Museum ‘Gone Backwards’ Under Council, Historical Society Claims

Sunday, 16 June 2024, 7:05 pm
Article: Maia Hart - Local Democracy Reporter

June 14

The Marlborough Historical Society has asked for the management of the region’s museum to be handed over, arguing it has “gone backwards” under the council’s watch.

The trust has proposed a “reset” with the council. Along with taking over the museum’s management, the trust has asked the council to buy the museum building it owns for $5m, which the trust would use to invest in heritage in the region.

The museum closed when the council took it over on July 1, 2023, and it did not reopen until December, after a new manager was appointed.

Marlborough Historical Society president Paul Davidson and treasurer Dale Webb made the hand-over request at a hearing for the council’s long-term plan on Tuesday.

“On July 1 last year, council took our keys, locked us out and occupied our museum,” Davidson told the council.

“Twelve months later, little has changed, and many of our fears have been realised.”

He pointed to their annual plan submission last year on the takeover.

“We spoke of our concerns about the plan to wind up the heritage trust, make all museum staff redundant and appoint new council employees to operate the museum,” he said.

He said they were “particularly sad” the museum public open hours had changed which, according to Davidson, was now open 21 hours a week.

“This is, astoundingly, exactly half the 42 hours the society and trust kept it open for the past 30 years.

“We believe the visitor experience has markedly deteriorated.

“What used to be the public research room is now a locked staff office, and the official museum website is embarrassingly completely out of date.

“Sadly, it is clear to us that the museum has gone backwards.”

He said it was “particularly troubling” the society, as the owner of the museum building, had lost its asset and not received “a dollar in rent or other compensation”.

“It isn’t fair, it isn’t just, it’s hard on the ageing members of the society, it’s disrespectful to the current executive, and it’s an insult to the legacy and memory of the many past volunteers who built what we have today.”

Webb said despite negotiations proceeding regarding a possible lease, the “numbers and conditions” being talked about were not likely to please its members.

“Normally local councils provide the funds and expertise to build, own and maintain the bricks and mortar for community purposes, whilst community groups, trusts or boards provide much of the expertise to run them."

He said a reset would give the society time to negotiate a “careful and comprehensive” agreement and time for the council to add $5 million to its capital expenditure budget.

During long-term plan hearings, councillors were able to ask questions that allowed them to clarify the request, but could not enter into debate.

Blenheim ward councillor Jamie Arbuckle asked the society what would happen if they got the $5m.

Webb clarified “appropriate investments” would be made and this would then be used to fund various projects, and assets, like Cob Cottage in Riverlands, Tuamarina Church and the Beavertown replica village.

Deputy mayor David Croad asked the society what they feared by “letting go” people who, in their own submission, had said it had an ageing membership.

Webb said the group had passion and the last 12 months had made it clear as to the sort of “passion that council puts into running heritage”.

“Let's let both sides do their thing that they do well.

“You provide the infrastructure, you provide the finance. And the society will provide the enthusiasm and the passion for heritage and history.”

Deliberations on the long-term plan would take place on June 24, although the mayor had warned there was little wriggle room for funding if they wanted to maintain the current draft rates rise at 12.58%.

That figure did not include Sounds road repairs, which would bring the total to 12.95%.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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