The Elms office manager has been made redundant in changes that will see one of New Zealand's most historic places managed entirely by volunteers.
Jenny Hughes' job finishes at the end of May, ending a two-and-a-half year association with The Elms, in which she ran the office and undertook various duties, including co-ordinating visits by community organisations, and school and cruise ship groups.
She was the only paid employee of the Elms Foundation and her redundancy has created concern among volunteers who respected her abilities and wonder who would be prepared to plug the gap without payment.
When contacted, Mrs Hughes declined to comment.
Elms trustee Des Ferrow said the decision had created a little bit of turbulent water among the volunteer guides who knew her well. He said the move was to tighten fiscal control because the foundation did not like seeing 80 per cent of the income earned by the guides going out on one salary.