Friends Forever - Friends of Tūhura Otago Museum for 100 Years

Friends of Tūhura Otago Museum
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Ceramics from Persia, an articulated seal pup, a helmet from the 12th century, enough Victorian chairs to fill a ballroom – what do these things have in common? Friends. Whose friends? The friends of Tūhura Otago Museum. Tune in as we share stories and knowledge celebrating the Friends of Tūhura’s 100th anniversary.

  1. 2d ago

    13 - Tuhura gallery trails - Cushla and Jess

    Gallery trails are a fun way to put on a detective hat, explore Tūhura’s galleries, and learn about some of the wonderful things on display at the museum. Join us to hear how Cushla McKinney and Jessica Hall have developed gallery trails for both young children and those more fully fledged. Cushla has served the Friends of Tūhura for many years as council member and president. She has had a long-standing goal for the Friends to provide more family-friendly activities and has collaborated with Jess Hall for this. Cushla and Jess recruited their children to help locate items in Tūhura’s galleries that have a connection with the Friends of Tūhura. Using their combined sleuthing skills, they have put together gallery trails for others to use in the winter months. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz and made thanks to the support of NZ on Air.

    26 min

  2. Jun 17

    12 - Jane Gregory, linchpin at Tuhura Museum

    Jane Gregory, linchpin at Tūhura Museum - What is life without connections between people, groups and institutions? Connections within and for Tūhura are fundamental aims of the delightful administrator, Jane Gregory. As liaison between museum staff and the Association of Friends and organisational linchpin at Tūhura, Jane opens up about her many years serving as an executive assistant in the UK and NZ, bringing us to her role today as EA to Tūhura director Dr. Ian Griffin. Our audience is treated to a glimpse into the inner workings of the museum and how Jane endeavours to keep its dedicated staff informed, administers the Museum’s Trust Board and other committees and helps the director keep track of his vital activities. The extent of knowledge and experience that Jane provides the Friends is invaluable, and she shares methods behind her legendary efficiency with our listeners. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz and made thanks to the support of NZ on Air.

    26 min

  3. Jun 10

    11 - Julie Pearse, Friends of Tuhura’s Patron

    As a former president of the Friends of Tūhura and granddaughter of H. D. Skinner, Julie Pearse is well qualified to share the Friends' rich history. With fascinating anecdotes and historical information, Julie enlightens listeners on the highs and lows of the Association of Friends, how it battled membership problems in the 2000s and rose again. She tells tales of her “Pop’s” excavations and the games he would play with her in the museum. She also shares her father Dick Skinner’s views on the museum’ retention of Wharenui Mataatua and how they differed from her own. Our hosts are delighted to share glimpses of Julie’s lifetime of dedication to the museum, her mission work and establishment of the Otago Farmers Market, activities which contributed to her becoming a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2025. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz and made thanks to the support of NZ on Air.

    26 min

  4. Jun 3

    10 - Leota Meredith, Tuhura Pasifika Engagement Manager

    Helping communities find their voice is an extremely difficult job; luckily, it’s second nature for Leota Meredith, Pasifika engagement manager at Tūhura. In a time when museums are facing up to their colourful pasts, bringing in the perspectives of the many Pasifika communities in Otago is more important than ever. Leota has been on the frontline, helping the museum transform its Pasifika gallery into a representative and modern exhibit. Leota enlightens our audience on the tenets of community engagement and just how busy she has been! Our hosts discuss the unique and important relationship between the Friends and the Pasifika collection as it has evolved, while enjoying Leota’s famous quips. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz and made thanks to the support of NZ on Air.

    29 min

  5. May 27

    9 - Dr Doug Holborow, Friend of Tuhura

    Bad handwriting can spark intrigue or rage - a dilemma every archivist and volunteer has experienced. Dr Doug Holborow has decoded and catalogued many instances of illegible scrawls for the Tūhura Archives project. On today’s show, retired periodontist Doug walks our hosts through his storied past with the Friends as well as the process of archiving H. D. Skinner’s correspondence – a tad easier than pulling teeth. From surprise personal connections to polite declinations, Doug enlightens and informs our listeners on the fascinating world of historic museum collection. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz and made thanks to the support of NZ on Air.

    28 min

  6. May 20

    8 - Jeanette Leigh, Tuhura Archive Project volunteer

    Volunteers are the backbone of community and creative institutions and Jeanette Leigh has racked up countless hours of tireless work. Why choose which associations to belong to when you can be a life member for most of them? That’s exactly what our guest today did. Jeanette inspires our hosts and audience with stories from her work on the Tūhura Otago Museum archives project, her history with the Friends of Tūhura, and the city of Dunedin. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz and made thanks to the support of NZ on Air.

    26 min

  7. May 13

    7 - Dr Georgia Ciaran - Tuhura Philanthropy

    Without donations, charitable cultural institutions struggle to survive. Dr Georgia Ciaran has made it her life’s mission to help keep irreplaceable icons like Tūhura Otago Museum thriving for generations to come. On today’s show, our guest, the head of philanthropy and development at Tūhura, describes how every penny given can leave a lasting legacy. Georgia gives our listeners insight into the impact of philanthropy at Tūhura - from sprinklers to collection management. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz and made thanks to the support of NZ on Air.

    25 min

  8. May 6

    6 - E/Prof Nancy Longnecker, Tuhura Friends President

    Host of Friends Forever and Friends president Nancy Longnecker is in the hotseat, with co-host Rafael and guest host Joëlle quizzing the science communication emerita professor on her long career and dedication to the Friends. Nancy discusses her work on the Friends’ centenary exhibition as well as the million other things she juggles to keep the Association helping Tūhura. A lifetime of helping to better communicate and inform the public, spanning agriculture, Moriori and much more; Nancy shares snippets of her fascinating life with listeners. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz and made thanks to the support of NZ on Air.

    26 min
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Ceramics from Persia, an articulated seal pup, a helmet from the 12th century, enough Victorian chairs to fill a ballroom – what do these things have in common? Friends. Whose friends? The friends of Tūhura Otago Museum. Tune in as we share stories and knowledge celebrating the Friends of Tūhura’s 100th anniversary.

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