By KATHERINE HOBY
Auckland Museum has "rubbished" 14 years of goodwill and friendship built up between itself and a Maori performance group, its leader says.
Pounamu Ventures recently lost a $145,000-a-year contract to provide two Maori performances a day at the museum.
Pounamu was seeking an injunction in the High Court at Auckland to have the troupe reinstated before its final performance at the end of the month.
Justice Grant Hammond yesterday dismissed the application.
Ngapo Wehi, the driving force behind Pounamu, said the museum had discarded all the hard work and goodwill put in since the group started performing in 1986.
"I am obviously disappointed," he said.
"This is a big blow to my training scheme and my people. The museum clearly has no regard for history."
Mr Wehi said the decision was devastating for the 10 Pounamu employees.
The group had continued performing because members had not been given formal notice that their employment had been terminated, Mr Wehi said.
"It will be difficult for them to hold their heads up and perform now. It is a sad day for us."
He would consider his options before deciding whether to fight the museum.
Justice Hammond said the museum's concerns about Pounamu included administration issues, performers' behaviour and the revision of the museum's programme.
He agreed with counsel for the museum David Neutze that Pounamu had "a very weak case."
The tender has been awarded to another cultural group, Te Kawautikitiki Trust.
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