Diplomatic choice to heal museum

Sir Don McKinnon will stand in at the helm until a new director is appointed. Photo / Kenny Rodger

A former Commonwealth Secretary-General with a reputation for peace-making, Sir Don McKinnon, has stepped into the breach to help Auckland Museum put a troubled period behind it.

Yesterday, he was appointed by the museum board as interim director until a permanent director is found.

Since Dr Vanda Vitali resigned in mid-March after a controversial two and a half years at the helm, prominent figures in the city's arts and culture world have called for the board to quit and be replaced with a commissioner.

However, the museum legislation states it must have a director.

Sir Don, who was Albany MP for 21 years and lives in semi-retirement on a South Auckland farmlet, said he was approached by the museum to help.

He starts tomorrow.

"First, I will meet everybody ... I want to sit down with all the key people in the museum and spend a lot of time listening to what they have to say and talking about all these reports I've been reading."

Sir Don said he was saddened to read about the troubled period of a museum he had admired since first visiting it in 1958, when his father, Major-General Walter McKinnon, attended an Anzac service at the cenotaph.

He was not going to pass judgment on what had gone wrong.

"In the last few months a lot of good thinking has gone into where the museum is going and I hope we can bring that all together so staff, friends of the museum and its volunteers can begin to see a way forward and they all want to be part of it."

Board chairman Dr William Randall said the museum's focus for the near term was developing a strong internal culture that would nurture staff and their talents.

Sir Don had a track record of bringing out the best in people.

"His steadying influence will be beneficial as Auckland moves towards a new governance structure."

Arts patron James Wallace, a life member of the Museum Institute, who with Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey wanted the board replaced with a commissioner because of its treatment of Dr Vitali, said he would reserve judgment to see how the interim appointment worked out.

"This is because I have the highest opinion of and admiration for Sir Don."

Auckland region ratepayers are levied $22 million a year for the museum.

Auckland City Mayor John Banks yesterday called Sir Don's appointment "an inspired choice" and reassuring.

"He will bring gravitas, experience and thoughtful strategic decision-making."

Dr Vitali left the museum by "mutual agreement" on April 9 after being at the centre of several controversies since her appointment in September 2007.

A year ago, the family of Sir Edmund Hillary threatened legal action against the museum to regain control of his diaries, writing and family photographs bequeathed to the institution. A court case was averted after the intervention of Prime Minister John Key's office.

Sir Don was supposed to deliver the annual Hillary Lecture in the museum in May last year but called it off because he did not want to draw attention to the rift. By October, the dispute was settled and after consulting Peter Hillary, Sir Edmund's son, he went ahead and gave the lecture.

Auckland Returned and Services Association president Gary Walker said Sir Don was good choice and veterans would appreciate his coming from a military tradition.

Sir Don McKinnon

* 21 years in Parliament, National Government Cabinet minister.

* 1998 nominated Nobel Peace Prize for brokering ceasefire between Bougainville and Papua New Guinea.

* Eight years as Commonwealth Secretary-General.

* 2008 made a member of the Order of New Zealand.

* 2009 appointed by the Queen a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.