly for all kinds of visitors.
The award judges, Jock Phillips, Heather Galbraith, Greg McManus and Jane Legget, said that the entries exercised and impressed them.

“It is rewarding to see so many creative and exciting projects being produced despite – or in spite of – the financial and other challenges facing our public museums and galleries,” said Phillipa Tocker.