National treasure Ann ‘MUSEUMS CHANGE LIVES’

A love of history and Rotorua put her unique exhibitions onto the world stage

- Kasia Jillings

Local legend and recent Queen's Service Medal recipient Ann Somerville's family often joke her epitaph should one day read, "She didn't muck around". And it would be a fitting tribute for the now 82-year-old who helped run Rotorua Museum for 20 years.

She's steadfastly humble about her contribution and was shocked to learn of the award, so much so, she initially believed it was a scam. But Ann says she always knew accepting the job as Rotorua Museum’s Public Programmes Manager in 1990 would be life-changing.

“I was given an opportunity and I just had to grab the ball and run with it. I knew this was my chance,” recalls Ann, who at the time was 50 and a solo mother-of-four working five jobs to make ends meet.

“I had no formal qualifications but I was lucky enough to get this job. It was a lifesaver that opened up a whole new world for my family and financially it made such a difference.” 

Ann initially faced some questions about her selection for the job, but it only fuelled her to prove how capable she was.

“I remember someone asking, ‘You? You?’ and I just thought, ‘I’ll show them!’” 

And over two decades, Ann proved herself time and again, helping transform the small, local museum into a national treasure with progressive exhibits that garnered plenty of attention.