Meet Olivia

What attracted you to working at the Navy Museum?
Our family spends a great deal of time at the Torpedo Bay Museum, café and playground, the kids love it. We are so lucky to have this special piece of history here in Devonport. My great grandfather, grandfather and grandmother all have ties to our Royal NZ Navy, so I feel a real connection to this place.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Every day is different! We could have a Navy Graduation Ceremony happening in the Pavilion space one day and then a conference group using Whakatere, our meeting room,
the next. It’s a real mix of Navy uniforms and everyday folk down here. And the location itself is magic.

What do you enjoy least?

I’m in my second month in the role, so I have nothing to complain about, yet!

Name the most unexpected fact you have learnt since taking up your role at the Museum.

I was not expecting the team to be so wonderful and welcoming (fact!).

Name your favourite object in the Museum and explain why you chose it.

The morse code key makes me think of my dear Pop, Jack. He was a morse code signaller in WW2. My 5-year-old loves it too, always beelines for it to practice spelling out his name.

What’s the most memorable thing you have done since being at the Museum?

Being present when the Navy Museum Collections team received a gift of taonga Māori from Te Taua Moana Marae was pretty special. Although, holding fossilized dinosaur poo last week was up there with good work stories!

Name the funniest moment since you joined the Museum?

Listening to old records on the beautiful gramophone today was a treat.

How do you enjoy spending your time outside work?

Hitting the beach with the kids, drinking coffee and long lunches.

Meet other members of the team