Comments on Art Gallery directors having a fixed term

HARRY CUNDY 26-9-11: I can imagine there might be genuine and reasonable grounds for fixing a maximum term for directors. So, no, they could do it if they wanted.

OTN 25-9-11 right: ... but what does that all mean to the Govett-Brewster? Does this legislation prevent them having a five year maximum term for their directors?

COMMENT HARRY CUNDY 25-9-11: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2000/0024/latest/DLM59161.html?search=ts_act_employment+relations+act_resel&p=1#DLM59161

OTN 25-9-11: "An employer may not employ someone on a fixed-term agreement where the job is really a permanent one and the employer really wants to avoid having to go through a fair disciplinary or dismissal procedure if there are problems." - Biz.govt.nz

COMMENT FROM ANDREW CLIFFORD 24-09-11: That's an interesting clarification about the Employment Relations Act and fixed term positions. So how does that work for Artspace's 3-year directorship and Te Tuhi's 3-year term curatorship?

COMMENT FROM THE GOVETT-BREWSTER ART GALLERY 23-09-11: There is no mention in the Monica Brewster Trust Deed, which established the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, of the Gallery Director having a five-year tenure. An Advisory Committee (made up of Directors of other art galleries) was established in the 1970s and was responsible for selecting a Director for the Gallery. This Committee did have a practice of employing a Director for a term of five years. The New Plymouth District Council(NPDC), which is now responsible for employing the Gallery's Director, initially continued the practice of a five-year term. However, under the Employment Relations Act, a fixed term is not possible for a permanent position, and so it is not possible for NPDC to have in place a practice where the Gallery Director has a fixed tenure of five years. Former Director Greg Burke was employed for seven years.

focus

Te Papa Visitor & Market Research Unit
Focus Group Information Sheet

You have been invited to participate in a focus group discussion at Te Papa because of your professional knowledge and interest in New Zealand art. There will be eight participants present as well as Te Papa staff who will observe the discussions. Notes will be taken, and our conversations will be recorded for analysis.

While more information will be provided at the beginning of the evening, the aim of the discussion is for you and the others to explore & discuss some ideas and concepts Te Papa has about the possible re-development of the museum’s art exhibition spaces on level five. It could be a very interesting evening.

It will be held at Te Papa on Tuesday, 16 August 2011. Please be at the ‘black revolving ball’ inside Te Papa’s main entrance no later than 4.40 p.m. One of our staff will be waiting for you.

The discussion will run from 4:45 to 6.45 p.m.. If you arrive by car, please park in the Te Papa car park – we will provide a parking voucher to ensure you are not charged when leaving. Food and refreshments will also be provided, and a $50 Te Papa Store gift voucher will be provided as koha for your participation.

All research undertaken with people at Te Papa meets the requirements of the New Zealand Privacy Act 1993 and the ethical requirements contained in the New Zealand Market Research Society Guidelines.

• If you agree to participate, your participation is entirely voluntary. You can withdraw your agreement at any time for whatever reason.

• The information you provide will not be published in any form that willidentify you personally. If you agree to participate, you also agree to not disclose what other people said or did during the sessions. This protects everyone’s right to privacy. Te Papa staff are also required to abide by this privacy rule.

• The focus group discussions will be recorded (by hand and audio and/or video). They will be held in secure storage and will be destroyed upon completion of the final report. There will be observers present; these would be people who are responsible for exhibition development and delivery.

If you have any questions, or require additional information,
please contact the focus group facilitator.
Stephen Owen, Te Papa Visitor & Market Research Manager.
Tel: 04 381 7133. E-mail: stepheno@tepapa.govt.nz