Michael Houlihan, chief executive of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, is to leave his post this month to take up a 12 month role as the Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s special adviser on military heritage.
The Te Papa board has appointed Arapata Hakiwai as acting chief executive while it looks for a permanent appointment.
Since Houlihan joined the museum in 2010, it has undergone a major restructure, shifting to what is described in its forward plan as a “national collaborative network” with activites and outreach across the country.
Evan Williams, chair of the Te Papa board, said: “Michael’s visionary leadership and museological contribution has been exemplary and we thank him for it.
“He has made a significant contribution leading Te Papa, developing the new direction of art, and building the museum’s international and cultural diplomacy profile, with China in particular.
“He will continue to advise on Te Papa’s world war one commemoration programme, including the ANZAC exhibition that will open in 2015.”
When Houlihan took over the museum was running at a large operating deficit. The museum reported an operating deficit of over NZ$6m (approximately £3m) in its last two financial statements, and a capital transfer of NZ$6m in 2011/12 to bring the deficit down from over NZ$12m in previous years.
A briefing note to the culture minister in 2011 stated: “While Te Papa has been successful in consistently raising half of its own operating revenue… the long-term funding model is not sustainable. In addition, unlike most other government-funded organisations Te Papa is not fully funded for depreciation, resulting in a shortfall of between NZ$6-7m dollars each year.
“Moreover the economic situation has affected Te Papa’s ability to generate as much additional revenue as it needs.”
In 2011/12 the museum commissioned KPMG to undertake a review of its commercial practices and recommend ways to increase revenue and profitability. In its forward plan for 2013/14 to 2015/16 the museum aims to reduce the deficit to NZ$4.3m this year and move to a surplus of NZ$2.2m in 2016.
In a statement this month the museum said: “Te Papa has always operated at a deficit when depreciation on its buildings is included.
"The museum has been looking for ways to reduce this deficit and reduce reliance on its reserves to offset the deficit, and to achieve annual financial targets set by the board… Te Papa remains in a comfortable financial position and the museum maintains healthy reserves."
In a statement to New Zealand press, Williams said Houlihan’s departure was “an entirely separate matter” to his performance as chief executive.
Prior to joining Te Papa, Houlihan was director general of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, and was previously chief executive of the National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland.
Update
08.05.2014
This piece was updated to emphasise that the museum's operating deficit existed before Houlihan took over, and to include further information from Te Papa.
The Te Papa board has appointed Arapata Hakiwai as acting chief executive while it looks for a permanent appointment.
Since Houlihan joined the museum in 2010, it has undergone a major restructure, shifting to what is described in its forward plan as a “national collaborative network” with activites and outreach across the country.
Evan Williams, chair of the Te Papa board, said: “Michael’s visionary leadership and museological contribution has been exemplary and we thank him for it.
“He has made a significant contribution leading Te Papa, developing the new direction of art, and building the museum’s international and cultural diplomacy profile, with China in particular.
“He will continue to advise on Te Papa’s world war one commemoration programme, including the ANZAC exhibition that will open in 2015.”
When Houlihan took over the museum was running at a large operating deficit. The museum reported an operating deficit of over NZ$6m (approximately £3m) in its last two financial statements, and a capital transfer of NZ$6m in 2011/12 to bring the deficit down from over NZ$12m in previous years.
A briefing note to the culture minister in 2011 stated: “While Te Papa has been successful in consistently raising half of its own operating revenue… the long-term funding model is not sustainable. In addition, unlike most other government-funded organisations Te Papa is not fully funded for depreciation, resulting in a shortfall of between NZ$6-7m dollars each year.
“Moreover the economic situation has affected Te Papa’s ability to generate as much additional revenue as it needs.”
In 2011/12 the museum commissioned KPMG to undertake a review of its commercial practices and recommend ways to increase revenue and profitability. In its forward plan for 2013/14 to 2015/16 the museum aims to reduce the deficit to NZ$4.3m this year and move to a surplus of NZ$2.2m in 2016.
In a statement this month the museum said: “Te Papa has always operated at a deficit when depreciation on its buildings is included.
"The museum has been looking for ways to reduce this deficit and reduce reliance on its reserves to offset the deficit, and to achieve annual financial targets set by the board… Te Papa remains in a comfortable financial position and the museum maintains healthy reserves."
In a statement to New Zealand press, Williams said Houlihan’s departure was “an entirely separate matter” to his performance as chief executive.
Prior to joining Te Papa, Houlihan was director general of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, and was previously chief executive of the National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland.
Update
08.05.2014
This piece was updated to emphasise that the museum's operating deficit existed before Houlihan took over, and to include further information from Te Papa.
