Appointment ‘important move’

OTAGO Museum Maori curator Dr Gerard O’Regan has been appointed an honorary senior research fellow in the University of Otago archaeology programme.

Archaeology programme head Prof Richard Walter said the appointment was ‘‘an extremely important move for archaeology’’ and would greatly benefit research relationships with the museum and Ngai Tahu.

Dr O’Regan (Ngai Tahu), who was appointed Maori curator and pouhere kaupapa Maori (Maori cultural adviser) at the museum in April, has more than 30 years’ experience in heritage management.