Are we there yet? Series Launch

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Join the National Librarian Te Pouhuaki Rachel Esson with Acting Chief Archivist Honiana Love and Tumu Whakarae Courtney Johnston for the official launch of ‘Are we there yet?’ as they discuss the history and future of female leadership.

Nau mai, haere mai!
Welcome to the launch of our new kōrero series ‘Are we there yet?’ This series is inspired by the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition – Te Petihana Whakamana Pōti Wahine and the eponymously named exhibition at Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Come with us as we traverse the landscape of feminism from the suffragists to contemporary feminism, and assess how far we’ve come and what still needs fighting for.

Kōrero about leadership in the GLAM sector
Join us for a history-making moment as we hear from three women leaders paving the way forward for our world-leading national institutions in the GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, museums) sector.

In a lively panel discussion on the history and future of women in leadership, National Librarian Te Pouhuaki Rachel Esson will be joined by esteemed colleagues, Honiana Love, Acting Chief Archivist Kaipupuri Matua at Archives New Zealand, and Courtney Johnston, Tumu Whakarae at Te Papa Tongarewa.

About the speakers
Rachel Esson was appointed Te Pouhuaki National Librarian in 2020. She is responsible for leading all National Library services in New Zealand. Rachel also contributes to the leadership of the Information and Knowledge Services branch of the Department of Internal Affairs. Previously Director Content Services of the National Library, Rachel is a professionally registered librarian who has held senior and strategic roles in academic and research libraries for many years. She has researched and published in the area of evaluation of library services. Her previous roles have included Associate Chief Librarian Alexander Turnbull Library, Associate Director Library Academic Services at Victoria University, and Medical Librarian (University of Otago, Wellington).

Honiana Love (Te Ātiawa, Taranaki Iwi, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Ruahinerangi) is Acting Chief Archivist at Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga. Prior to joining Archives New Zealand, Honiana worked at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision as Pou Ārahi, and Senior Adviser Māori at Manatū Taonga, Ministry for Culture and Heritage. She has over 25 years of archival experience — including working as an archivist at Archives New Zealand and Te Reo o Taranaki, and as a librarian.

Courtney Johnston took up the role of Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive at Te Papa Tongarewa in December 2019. Courtney brings a wealth of experience to the role, spanning museums, digital development and governance. While completing a Masters in Art History at Victoria University of Wellington, Courtney worked at numerous Wellington art galleries and museums as a visitor host, including at Te Papa just after its opening. She went on to roles at City Gallery Wellington, National Library of New Zealand, and as general manager at web agency Boost New Media. From 2012 to 2018, Courtney was Director of The Dowse Art Museum and Petone Settlers Museum Te Whare Whaakaro o Pito-one.