The mayor of Christchurch, New Zealand, Phil Mauger, has suggested that the city’s Art Centre may need new trustees. The current trustees have requested nearly $2 million from the council to keep the heritage building operational. Mauger believes the trustees are not interpreting the governing Act of Parliament broadly enough and that the Art Centre lacks an asset management plan or sustainable operating model. He suggested the trustees should consider passing on costs such as rates and insurance to tenants.
However, the Art Centre’s director, Philip Aldridge, disagreed with the mayor’s assessment. He argued that the Art Centre is already run as a commercial entity and that the nature of heritage buildings makes it impossible to pass on all costs. Aldridge pointed out that the building is fully tenanted at market rates.
Former Christchurch mayor Garry Moore also commented on the situation, advising Mauger against criticising the trustees. Instead, Moore suggested that the mayor should focus on helping the council understand the technical issues involved and encouraging communication between all parties. He praised the trustees for overseeing the largest heritage building rebuild in New Zealand, delivered on time and within budget.
