We are not toxic - trustees

Community Trust of Southland trustees have closed ranks around chairwoman Margot Hishon and denied the board is toxic.

‘‘The current board is cohesive and united, and most definitely not toxic,’’ eight of the trustees said in a statement yesterday.

They were responding to comments former trustee Neil Wyeth had made in an email to Associate Finance Minister Amy Adams’ office in which he claimed a ‘‘toxic atmosphere’’ existed on the trust board, while he expressed concerns over how Hishon and ‘‘two particular trustees’’ managed the issue surrounding former trust chief executive John Prendergast’s departure.

The trustees also expressed their support for Hishon. ‘‘The current trustees confirm we are unanimous in our support of, and confidence in, Mrs Margot Hishon as our chair,’’ they say.

They restated that Prendergast resigned on June 2; they acknowledged the contribution Prendergast had made and wished him well for the future.

‘‘We are unanimous in the direction we have set to ensure the Community Trust of Southland has responsible, communityfocussed governance, accountable management and prudent expenditure, investment and distribution of community funds.’’

They did not, however, address the circumstances surrounding Prendergast’s departure.

Prendergast, who was chief executive of the trust for nearly 20 years, resigned on June 2 and later said the current trustees had unanimously asked him to resign without giving him any reasons. Nine former trust chairs, deputy chairs and trustees subsequently raised serious concerns over how Prendergast was treated.