ABOUT US
Background
In 1986, the inaugural committee meeting was held, and the Te Kuiti and District Historical Society was formed.
It came about after a Rotary photographic exhibition, during the boroughs Jubilee celebrations. Such was the public interest that the Waitomo District Council held a public meeting to gauge interest in in the formation of a Historical Society.
Many of the founding members were Rotary members and
on the formation of the Society, the Rotary club donated its photographic collection.
The founding committee members were:
Patron: Mr J. Bolger
President: Mr J. O’Halloran
Vice-President: Mr W Conroy
Secretary: Mrs E. Wright
Treasurer: Mrs R. Williams
Committee: Mrs P. Freeman, Mrs B. Boswell, Mrs H. Tauhara, Mrs M. Tangihaere, Mr A. Harris, Mr I. McKinley, Mrs B. Mc Donald, Mr C. Harrison and Mrs M. Harrison.
The original premises used was the former Ministry of Works building in Queen St.
Today
In 2016 the committee purchased the former Post Office building in Rora St. with the vision of setting up a museum.
The dream was realised and Te Kuiti Museum and Gallery opened in April 2018, in conjunction with The Te Kuiti Muster weekend.
Many people have helped out on the committee of the Society at varying stages over the years, not least, Russell Aldridge who was the President at the time of the museum opening and who is still very involved today.
The committee members of the now ‘Te Kuiti and District Historical Charitable Trust’ are:
Patron: Mr B. Hanna
President: Mr G. Bailey
Vice-President: Mr T. Jones
Secretary: Mrs J. Kearins
Treasurer: Mrs J. Ikin
Committee: Mr R. Aldridge, Mr M. Keen, Mr G. Churstain, Mrs M. Churstain, Mrs L. Daniel, Mrs M. Ngatai-Hughes and Mr C. Hill.
Support volunteers to the committee:
Mr M. Lamb
Te Kuiti Genealogy Group
Mr M. McQuilkin
Employed Archivist: Ms C. Te Whare