UK university pulls plug on NZ centre

The Centre for New Zealand Studies in Britain may be forced to close its doors after only two and a half years.

The centre - the largest overseas research institute for New Zealand art and culture - faces being closed because the heads of Birkbeck College in London, where it is based, say they cannot afford the cost of running it.

It offers weekly Maori language classes, regular film screenings and accommodated six PhD students.

Prominent writers, including C.K. Stead, Elizabeth Smither and Vincent O'Sullivan, have visited.

The threat of closing the centre has alarmed New Zealand academics and artists.

An online petition has attracted more than 1000 signatures from scholars, artists and students in New Zealand and abroad deploring the closure.

Paul Burns, an expatriate in London who is behind the petition, described the move as an act of cultural vandalism.

"The closure of the centre will deprive researchers, academics, writers and the creative and cultural industries of a wonderful resource base and forum."

Playwright Roger Hall, writer Fiona Kidman and comedian Oscar Kightley are among those who have pledged online support.

The centre has been temporarily closed while Birkbeck College reviews its activities and funding.

But it is understood the long-term future looks doubtful.

Professor David Latchman, Master of Birkbeck, told Mr Burns the centre was established as a pilot programme.

He said the college could not make a long-term financial commitment.

In an email to Mr Burns he said he hoped the centre's activities could continue - but said the college was "stepping back from involvement".

New Zealand poet Fleur Adcock implored others to fight "this scandalous decision" on the Times Higher Education website.

"It is heartbreaking to see the wonderfully rich and varied programme of events brought to such a brutal conclusion," she wrote.

The centre has held 114 events, five conferences and three festivals since it opened in April 2007.

Witi Ihimaera told the Weekend Herald: "It's an amazing success story and to cut it off at its knees has been crap."

He said the centre had been instrumental in promoting New Zealand culture, art and architecture throughout Europe.

A spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the Government hoped the centre would remain open.