Leali’ifano Dr Albert L Refiti was made a Fellow of the Auckland War Memorial Museum at a special ceremony held at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum.
The Museum Medals recognise excellence and innovation in the study of cultural and natural heritage. The 2021 recipients have made major contributions to their areas of study and the creation of new knowledge, or in service to the Museum.
Leali’ifano is a University of Auckland graduate of architecture. He was part of the design team for the Auckland Museum refurbishment in 1994/1995 and has been an expert consultant to the Museum on design for Pacific material culture since 1999.
Winners of the Museum Medals awarded in 2021 were:
MARGUERITE DURLING – Associate Emerita of Auckland War Memorial Museum
CHANEL CLARKE – Associate Emerita of Auckland War Memorial Museum
SUE NEUREUTER – Companion of Auckland War Memorial Museum
ROD NEUREUTER – Companion of Auckland War Memorial Museum
ZOE NEUREUTER – Companion of Auckland War Memorial Museum
LEALI’IFANO DR ALBERT L REFITI – Fellow of Auckland War Memorial Museum
Chief Executive of Auckland Museum Dr. David Gaimster says, “ the Museum Medals recognise individuals who have delivered excellence in the field of scholarship, academic achievement, research, service to the museum community or the generation of new knowledge drawing from the Museum’s collections or research resources.”
The event included a special address from guest speaker Professor Toeolesulusulu Damon Salesa, Vice-Chancellor of Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
