STARDOME APPOINTS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE KELLY BEWLEY
Stardome Observatory & Planetarium is thrilled to announce the appointment of Kelly Bewley as its new Chief Executive, marking the beginning of an exciting new era for the organisation.
Kelly has been a key member of the Stardome team since 2021, when he joined as Chief Operating Officer, and has served as Acting Chief Executive since January 2025.
A creative leader with deep roots in the cultural sector, Kelly brings over two decades of experience in museums and exhibitions, along with a deep commitment to mātauranga Māori and a unique artistic sensibility shaped by his background as an artist.
“Kelly will bring to the role energy, empathy, and focus,” says Stardome Board Chair Richard Sorrenson. “He understands the opportunities and challenges ahead and is passionate about connecting people with the cosmos through both science and culture. I know he looks forward to working collaboratively within Auckland’s dynamic cultural sector.”
Kelly spent 17 years at Auckland War Memorial Museum, working in various roles including Exhibition Technician, Associate Project Manager, Project Manager, and Manager of Project Managers. In that time, he led major gallery redevelopments and exhibitions, including the multi-year Ko Tawa project, which took taonga Māori into museums, marae and communities across Aotearoa and Australia.
He is of Ngāti Kahungunu descent, with strong ties to Te Tai Rāwhiti, and says it was his early experience working with taonga Māori at Auckland Museum that shaped his understanding of museums as places of cultural responsibility and storytelling.
He also brings international experience from his time in Melbourne’s Museum sector, where he contributed to the relocation of major ethnographic collections while also contracting for a conservator and a frame restorer, gaining hands-on experience in the craft of conservation and restoration.
Since joining Stardome in 2021, Kelly has played a central role in shaping the future of the organisation—leading a major gallery renewal project, strengthening operational systems, and supporting greater integration of mātauranga Māori into Stardome’s offerings.
“It’s been quite a journey shaped by art, whānau, culture, community, and collaboration. I’m proud to lead Stardome forward and to continue building on the work we’ve done together. I’m excited to work with our board and team to ensure Stardome remains a vibrant, relevant, and inspiring place. Now and into the future,” says Kelly.
Originally from Taranaki and now based in Avondale, Kelly is a proud father of three. On weekends, you might find him op-shopping with his daughters or skateboarding with his son.