KEY POINTS:
The restructuring of the Auckland War Memorial Museum will be raised with Parliament's Maori Affairs select committee, National MP Tau Henare says.
Mr Henare said iwi were "fidgety" about the restructuring, which the workers' union claims could see up to 97 people lose their jobs.
The museum will not say how many jobs are at risk, but says the restructuring will see the creation of an extra three full-time-equivalent positions.
"I'm worried there are a vast amount of Maori artefacts that need not only to be cared for but given due respect," Mr Henare said. "I don't want to stand in the way of the museum restructuring and moving forward because every organisation needs to do that.
"However, I will be raising it with the select committee, really just to give them a heads-up that this could be something we need to look at."
The union for a number of staff at the museum told the Herald that 66 permanent staff had been told their jobs had been "disestablished". It said a further 31 people on fixed-term contracts might not have their contracts renewed.
The museum said 28 roles were being disestablished and 21 would be advertised this weekend.
"The overall net effect on staffing numbers will be minimal. Under the old structure the annual plan allows for 165 full-time equivalents and in the new structure there will be 168 full-time equivalents," said chairman David Hill. He noted that in some instances five or six people could make up one full-time equivalent.
He said existing staff were welcome to apply for the new jobs.
A spokeswoman would not say how many people had been told to reapply for their jobs, or provide further details yesterday.
The Public Service Association confirmed its belief that up to 97 staff could lose their jobs.
Meanwhile, Auckland councils yesterday called for greater clarity on the issue. The councils, which collectively gave the museum $22 million this financial year, said they had received no information on the restructuring.
"I'm not going to slate the new management, because obviously they've got a job to do, but it seems to me it would make sense to consult with your key stakeholders when you are making big changes," said Franklin Mayor Mark Ball.
A spokesman for Manukau City Council said the matter had not been discussed by the museum's electoral college, which represents the seven Auckland councils.
"Our members will be very keen to see it come to the electoral college."
A spokesman for Rodney District Council said councillors there planned to investigate the restructuring further. "We haven't received any advice from the museum and we will look forward to being advised of what the management plans to do. We will be looking at the situation ourselves."
Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, however, said the museum and its director, Vanda Vitali, had his full support: "I believe she is terrific for the museum and is taking it in the right direction. It's the right move at the right time."
As a member of the board of Te Papa, he took a close interest in museum activities and it was up to Auckland's councils to protect their own investment.
The chairman of the museum's Taumata-a-Iwi, Martin Mariassouce, said the advisory group continued to provide advice to the trust board as in the Museum Act and "remained confident that the appropriate protection and care of taonga will continue at the museum".
"While restructuring is occurring, we have no reason to believe that there is a lessening to the commitment to Maori values and the aspirations of Maori."
* CASH GRANTS
Local government grants to Auckland War Memorial Museum in year to June 30, 2008
Auckland City Council $9.94m
Manukau City Council $4.3m
North Shore City Council $3.94m
Waitakere City Council $1.95m
Rodney District Council $1.1m
Papakura District Council $637,191
Franklin District Council $459,000
TOTAL $22,326,191
