Te Papa welcomes Dr Charles Royal to new leadership role

26 January 2016

Dr Charles Te Ahukaramū Royal (Marutūahu Ngāti Raukawa and Ngā Puhi) has been appointed Associate Director of Te Papa’s Ngā Manu Atarau directorate.

Dr Royal will take up his new role on 15 February 2016.

Dr Charles Te Ahukaramū Royal

“This is a newly-created role which will strengthen Te Papa’s leadership team and work closely with Kaihautu Arapata Hakiwai,” says Te Papa Chief Executive Rick Ellis.

“We are delighted to have attracted such a highly qualified and experienced leader to the role.”

“We know that Charles Royal will offer a creative, dynamic and future-focused leadership approach for Te Papa,” says Ellis.

Te Papa’s Kaihautū (Māori co-leader), Dr Arapata Hakiwai, said that Dr Royal’s appointment is an important step for the national museum.

“Te Papa is strengthening the principle of ‘mana taonga’ within the museum, and deepening its relationships with iwi communities,” says Hakiwai.

“Dr Royal brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and leadership and will be a huge asset for Te Papa in championing these kaupapa.”

Charles Royal is a researcher, academic and composer. He was Professor of Indigenous Development at the University of Auckland and concurrently Director of Nga Pae o te Maramatanga, an indigenous centre of research excellence hosted by the University of Auckland. During his tenure at the University of Auckland Dr Royal was also an invited Visiting Scholar at the University of London. Dr Royal is a former Fulbright Scholar, a Winston Churchill Fellow and has held a research residency at the Rockefeller Study and Conference Centre, Bellagio, Italy.

In addition to his academic career, Royal is also an acclaimed musician and composer. His major works include Te Arikinui, Reclamations and Baxter Songs. He has composed mōteatea for his music group Reo, including Āio, Te Take o te rakau, and I haere nei koe.

Media contact

Kate Camp, Communications Manager
029 601 0180