Miramar Golf Club Governance

Kia ora koutou,    There have been a few discussions and concerns over the manner in which the Miramar Golf Club is currently governed. The behaviour and attitude demonstrated by the current board members is considered by some to bringing the club into disrepute.

I am writing the piece to highlight areas of concern that have been discussed with me.

1. A Board member allegedly approached another Board member and advised the board member to support the Boards position or any indemnity insurance that board member has maybe removed.
2. The above threatened Board member is now subject to a disciplinary hearing around inappropriate behaviour. Bought by compliant members of the Board.
3. The Chairman of the club has failed on numerous occasions to acknowledge and declare a conflict of interest he has with every decision he makes on the club development. He is a Trustee on Kiwi Golf Development Foundation, this Foundation will benefit substantially from a par three and driving range at Miramar. These items are the controversial pieces of the “masterplan” to develop the club. Photos on the Foundation website will confirm their association with the Golf Club.
4. Financial reporting and under reporting of decisions is endemic, there is a lack of substantial reporting in a timely manner.
5. Letters of complaint are sent to the Board and in some cases where apologies have been sought they are not given but ignored.
6. The behaviour of the Club General Manager is appalling and continues unabated. This includes ridiculing members, aggressive behaviours towards those who don’t support “his” plan. Manipulation of staff, this is clearly evident through a complaint made against a member for comments made in a local pub.

Behaviour expectations and rules 48 to 50 are applicable to all members of the club, the Board seem to be immune from both the expectations and rules. The principles of good governance including accountability rule of law and transparency are missing from the club.

These are some of the concerns members have spoken to me about and have asked if I could highlight, I have some first hand knowledge of some but not all of these allegations.

Mike Hinton