Member of Mata Aho Collective Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi

The Postgraduate Diploma in Museum and Heritage studies provided me with practical career skills and experience. Conal, Annie and the teaching staff encouraged me within my fields of knowledge and worked hard to secure placements with suitable industry professionals. I was fortunate to have an internship with Puawai Cairns, the Contemporary Māori Curator at Te Papa Tongarewa. Later in my study year I interned with National Services Te Paerangi and Tryphena Cracknell from MTG Hawke's Bay, organizing a Kāhui Kaitiaki hui at Pukemokimoki Marae.

Since completing my study I have worked at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision as a Client Services Administrator. Here I sought permission from rights holders for the use of footage and I also hung out with Michelle Muagututi'a in the Documentation department. During my time at The Dowse Art Museum I was the Blumhardt/Creative New Zealand Curatorial Intern where I had the opportunity to curate a contemporary art exhibition. Nuku: Symbols of Mana was inspired by Nuku Tewhatewha which is the house at the Dowse. Since completing the internship I have continued to work at The Dowse as a researcher with their craft Wikipedia Project and assisting with public programmes. I am grateful for the support and encouragement I have received from the Museum and Heritage Studies team.

Recently I was the Exhibitions Officer at Pātaka Art + Museum. My job was to look after the Bottle Greek Gallery which is a community gallery and to facilitate Creative Communities Funding. I did the administration and installation for these spaces, and also helped out with main gallery exhibitions. I now focus on my art and work as an Independent Curator.

Bridget, and three other Māori women - Erena Baker, Sarah Hudson and Terri Te Tau, form  The Mata Aho Collective, . They produce large scale fiber based works, commenting on the complexity of Māori lives. The Collective have been invited to display their show Kiko Moana, 2017, at the Royal Academy of Arts Oceania exhibition in London, which opened in September 2018. Kiko Moana incorporates customary Māori sewing techniques to portray the tradition of innovation.

Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou.