Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday hit out at the National Museum’s Te Papa which she said would not get government
funding unless it improved its jumbled and incoherent exhibitions.
The Prime Minister was commenting after recent government briefing papers revealed that Te Papa’s finances were
precarious and the Museum needed an extra $11 million a year on top of the $18 million it already recieves annually.
Calling the asked for increase “huge”, Ms Clark said the museum would have to resolve how it displayed the National Art
Collection among other issues before the government would consider increasing its funding.
Te Papa does not have the space to display all of the National Art Collection and the existing display has been the
subject of strong criticism by artists and academics.
She also criticised the National Government for not informing the Labour before the election of Te Papa’s request for
extra funding, saying National May have breached the Fiscal Responsibility Act.