Changes to the Ngā Taonga Board

At its meeting on 21 October 2021 the Board of Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision formally appointed a new Chair and Deputy Chair. With his term limit approaching, Simon Murdoch stepped down as Chair and was succeeded by Emily Loughnan, formerly the Deputy Chair. Simon will continue as a Board member until mid-2022.

The Board also confirmed a new Deputy Chair. Whetu Fala, the senior Māori Member of the Board, will take up that role at the December meeting. She will serve in that capacity until her term limit, also in mid-2022.

The Board further agreed that it would progress a decision in principle, taken earlier this year, to move towards a constitutional change to implement a co-chairing arrangement. This is consistent with the bicultural kaupapa enshrined in the Archive’s constitution, reflecting the partnership values and precepts of Te Tiriti.

As outgoing Chair, Simon shared the following message with stakeholders and supporters:

'I wish to thank you warmly for the support extended to Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision – both Board and organisation, during my time as Chair. At ministerial and departmental level, and especially from our partner institutions in the recorded and documentary heritage sector, that support has enabled Ngā Taonga to face the future with a degree of assurance, and of hope.'