MUSEUMS AOTEAROA BOARD ABRUPTLY QUITS,
The entire board of Museums Aotearoa has abruptly quit after concerns about its governance and management.
The organisation’s remaining executive director, Phillipa Tocker, is refusing to comment on the situation, despite being implicated in a report that the board resigned over ‘‘fundamental disagreements’’ with her.
Museums Aotearoa is a Wellington-based national organisation that advocates for and supports museums, art galleries, heritage properties and their employees around New Zealand. It offers surveys, networking, an annual conference and awards. It is funded almost entirely by membership fees, and its board is made up of museum professionals.
Late on Friday, April 9, Louisa Hormann, a board member of nearly two years, sent an email to members of the GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives and museums) sector announcing the resignation of all members of the board.
‘‘I regret to inform you that all Museums Aotearoa board members have unanimously agreed to resign from their positions,’’ she wrote in the email, which has been obtained by Stuff.
‘‘It is my duty to advise you that as of Friday the 9th of April I have also handed in my resignation. The decision to step down is not one that any of us have made lightly.
‘‘Due to ongoing concerns about the governance and management of Museums Aotearoa, board members are united in their resolve that this is the right course of action.’’
She said the board passed several resolutions to meet its responsibilities of succession, and to minimise impact on its membership.
In the interim period, Tocker had been delegated various powers to call an annual meeting, and ‘‘enable a smooth transition’’ to another board.
Hormann had been representing the Emerging Museum Professionals NZ network (EMPNZ) as its nominee on the board.
‘‘I will be supporting the EMPNZ Committee as we transition from this board, including contingency planning in the event that [Museums Aotearoa] winds down, and to ensure a smooth handover for whomever takes over my role,’’ she said in the email.