Transcript
The problems within Tautai came to a head last month with a board reshuffle and the appointment of a new director.
But critical members like Ema Tavola say accusations of systemic bullying and silencing of victims still have not been addressed.
"It wasn't encouraged to speak up. And also I think the nature of this power abuse is it's very belittling, you go away, you feel so belittled it diminishes your agency to speak up"
It is alleged young female staff were bullied within the trust over the past decade by Christina Jeffery, a former general manager who stood down in February.
Ms Jeffery denies the allegations and all wrongdoing.
Two former Tautai staff, requesting anonymity, say over the past year they and one other employee left because of her treatment of them.
Personal grievances payments over Ms Jeffery's actions have been made to at least two former staff by Tautai.
The chair of Tautai's board, Janet Lilo, says she won't comment on employment matters but issued a statement.
"The Board is confident that there are no substantive issues of concern. A review of some of its systems and processes have been signaled in the current strategic plan as part of the Board's focus on the next stage of Tautai's work."
Ms Lilo is one of just two members of the previous board to remain after the election earlier this month, where there were calls for the entire board to stand down, a forensic audit and organisational restructure.
Ms Tavola says the changes don't go far enough.
"Nothing about the new board, or a new appointed general manager, director gives me the trust that things will be any different or the culture will change because there has been such a pushback at every single step."
Tautai receives around $NZ400,000 in funding each year from Creative New Zealand.
A spokesperson for the national arts agency says it's aware of internal concerns but is satisfied with Tautai and its financials.
Members and former staff say Ms Jeffery's behaviour was raised with the board early last year but no changes were made until her exit in February.
That her husband Colin Jeffery remains as the trust's treasurer has raised ire with members.
One former employee who signed a non-disclosure agreement says the grievance payments to them were made from a personal account of the Jefferys.
Ms Jeffery says sometimes Tautai payments are made from a jointly-held account with her husband to ensure people are paid on time and that later they are reimbursed by the trust.
Members, including Ms Tavola, say the grievance payments remain hidden from Tautai members and are listed under "expenses" on the trust's accounts.
"This is a huge outward conflict of interest and it's nepotism and it's all these things that we know a Pacific arts trust, Pacific organisation, are hauled over the coals about."
Ms Tavola says the concerns raised within Tautai have built momentum as other women in the trust have come forward with their stories, picking up on a global trend.
"What has happened from America and what has rippled out through the world through these very high profile cases is that ability for women to be able to be heard and believed and to stand up and what has silenced people is the shame, the shame and embarrassment."
In Tautai's case, several sources told RNZ Pacifc there has also been concern at the influential role Palagi have played in the indigenous arts organisation.
