Aratoi deed rejig goes to board

A rejigged trust deed for Aratoi art and history museum is expected to be formally adopted at a meeting of the Aratoi Regional Trust Board on July 5.

Chairman Frazer Mailman said yesterday small alterations to the document that governs the operations of the museum were planned and had been circulated to all stakeholders for their comments, before being presented to the board meeting for ratification.

"We have signalled the changes and are awaiting their feedback," Mr Mailman said.

Aratoi has working partnerships and memorandums of understanding with funders and other parties, including iwi, Friends of Aratoi, Aratoi Foundation, Masterton Lands Trust and the three district councils in Wairarapa. Traditionally, the board has included a permanent Maori representative and board members are appointed by the electoral college.

Meanwhile, the board is continuing to consider the role of Aratoi director, vacated by Marcus Boroughs.

Robin Dunlop has been interim manager at the museum and has taken a look at staff roles, now recommending to the board that it appoints a director on a 20-hour week basis. The recommendation has been accepted by the board which, according to the latest newsletter, has pledged to keep a "watchful eye" on how a part-time director's role would impact on the functioning and development of Aratoi.