Election Process

• Eligible members can vote for up to 2 candidates from the nominees below
• Voting DEADLINE 5pm 29 May 2025
• If you are eligible to vote - contact MA or retrieve the voting papers emailed to you.
• Unsuccessful candidates will be given strong consideration for co-option, particularly if they bring skills and experience that would benefit the board
• All nominees will be informed of the outcome prior to the AGM with the result being announced to the wider membership at the AGM

Board Nominations, listed in alphabetical order:

Nominee Profile: Guy Annan

I am a digital and cultural sector leader with over 13 years of experience delivering innovative digital platforms, campaigns, and creative technology solutions across New Zealand's & Australia’s most respected cultural institutions. Currently serving as Marketing and Development Manager at Waiheke Art Gallery and Sculpture on the Gulf, I bring deep hands-on expertise in digital strategy, innovation, audience engagement, partnerships and project management to the GLAM sector. As Digital Manager at Mona (Museum of Old and New Art) from 2022–2025, I led the delivery of the Mona website, Mona Foma and Dark Mofo festival platforms, e-commerce, and digital activations. Prior to that, as Digital Experience Manager at Auckland War Memorial Museum (2018–2021), I led gallery renewal projects involving XR, VR, AR, and emerging technologies — earning multiple Best Awards nominations. This experience has given me a rare dual perspective: deep technical capability combined with an intimate understanding of how digital tools serve cultural storytelling and visitor connection. I am passionate about ensuring New Zealand's museums and galleries are equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, and would bring to the Museums Aotearoa Board a strong voice for digital innovation, audience development, and the practical challenges facing Aotearoa’s cultural institutions.

Nominee Profile: Anne Blyth

I have a long-held passion for the history and arts of Aotearoa New Zealand, a passion that was ignited in the late 90s when I took on a management role in the Libraries and Museum Unit for Hamilton City. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working at institutions like Waikato Museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, and now as Director of Museums and Heritage for Waipā District Council. At Te Awamutu Museum, I lead a dedicated team that cares for significant taonga and archives related to the New Zealand Wars. Our Museum has earned recognition as a finalist for Museums Aotearoa awards, including Exhibition Excellence (2013 & 2014), Innovation in Public Programming (2016), and Best Museum Shop Product Range (2019), as well as Qualmark Gold. I’ve spearheaded transformative projects like Te Ara Wai Journeys, a mobile-based website that sparks greater community connection with Waipā heritage, and the development plan for a new Te Awamutu Museum. I’ve overseen earthquake strengthening work of the current museum building, managed the relocation development of a temporary offering, and re-established the Museum back to its previous, strengthened location with a completely refreshed offering. I have enjoyed serving on the Board for the past year with the recruitment of our new CEO and Office/Membership Manager being key milestones. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to share my skills and experience with Museums Aotearoa, collaborating with the Board to ensure it serves its members and the wider museum community with purpose and innovation.

Nominee Profile: Simon Gould

A senior museum professional of more than 25 years, I am a dedicated advocate for Aotearoa museums as trusted, accessible places of knowledge and discussion. It has never been more important in a world of financial and political instability. Under my leadership as Head of Exhibitions at MOTAT, we have opened the largest science and technology centre in Aotearoa to date. Unmistakably ‘of this place’, Te Puawānanga also won International Exhibition of the Year at the London-based Museums and Heritage Awards. Other international and national awards have come under my watch for our bicultural and digital work. As an Executive Committee member of ASTEN, I have led multiple conferences focusing on the importance of connection, collaboration and indigenous knowledge among museums in Oceania. We live in a world of increasing mis and dis-information and it is crucial that we are able to support and inspire our kaimahi and manuhiri, especially our youngest and most vulnerable to be able to ask questions, feel safe, have fun and be excited about what museums can offer them. I have the strategic experience, leadership and desire to support the MA membership in this work. I would be honoured to be selected for the board.

Nominee Profile: Izzy Hillman

Izzy Hillman is Kairauhī Whakaaturanga (Exhibitions Curator) at Aigantighe Art Gallery, a role she has held since 2024. She leads the development of a dynamic exhibition programme and commissions site-responsive projects, contributing to increased audience engagement and visibility for contemporary art in a regional context. Izzy is a curator and early-career art historian from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland with over five years’ experience across public and private galleries in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, alongside a background in strategic communications. Her practice spans exhibition development, commissioning, audience engagement, and sector-facing communication. She has curated solo, group, and survey exhibitions and contributes to strengthening regional museum practice through programming that connects artists, audiences, and institutions. Izzy regularly presents at academic and industry conferences and contributes to sector discourse through writing, interviews, and research. She has a strong publication record, most recently editing Rosemary Campbell: Undulations of Memory (2026). Her practice includes advocacy for under-recognised artists and a commitment to strengthening equitable representation within exhibition-making and museum contexts. She holds degrees from the University of Auckland and the University of Canterbury, and a Master of Art Curating from the University of Sydney.

Nominations are now closed.