Applications for the Mina McKenzie Award have been deferred to 2021.

This award is dedicated to the memory of Mina McKenzie who made a longstanding and significant contribution to the museum profession. 

The Mina McKenzie Award is presented annually to an individual working in the museum and gallery sector, who has made an outstanding contribution in the past 2-4 years. This is not a monetary award, nor a lifetime achievement award, instead is intended to recognise specific achievements and contributions, especially those which are additional to the individual's job description.

In Mina’s memory, this award has a special focus on the particular aspects she saw as integral to the sector’s growth and success.

Nominations are now open, and can be made by any member of Museums Aotearoa. Nominees can be paid or unpaid staff or volunteers working in any aspect of the museum sector. Nominations will cite key achievements, such as how the nominee has:

• demonstrated commitment to equal representation of tangata whenua within the sector
• empowered kaitiaki Māori
• encouraged and empowered emerging museum professionals
• contributed to innovation within their workplace or community
• inspired others through visionary leadership
• made a difference to institutional practice
• brought in fresh ideas or perspectives to their museum/gallery
• devised and led a new initiative
• changed local/community perceptions of their museum/gallery
• contributed to the sector more broadly - such as raising its profile with new audiences

The Award will be decided by a judging panel appointed by the Museums Aotearoa Board with input from Mina McKenzie’s whānau. There was no award made in 2019.

Applications can be submitted to awards@museumsaotearoa.org.nz.

Find out more about our Scholarships & Awards

See previous recipients of the Mina McKenzie Award