Cracks show in museum organisation as director departs

Serious cracks have opened up in the governance of the Whanganui Regional Museum.
The museum's director, Wallis Barnicoat, has left after just 18 months.
The Chronicle understands she was forced to leave, given a substantial financial payment and finished work at the museum last Friday.
Ms Barnicoat could not be contacted by the Chronicle for comment yesterday.
Board member Dean Hyde has also quit and his resignation was effective immediately on Friday.
However, Mr Hyde told the Chronicle yesterday he had not been happy for some time with the leadership of the museum under board chair Penny Robinson.

"I needed to leave," he said.
The Chronicle also understands there had been issues between Ms Barnicoat and Mrs Robinson for quite some time over financial management of the museum.
This year those differences between the two escalated to the extent that Ms Barnicoat lodged a personal grievance claim against the board.
However, Mrs Robinson said yesterday she could not possibly comment.
In the meantime a new acting business manager, trust board member Debra Elgar, has been appointed, she said.
In an email, Mrs Robinson wished Ms Barnicoat well in her future endeavours.
"The board has appreciated Wallis's abilities in highlighting the importance of the museum within the community,"she said.
Ms Barnicoat had only recently initiated a digitisation project to make the museum's archives accessible online and generated a new approach to future exhibitions.
"The first of these, Colour, opens this weekend in conjunction with the Sarjeant Gallery."
Mrs Robinson says Wallis's passion was highlighted in her efforts to bring groups together.
"Her contemporary approach offers a strengthened base as the Museum continues expanding its partnerships."
Governance of the museum is structured with two houses - the civic house and the iwi house, headed by Rangi Wills.
The Wanganui District Council is the primary funder of the museum and provided the museum with $828,000 for the 2009/2010 year.
The museum needs $1.1 million to run its operation with 20 part- and full-time staff.
Mayor Michael Laws said yesterday the council had been aware of difficulties at the museum for some time.
"It's certainly been been no secret. It was on the agenda at the council meeting last week."
Mr Laws said he was concerned about the future of the museum - "particularly its funding".
"I am also concerned that the acting director is a board member. This is an issue of governance versus management."
The trust board is presently looking for two new members and nominations close on June 2, for "candidates with marketing and business experience".