I started at Katikati Heritage Museum in 2011. We then took a quantum leap into the real museum world with the creation of Western Bay Museum in 2015, the museum you see today.

I have a background in Sales and Marketing and a love of people and public relations.

In my role as Manager of the Museum I have support and guidance from Te Papa National Services Te Paerangi, while Museums Aotearoa provides our Code of Ethics and our highly skilled Board of Trustees support my bold ambitions for the Museum.

It is a privilege to lead our team of volunteers and employees as we aspire to build the best little museum in Aotearoa. I’m proud to be part of a museum created for the community, by the community.

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I moved to Katikati in 2012 and really enjoy working within my local community and meeting people from all walks of life whether it be volunteers or visitors to the museum.

My career background is Human Resources, Health & Safety, Payroll and Office Management, all of which are being utilised in my role as Office Manager at Western Bay Museum along with finance and assisting with funding.

I have not worked in this sector before and now realise just how much work goes on behind the scenes of running a museum as well as educational and group experiences ,several exhibitions per year and other community events.  No two days are the same and I enjoy learning new tasks and turning my hand to anything that needs to be done. There is definitely plenty of variety in my role.

We have a great team of volunteers and a very supportive Manager and Trustees which make the museum the success it is today. I look forward to being part of the future growth and development of the museum.

Hone Winder-Murray is a Katikati local from Te Rereatukāhia Marae and has taken on the role of Takawaenga - Mana Whenua Liaison Officer after returning home from the Far North. Hone has most recently been working in Māori media - producing and directing livestream broadcasts but also has qualifications in environmental conservation. The appointment of Hone’s role came through a selection panel of hapū representatives of Northern Tauranga Moana. He has been tasked with building and maintaining relationships with local hapū as well as identifying ways to implement cultural aspects into the museum. Hone also allows the museum to grow and develop towards achieving our Te Tiriti o Waitangi roles and responsibilities.

Michelle Crook MNZM has been a marketing consultant for more than twenty years and her passion is improving the performance of businesses or charitable organisations.  

Michelle’s marketing journey began when she joined the marketing team at EziBuy in Palmerston North in 1997. Five years later she moved to Tauranga where she continued working in marketing as an external Marketing Consultant. 

Michelle is currently Project Lead (New Build) Tauranga Moana Night Shelter Trust  and Director and Marketing Strategist for Metro Marketing. She has served as a Rotarian for over 15 years and has sat on multiple boards, including Creative Bay of Plenty, Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Trust, Breast Cancer Support Services Tauranga Trust and more. 

Not only has Michelle completed all of the Great Walks of New Zealand, she has also finished seven marathons on seven continents and in 2020, after completing Antarctica, Michelle joined the Seven Marathons Continent Club.

Donna’s curatorial qualification and experience combined with her people skills is the perfect formula to lead the collections team.  The skill and science of this role is complimented by Donna’s Bachelor of Social Science and includes a Degree in Geography & Art History.  Donna was the Registrar of the Tauranga Art Gallery.

Tammy provides fun and fascination combined with 1800 student connections a year with the Year 5 & 6 students of Katikati Primary School.  These hands-on and interactive experiences are thoroughly enjoyed and young environmentalists emerge.  Our backyard is the best place to explore and learn. Tammy is passionate, experienced and qualified to do this work.

Carly is in her third year of a BA majoring in History. Carly has completed a range of papers in both New Zealand and European history, including History of Aotearoa Peoples, Iwi History, Tūrangawaewae: Identity in Belonging in Aotearoa and is currently doing The NZ Wars and Te Tiriti oWaitangi.  Carly assists through digitization, cataloguing and exhibition documentation.

Rhiannon joined the team at the Western Bay Museum in her role as part-time Digital Communications Coordinator in September 2022. Originally from Canada, Rhiannon has worked in museums, national parks and cultural spaces across Canada since 2008, including as the former Project Manager, Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives for the Ontario Museum Association. Rhiannon joins us with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, and a Master's degree in Library and Information Science.

Rhiannon is looking forward to working with Paula and the extended team of staff and committed volunteers to help communicate the work being done to make the Western Bay Museum the best little museum in Aotearoa.

In addition to working part-time at the museum on a contract basis, Rhiannon is also the Librarian at Katikati Primary School.