This week, our Co-Chairs David and Carolyn welcomed the appointment of new Board member Izzy Hillman, Exhibitions Curator at Aigantighe Gallery, at our AGM on 09 June, while Director of Te Awamutu Museum Anne Blyth was voted onto the Board for a second term.

Izzy Hillman 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.

Anne Blyth has a long-held passion for the history and arts of Aotearoa New Zealand, a passion that was ignited in the late 90s when she took on a management role in the Libraries and Museum Unit for Hamilton City. Since then, she's 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, Anne leads a dedicated team that cares for significant taonga and archives related to the New Zealand Wars. Te Awamutu 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. She has 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.

Anne has 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.

Anne has 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.

From the team at MA – thank you and welcome aboard!