Explanation request denied

Neither an invitation to come along to a full meeting of South Wairarapa District Council or alternatively to provide councillors with "an accurate" written version of events that have damaged Aratoi art and history museum were taken up by Aratoi chairwoman Kristy McDonald this week.

Replying in writing declining both invitations, Ms McDonald told South Wairarapa mayor Adrienne Staples "board confidentiality" was one of the reasons she was not able provide a report to councillors.

Earlier this month South Wairarapa District Council had voted $25,000 to help fund Aratoi - the same amount as last financial year - but had made the decision to withhold the money until the end of the month on the grounds councillors needed to be reassured "serious unrest" within the board and management had been resolved.

Mrs Staples had then written to Ms McDonald conveying her council's disappointment over the way matters concerning the governance of Aratoi had been handled.

"There has obviously been serious unrest within the board and management of our regional museum, however we have not received any communication whatsoever from the board regarding this. "We have been left to make our own assumptions based on what is reported in the media," Mrs Staples said.

The removal of board member Paul Melser, who had been appointed by the electoral college, had been of most concern.

"The board's constitution may well have this provision but we feel it should be used in matters of extreme gravity such as misappropriation of funds or criminal activity, not disagreement over practice," she said.

Mrs Staples said the stress on staff and damage to the reputation of museum director Marcus Boroughs caused by "this whole affair"most concerned her councillors, due to "wild rumours circulating."

In reply Ms McDonald said the removal of Mr Melser was done in accordance with the deed and both the chairman of the electoral college Garry Daniell and his deputy were consulted throughout deliberations and immediately advised of the outcome.

She said it was "not appropriate" for her to set out detailed reasons that brought 75 per cent of the board to vote to oust Mr Melser but she could assure Mrs Staples the decision was not taken lightly.

The board was deeply concerned at damage caused to Aratoi "by the orchestrated media campaign of certain members of The Friends," Ms McDonald said.

Ms McDonald said she did not know what Mrs Staples was referring to when she spoke of "wild rumours" about the museum's director. As far as she was aware the board had not been responsible for any rumours.

Ms McDonald said the on-going activities of "certain member of The Friends and others" compromised the board's governance of Aratoi.

"Furthermore they create risk not only for Aratoi, its board and the director but also for those funding Aratoi."