The second in a series of public breakfast sessions in which guest speakers discuss the merits of a museum for Tauranga will be held on Wednesday March 7 in the Tauranga Club, Devonport Hotel from 7.15am- 8.45am.

The next presenter being hosted museum advocacy group Taonga Tauranga is Ken Gorbey, a New Zealander who is internationally recognised for his leadership and creativity as a museum professional.

He played a pivotal role in the development of Te Papa, has advised museums in Russia, Europe, Australia and the United States, and as the deputy president and project director of the Jewish Museum in Berlin, pulled together and made a success of a project in danger of failure because of internal and external dissension.

Ken will share his vision of the ever-broadening role of the museum in the modern world.

'We have had the data since at least the 1990s – many museums around the world, and especially those that fail to adapt and continue to pursue essentially 19th century models, are closing,” he says.

'But there are new museums based on partnership and commercial practise that are booming.”

Ken will address benchmark ‘museological' developments integrated within metropolitan and regional social/economic and cultural/heritage strategies.

Taonga Tauranga convenor Peter McKinlay says the group is delighted with the public response to its work in contributing to public debate on how the establishment of the museum can contribute to the broader social, cultural and economic development of Tauranga Moana.

'We think Ken's insights will play an important part in helping all of us realise the vision of Tauranga residents for a 21st century museum.”

There is a $20 koha per person, to cover costs. To attend the March 7 museum breakfast session, RSVP to peter@mdl.co.nz and pay your koha directly to Taonga Tauranga 38-9019-0379963-00.

This is a Kiwibank account set up to allow internet banking. Donations will also be gratefully received.