Executive committee

The INNZ executive committee represents a wide range of interpretive experience and background and is responsible for running the network, organising the workshops and annual AGM.

Your committee: Sue, Trevor, Talei, Julia, Stephen, Sandra, Sarah. (Absent: Janet)

Stephen Espiner (Chair)

I have spent 20 years working as a researcher and lecturer in parks, recreation and tourism at Lincoln University. One of my research interests is understanding visitor behaviour in natural resource recreation and tourism settings, including the effectiveness of natural hazards communication.

Sue Hill (Treasurer)

I’ve worked for Auckland Council Regional Parks for 14 years. I am Senior Ranger Partnerships, North – which sounds as if I have absolutely no business being in such exalted interpretation company! But our Ops Team shares the functions necessary to manage seven Regional Parks from Long Bay to Te Arai right up on the Auckland boundary. I was lucky – I won the interp portfolio and I’ve been learning stuff ever since.

Amy Johnston Bray (website)

I have worked in science communication and interpretation for 16 years in a variety of roles. These include exhibition concept development, show production, site interpretation, visitor services and project management. I have developed a number of major exhibitions for Questacon-the National Science and Technology Centre in Australia and managed the galleries and gallery staff at Science Alive. Since 2013 my role has been Interpretation and Exhibition Designer at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Michelle Sim (Social media)

I have worked in the museum sector for just over 10 years, and although my background has been in curatorial practice (hands-on collections work), my passion has always been communication. I love finding new ways to interpret museum collections and share the incredible stories they hold, something that I am lucky enough to be able to do in my current role as Communications Manager at the Air Force Museum in Christchurch.

Talei Langley (Memberships)

I have been Membership Services Manager for Museums Aotearoa for three years, as well as studying for my Masters in Museums and Heritage Studies at Victoria. I’m often doing projects at various museums and love seeing what everyone is doing and getting a taste of everything.

Janet Bathgate (Newsletter editor)

Following graduation from Ilam School of Fine Arts in the 1970s, I worked in the museum world before setting up as a freelance interpretation designer. In business since then – janetbathgate.com – I have travelled the world regularly to work and play. I remain confident that our small dot on the globe creates high quality interpretative projects, adapting well to new technologies and never losing sight of our core job: communicating the story.

Julia Scott (Secretary)

I have a background in graphic design and art history, and have previously worked at Auckland Zoo as an interpreter. I recently made the move to Wellington and have taken up the challenging role of Lead Ranger Visitor Experience at Zealandia eco-sanctuary.

Trevor Creagh

An ex-electrical engineer from New Plymouth, I learnt interpretation when explaining and videoing safe working practices as there are no second chances with electricity. For some years also I was the face for visitors at the Taranaki Aviation Transport and Technology Museum and am now part of Heritage Taranaki, and a Friend of Govett Brewster Art Gallery. My philosophy is never assume you know it all; visitors can provide incredible details.