Some art lovers may believe that much of the world revolves around arts and culture, but the Ministry for Culture and Heritage seems to be having trouble telling North from South.
A ministry contract setting out proposed terms and payment arrangements for the Otago Museum's administration of the Protected Objects Act recently arrived at the museum.
But the document's heading incorrectly stated the agreement was with the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
The correspondence was tabled at the latest Otago Museum Trust Board meeting last week.
The Otago Museum has long been seeking an increase in the $7000 which the ministry provides each year to fund the museum's administration of the protected objects legislation.
The museum is required to authenticate "protected objects", including Maori artefacts, which are brought in by members of the public.
Otago Museum managers have long complained that the funding is insufficient and that their concerns have not been properly addressed.
Ministry acting chief executive Bronwyn Dalley wrote to museum chief executive Shimrath Paul, noting that he had agreed for the museum to continue providing the required services, without prejudice to the museum's objections, until the end of the current financial year, on June 30.
But the accompanying contract was headed "Auckland War Memorial Museum".
Approached for comment, Clare Wilson, the museum director, exhibitions, development and planning, said the heading mix-up was unfortunate but was a minor matter.
