Big welcome for trust boss
The Waitangi National Trust's first new chief executive in a decade has been welcomed to his new home.
Greg McManus, who has been credited with turning Rotorua's once-stuffy museum into a leading tourist attraction, was given a full Ngapuhi welcome at the Treaty Grounds.
He was accompanied by his wife, Liz, and a large delegation of Te Arawa representatives, colleagues and friends from Rotorua.
Mr McManus was visibly moved by the force and enthusiasm of the singing from staff and other tangata whenua, and complimented tamariki whose voices led the waiata in the Whare Runanga.
"I'm really thrilled to be here, and I'm honoured and humbled by the welcome from Ngapuhi today.
"I promised my children I wouldn't cry today, because I cried at my farewell, but I feel really warmly welcomed by you," he said.
Mr McManus said he was looking forward to working with Northland's tourism sector and felt honoured to be at Waitangi.
"We come with open hearts and really look forward to being part of your community."
Waitangi National Trust Board chairman Pita Paraone said Mr McManus' achievements at Rotorua Museum, which he turned into a leading tourist attraction, were testament to what his appointment would mean for Waitangi and Northland.
Mr McManus was the director of Rotorua Museum of Art and History from 1997-2012.
He led a $23 million transformation of the museum, returning the bathhouse building to its original 1905 specifications and enhancing exhibition spaces and visitor experience. The project was finished in September 2011.
