Police called in over Motat confrontation
Suspended volunteer claims guardian of aviation heritage is ‘in trouble’. Rachel Grunwell reports.
A decorated serviceman has been banned from volunteering at New Zealand’s largest transport museum after he publicly lambasted it as a ‘‘spectacular failure’’.
Former RAF officer Jonathan Pote had survived being shot at during a distinguished military career, but fell foul of Motat (Museum of Transport and Technology) management after criticising the way the museum was being run.
In an article in Aviation News he despaired at what he saw as a lack of care for rare artefacts, and raised concerns over low museum visitor numbers at a time when staff numbers and costs were soaring. Pote said the museum had been converted into ‘‘a theme park for youngsters’’.
He also raised concerns that items of historical importance had not been acquired – using Motat’s initials to describe it as ‘‘Missed Opportunities Time After Time’’.
Pote said: ‘‘I want people to know the museum is in trouble and I’m digging my heels in to tell people.’’
Motat has been plagued by a string of troubles in recent years. Two years ago the deputy board chairman resigned for reasons including his despair at the ‘‘dreadful’’ treatment of volunteers.
A 2012 report was leaked which revealed the museum was ‘‘dysfunctional’’, riven with ‘‘childish’’ infighting and there were questions over the poor quality of some exhibits. The report noted that ratepayers should be angry about how millions in public money was being spent.
Motat chief executive Michael Frawley said he could not comment on the suspension as ‘‘this was a personal matter between Pote and the museum’’.
But documents show Motat’s hierarchy felt his article could damage the museum’s reputation.
The dispute erupted last Sunday when police removed Pote from a function to thank museum volunteers.
Pote said Frawley had repeatedly told him to ‘‘get out’’, and when he refused, police ‘‘politely chucked me out’’ in front of fellow volunteers – some of whom photographed the drama. Pote said six volunteers walked out in protest.
Frawley said he told the venue that Pote ‘‘wasn’t invited’’, but it was then the venue’s decision to remove him.
He said Pote was not welcome at the function because he was ‘‘a suspended volunteer’’.
Pote, who said he was held in high regard as an aviation historian, has been a Motat volunteer for more then a decade.
Frawley said not everyone was happy about the museum’s new strategy of moving away from ‘‘a transport focus’’. He said he was trying to implement a new approach, aimed at making the venue more exciting and more technology driven.
Visitor numbers were expected to reach 300,000 by the end of June, which was an increase on the past two years.
Staffing costs had increased, and more staff had been employed, but this was in line with the experience of other museums and the reasons were outlined in the annual plan, he said.
Pote is a former doctor and pilot with the RAF who has been honoured for active service in Saudi Arabia, Montenegro and Croatia. He has been shot at, escaped a missile attack, and been honoured for saving lives.
He moved to New Zealand in 2003 after falling in love with a Kiwi.