Mina McKenzie

Mina Louise McKenzie (née Gillespie; 2 February 1930 – 11 March 1997) was a New Zealand museum director based in Palmerston North.

[2][3] She was educated at Wanganui Girls' College, and went on to study zoology, geology and chemistry at the University of Otago between 1948 and 1950.

Contrary to prevailing museum practices of the time she pursued a philosophy of 'keeping the taonga (Māori: sacred objects) warm.'

This approach facilitated access for source communities to the museum collections including touching and wearing items of significance.

[7] McKenzie was the only woman on the Te Maori committee and the museum she was director of was not asked to contribute any collection items to the exhibition.

Throughout the 1980s, she utilised funding from government work schemes to employ students and Māori and train them in museum practice.

McKenzie was instrumental in the establishment of a museum studies programme at Massey University, where she was an honorary associate professor from 1990 until her death in 1997.

Bruce McKenzie receives the Massey University Medal awarded posthumously to Mina McKenzie from the university chancellor, Morva Croxson , at a graduation ceremony at the Regent Theatre, Palmerston North, in May 1998