KEY POINTS:
Maori Affairs reporterAntoine CoffinAuckland Museum's newest appointee hopes his approach will strengthen the ties between the institution and Maori.
Antoine Coffin has been named the Maori partnership and development executive, or kaitakawaenga pakihi, a new position.
When the museum's restructuring became public, iwi such as Ngati Whatua and Ngati Porou - unhappy with the uncertainty over taonga - talked of reclaiming artefacts from the museum, and even of laying a Treaty claim. Eventually, 24 staff were made redundant and 22 others took voluntary redundancy.
Mr Coffin, a cultural heritage expert, has been with the environmental and design consultancy firm Boffa Miskell in Tauranga for the past three years and has also done peer reviews for museums. His work has work included developing management plans for archaeological sites such as pa.
Of Ngaiterangi, Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Raukawa descent, the 37-year-old said getting buy-in from iwi and hapu was a key component of his work.
"My expertise is based on developing relationships and giving tangible meaning to it.
"As you can pick up, I haven't been intimately involved in museum politics. I think it's good to come with fresh ideas and not have that baggage.
"I'm really excited that my passion is going to be my fulltime job."
He said his new position was a senior-level role that would allow influence throughout the museum, not just in the Maori section.
Working more closely with iwi would be a priority - and there were many wanting conversations with the museum, Mr Coffin said.
"It's not about taking from the community, it's about giving as well. I know a number of people have been waiting for someone to come and talk with them."
He wanted to see more reciprocal practices from the museum including moretaonga making their way to their place of origin for visits.
That should be a matter of course, Mr Coffin said.
"We had Ko Tawa, the Gilbert Mair collection, down here [in Tauranga]; it was fantastic. Some of those [artefacts] haven't seen the sun for 100 years.
"Once they're behind closed doors in the darkness they can't really talk for themselves. But once you bring them out in to the light of day everyone gets excited.
"There's nothing like seeing and touching - that's what our people want todo."
Museum spokesman Russell Briggs said the new kaitakawaenga pakihi position was an integral part of the way the museum would interact with iwi.
Museum director Dr Vanda Vitali said Mr Coffin would bring great leadership to the museum.
"His particular expertise in building community partnerships will make him an ideal partner as we strengthen our connectedness and relevancy to all Aucklanders."
