Official Information Request - Museum Director

Sent: Friday, 12 March 2021 12:17 pm

Subject: LGOIMA request - Museum Director

I refer to your email of 8 March 2021 under the auspices of LGOIMA requesting information regarding the Museum Director, and respond below as per your email:

1. What were the qualifications and experience of the previous incumbent of the position of Museum Director?

The qualifications of the previous Museum Director are withheld under section 7(2)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 'to protect the privacy of natural persons '

However, attached is the job description for the Museum Director at that time (2012). I can confirm that the previous Museum Director had the necessary qualifications and experience as indicated in the job description.

2. Which elected members were involved in revising the job description of the position, salary and key performance indicators prior to its advertisement?

No elected members were involved in deciding the job description/salary for the Museum Director position. Elected members are only involved in recruitment of the Chief Executive.

3. Can I please have a copy of the advertisement for the position of Museum Director that led to the appointment of the current incumbent.

Advertisement attached.

4. When, were and how often was this position advertised regionally, nationally and internationally?

The position was advertised via Seek, Museum Aotearoa, Mahi, Trade Me, Linked In, RLC's website, Local Government website.

Initially advertised 17/9/19 to 29/9/19 (successful candidate turned down roll as did not want to relocate to Rotorua).

Advertised again 9/1/20 to 26/1/20.

5. What were the selection criteria used to make this appointment?

Applicants' qualifications and experience was compared to those required as per the position description. Successful applicants that moved through to a second interview were asked to provide a presentation on their vision for the Museum.

6. What selection process was used to make this appointment, including participants?

There were 31 applicants, 12 male and 19 female.

9 candidates were short-listed with 1 withdrawing. 5 applicants went through a first interview process. 4 applicants went through a second interview/presentation process.

The recruitment panel were:

• Stewart Brown, Manager Arts and Culture and previous Director of Rotorua Museum
• Gina Rangi, Manahautū Māori
• Jocelyn Mikaere, Group Manager Operations
• RLC HR Advisor
• Representative from Whakatane Museum
• Chairman Pukenga Koeke Te Whare Taonga O Te Arawa
• Member of Pukenga Koeke Te Whare Taonga O Te Arawa

The Pukenga Koeke Te Whare Taonga O Te Arawa are elected kaumatua of Te Arawa and as such advise/support and direct the Museum on all things Te Arawa. This group was consulted with and participated in the recruitment process of the Director position.

7. How was this appointment announced to the public, including press releases and articles sponsored by the RLC.

The appointment was announced via a Council press release and articles in the Daily Post and Weekender.

Council press release - 2 July 2020

Daily Post article - 4 July 2020 (attached)

Weekender article - 10 July 2020 (attached)

8. What is the job description of the current incumbent, salary, and key performance indicators?

The position description is attached.

In providing our response regarding the salary of the current incumbent, we have had regard to various decisions of the Ombudsman in reviewing responses to requests for public sector salary information over a period of time, and the guidance provided by the Office of the Ombudsman in this respect. In providing our response, we have followed what we consider to be the now commonly accepted approach, that is:

• The salaries of chief executives (ie tier one roles) are released.
• Salaries of second tier management should be disclosed in financial bands.
• All other salaries (ie third tier or lower roles) should generally remain private with privacy interests afforded higher weighting than accountability interests.Following the above guidance, Council declines to provide the annual salary amount for the current Museum Director under section 7(2)(a) of the LGOIMA 'to protect the privacy of natural persons' as the role is third tier or lower.Below are the key performance indicators for the Arts and Culture activity (which includes the Museum) from the 2019/2020 Annual Report:

9. Why does the Museum need a Director when it is not operating and won't be for some years?

You have requested information/documentation not held by Council. For this reason this part of your request is declined under section 17(e) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 'that the document alleged to contain the information requested does not exist '.

I can, however, advise that the museum is programmed to re-open in the last quarter of 2022. The redevelopment of the fit-out and exhibition work has started with the appointment of a preferred exhibition development company. This work is expected to take at least 2-2.5 years in line with the opening. Set up will occur in stages over the rebuild period. The Museum Director will be involved in this work.

To give you further context on the role, being a Museum Director is not about managing the museum objects per se, it is about fundraising, budget and staff management, project management, working with the community and Te Arawa to establish a vision for the museum. The Museum Director has an existing team of technical experts that will continue to lead the care and protection of our collection, and develop the new exhibition programme (and the Museum Director's role is to support and lead that team, to bring out the best in them, and ensure they have the resources they need to do their jobs well).

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this response. Complaints can be sent by email to info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, by fax to (04) 471 2254, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.

Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests

Please note: Our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Rotorua Lakes Council website after they have been responded to, with requesters' personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about this please contact the Council on info@rotorualc.nz.

Regards

Craig TirianaKaihautū - Ohu Toihautū| Manager, Chief Executive's Office

Waea: 07 348 4199 | Waea pūkoro: 027 838 9961

Īmera: craig.tiriana@rotorualc.nz | Ipurangi: rotorualakescouncil.nz

Taunga: 1061 Haupapa St, Private Bag 3029, Rotorua Mail Centre, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand