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Finalists for the ServiceIQ 2017 New Zealand Museum Awards, to be presented on 23rd May, include exhibitions and programmes about new New Zealanders, Māori, and stories about the nation's music, war exploits, stars, murderers and creativity.

Announcing the finalists, Museums Aotearoa Executive Director Phillipa Tocker stated “this breadth and diversity reflects our changing society and the innovative ways that museums and galleries are working with all our communities.”

Expert judging panels selected the finalists in each category, bringing a high level of rigour to the process, with Tocker adding “the judges' comments highlight the excellent quality of the entries overall, making their task a difficult one of identifying the best of the best.

“These exhibitions, programmes and projects showcase just some of the incredible experiences that our museums and galleries offer. Our people put a huge amount of time, expertise and professionalism into their work, and these are examples which would stand up alongside any of the best overseas.

"This is reflected in strong museum visitation by international tourists as well as local."

This year the award feature 27 finalists in eight award categories.

As well as four exhibition excellence categories, there are Taonga Māori, use of Te Reo, Visitor Experience and Public Programmes awards.

The winners will be announced at a gala event MC'd by Te Radar on Tuesday 23rd May during the annual Museums Aotearoa conference in Palmerston North.

Finalists in ServiceIQ 2017 New Zealand Museum Awards

Exhibition Excellence – Art
The Dowse Art Museum, Legacy: The Art of Rangi Hetet and Erenora Puketapu-Hetet
Te Tuhi, THE HIVE HUMS WITH MANY MINDS
Te Tuhi, Share/Cheat/Unite

Exhibition Excellence – Science and Technology
Locales / Stardome Observatory, Stardome Exhibition
MOTAT, The Innovators
Puke Ariki, BUGS! Our Backyard Heroes

Exhibition Excellence – Social History
Air Force Museum of New Zealand, 80 Years in 80 Stories
Auckland War Memorial Museum, Volume: Making Music in Aotearoa
Nelson Provincial Museum, Murder at Maungatapu
Toitu, Slice of Life: The World Famous Dunedin Study

Exhibition Excellence – Taonga Māori
Auckland War Memorial Museum, Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu
Nelson Provincial Museum, Mai | Hawaiiki Te Ahi Ka Roa
Tairāwhiti Museum, Ko Rongwhaakata
Waikato Museum, Te Whaanua Maarama: The Heavenly Bodies

Most Innovative use of Te Reo Māori
Auckland War Memorial Museum, Mana Aotūroa
MOTAT, The Innovators
Nelson Provincial Museum, 鸡年吉祥 | Good Luck for this Rooster Year | Ngā mihi nui mō tēnei tau o te - Tamaheihei
Waikato Museum, Te Whaanua Maarama: The Heavenly Bodies

ServiceIQ Museum Visitor Experience Award
Mokau Museum, ‘Save Mokau Museum’
Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Yayoi Kusama: The Obliteration Room – Open Fun Day: Spot Ya
MTG Hawkes Bay, Somebody's Darling: Stories from the Napier Cemetery 1855-1917

Most Innovative Public Programme
Christchurch Art Gallery, Good Vibrations
City Gallery Wellington, Bullet Time Education Programme
Sarjeant Gallery, The Tote Bag Project
Otago Museum, Yoga with the Butterflies

Museum Project Excellence Award
Pearson & Associates, Kaikoura Museum
The Suter, The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū Redevelopment Project

Museums Aotearoa is the professional association for New Zealand's public museums and art galleries and those who work in and support them.

ServiceIQ is the industry training organisation (ITO) for the aviation, hospitality, retail, travel, tourism, museums and wholesale sectors.

Image: Stardome Observatory

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