Michael Houlihan

Wellington, Jan 13 NZPA - Te Papa's board of directors has appointed the head of the National Museum of Wales as its new chief executive, following the tragic death of his predecessor last year.

The board announced the appointment of Michael Houlihan as the head of "Our Place" today, after what it called a comprehensive international search.

Currently head of Amgueddfa Cymru, a seven-museum group in Wales, Mr Houlihan would start at Te Papa later this year, Te Papa chairman John Judge said.

"The board at Te Papa has chosen Mr Houlihan in light of his distinguished record of leadership in the museum world and his particular skills in ethnic and bilingual museum establishment and management," he said.

Before taking charge of Amgueddfa Cymru in 2003, Mr Houlihan was chief executive of Northern Ireland's amalgamated national museums and galleries for five years.

Mr Houlihan said he was excited about the "different perspectives" he would face in heading Te Papa.

"Museums can't shy away from telling national stories, no matter how intricate or controversial they may be, and Te Papa is world famous for its innovative approach to demonstrating how culture and community memory has moulded the history and identity of New Zealand's communities," he said.

Mr Houlihan's predecessor, Seddon Bennington, died while tramping in the Tararua Ranges last July.

Dr Bennington and his tramping companion Marcella Jackson were found dead in the snow, after failing to return from a weekend tramp. A post mortem examination revealed they had died of hypothermia.

NZPA