Governance
Tasman Bays Heritage Trust
The Museum is governed by Tasman Bays Heritage Trust, a charitable trust registered with the Charities Services, Ngā Ratonga Kaupapa Atawhai.
The Trust was established in 2000 to administer the Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao as a regional heritage facility, on behalf of Tasman District Council and Nelson City Council [Deed of Trust 2000].
The Trust is a council-controlled organisation with statutory obligations under the Local Government Act 2002. Council stakeholding is structured as a 50:50 alliance. The Trust is bound by foundation contracts [Memorandum of Understanding 2000, 2009] and has a partnership with Mana Whenua o Whakatū, Motueka and Mohua. [Memorandum of Understanding 2007, 2010, 2014].
Trust Members are appointed by the Joint Committee, with one member elected as iwi representative by Te Tai Ao Komiti.
The Komiti guides the Museum on matters of tikanga and taonga Māori and consists of representatives of the six mana whenua iwi of the marae in Whakatū, Motueka, and Mohua: Ngāti Tama ki te Waipounamu, Ngāti Koata, Te Ātiawa o te Waka-a-Māui, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Ngāti Kuia.
Trust Board Meeting dates for 2026
11 February 2026
25 March 2026
29 April 2026
27 May 2026
24 June 2026
29 July 2026
26 August 2026
13 September 2026
28 October 2026
4 November 2026 (Annual Meeting)
9 December 2026
All meetings run from 3.00 - 5.30 pm unless otherwise stated. If you would like to attend a meeting, please contact the Trust’s Secretary (board.secretary@museumnp.org.nz)
Board of Trustees
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Venus has been living in Nelson for over a decade and calls Te Tauihu her home. Venus brings governance, management, leadership, strategic and business planning skills to the table. Her experience spans key sectors of business, retail (FMCG), Health & Safety, compliance, legal and education. Her substantial commercial experience comes from FMCG where she has spent 12 years in a large retail business. Venus has also worked in the public sector leading the General Elections 2023 as an Electorate Manager of Nelson Electorate. She is currently serving as a President of Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, and as a trustee to the New Zealand Kindergartens and Sport Tasman.
Venus is a Chartered Member of IOD and serves as a committee member on the Nelson Tasman branch of the Institute of Directors.
She commenced her role at TBHT in May 2024.
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Darren is a Fellow Chartered Accountant with Findex in Nelson and Richmond. He is also a Chartered Director and member of The Institute of Directors of New Zealand. He carries out work on a number of Boards locally both in the business and not for profit sectors. He provides strategic, business, risk and governance advice to his clients alongside accounting and taxation. He undertakes business valuation work on an ongoing basis.
Darren has been a Trustee of TBHT since November 2015 and is chair of the Museum’s Audit & Risk Committee.
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Andrew been involved in governance and nationwide management of community organisations over the past 27 years and are now semi-retired and living in Nelson, while continuing to provide advisory services to community housing providers. He has a background as a structural and civil Consulting Engineer and his subsequent senior management roles have included oversight of the development of all New Zealand Standards as well as establishment and management of Accessible Properties New Zealand Ltd, which has become the motu’s largest non-government community housing provider. Andrew is a Trustee and Chair of the Nelson Tasman Housing Trust and a past Council member and Chair of Community Housing Aotearoa Inc.
He commenced his role at TBHT in May 2024.
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Rōpata is from the iwi of Te Tauihu, the northern South Island, and brings cultural, governance, leadership, commercial, communications and design expertise to the table. His experience spans iwi governance, culture, corporate communications, branding, philanthropy, leadership succession, heritage, design and community leadership.
Rōpata is Chair of the Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa Iwi Trust Board, a land legacy-based organisation. He is also a senior leader at Wakatū Incorporation, where he holds the role of Tumu Manatū / General Manager Manatū. He has been with Wakatū since 2002 and has held a General Manager role since 2007.
Rōpata is a Justice of the Peace, has acted as an expert witness to the New Zealand Environment Court, and has advised local government, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and the Department of Conservation. He is also a member of the Charter School Authorisation Board | Te Poari Whakamana Kura Hourua and holds a number of trustee and director roles within the community.
An accomplished public speaker, author and heritage specialist, Rōpata is widely recognised for his design expertise in architecture, landscapes, urban streetscapes, building interiors, visitor interpretation and product design.
He commenced his role at TBHT in 2025.
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Derek has a range of governance experiences, including thirty years on the Nelson City Council, Nelson Marlborough Regional Council, and the Nelson Catchment and Regional Water Board. He chaired the Trust’s predecessor, the Nelson Provincial Museum Committee, for six years (1992-1998). Derek has been involved in numerous local and national community organisations, including founding the Nelson Environment Centre (1976-present) and serving as chairperson for forty years. He was a founding trustee of the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary Trust (2004-2019). With twenty years of involvement in various sports organisations, he is currently the chairperson of the Top of the South Athletics Charitable Trust and a board member of NZ Masters Athletics. Through his part-time publishing business, Nikau Press, he has published over thirty local histories and guidebooks. Derek holds a B.Sc (Hons) and a Diploma of Teaching. In June 2023, he was appointed to The New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his services to local government, conservation, and athletics.
Commenced TBHT November 2015.
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Eva grew up in the Tasman region and brings strategy, development, governance, stakeholder engagement and community sector experience to the table. Her experience spans the public and community sectors, including previous mahi with both local councils.
Eva currently works with the Department of Internal Affairs, where she supports community organisations, iwi and marae to lead their own development and further their priorities. In her role, she acts as a local interface for New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds, holds relationships with grant funders across the region, and provides advice and support to governance boards across Te Tauihu.
Eva has experience in governance roles across for-purpose and education-focused organisations. Her previous responsibilities have included setting strategic direction, stakeholder engagement, supporting bicultural capability, and growing financial sustainability through funding strategy and fundraising.
She commenced her role at TBHT in 2025.
Life Associates
Robin Whalley
Business Consultant; Professional Trustee; Company Director; Past Chairman Nelson/ Marlborough branch of New Zealand Society of Accountants; Chartered Secretary. Foundation Trustee of Tasman Bays Heritage Trust served for eight years 2000-2008. Chairman 2007-08.
Dr Mike Johnston
A geologist, researcher, historian and author of four regional histories and over 50 scientific papers. Life member and former president of Nelson Historical Society and is Convener of the Geological Society of New Zealand's Historical Studies Group. Served as a Trustee of Nelson Provincial Museum for thirty years. Foundation Trustee 2000-2009..
Patricia O'Shea (1940-2014)
It is with sadness and deep respect that Patsy's death in October 2014 is noted for this record. The turnout of family, friends and former Trust Board colleagues was a fitting tribute. BA (Canterbury) history and sociology. historian, author and researcher. Former local body representative Motueka Borough Council and Tasman District Council (18 years in total). Long-term member Motueka and Districts Museum Trust. A member of the Motueka Arts Council and New Zealand Society of Genealogists. Inaugural Chairperson of Tasman Bays Heritage Trust 2000 - 2007.