By Antony Philips 

In June 2023, after 40 years of service, Sherry Reynolds has retired from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga as Director Northern.

Many readers, especially those who have engaged with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga staff in the Northern Region, will be familiar with Sherry and her journey. 

Sherry's association with the heritage sector began in 1975 when she joined the then named Historic Places Trust as a dedicated member. Throughout the 1980s, Sherry played a pivotal role as Deputy Director at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, where she oversaw vital communications and development initiatives, as well as serving as the Museum's Liaison Officer. 

In recognition of her expertise and commitment, Sherry was appointed as a ministerial representative to the Historic Places Trust Board in 1983, eventually transitioning to an elected board member. In 1993, she made the decision to join the Trust's staff, embarking on a new chapter as the Highwic Curator. Her passion and talent propelled her to the role of Manager Trust Properties, where she skilfully oversaw the national portfolio of Historic Places Trust sites. 

In 1999, Sherry's exceptional contributions were acknowledged once again when she assumed the position of General Manager for the Northern Region, based in the Northern Regional Office in Auckland. Her leadership and dedication to preserving New Zealand's heritage culminated in her appointment as Director Northern in 2017 – a position she held until her recent retirement. 

Sherry’s considerable advice and expertise has been invaluable both within the organisation and in the wider heritage community. Her unwavering commitment to the preservation and promotion of New Zealand's heritage has left an indelible mark.  

Beyond her tenue with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, Sherry actively contributed to the sector in various capacities. She was a founding board member of ICOMOS NZ and held board positions at The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) and Museums Association of Aotearoa.   

To honour Sherry’s incredible legacy, a heartfelt farewell event was recently held at Highwic – the place where her journey with Historic Places Trust and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga began. 

We extend our sincere gratitude to Sherry for her immeasurable contributions and wish her a joyful and fulfilling retirement.