Information released to the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union reveals that just 12 per cent of a $40,000 fashion collection owned by the Central Otago District Council has ever been on display, with the exhibited items only being displayed 14 per cent of the time (269 days) since the collection was initially purchased in 2013.

The collection of the late Eden Hore features 276 garments including lavender sequinned hotpants and a gold bikini bottom decorated with shells.

Only 35 items of the collection have been on display, some of which were only exhibited for a day or two.

Taxpayers’ Union researcher Michael Warren says, “Central Otago District Council should be focused on providing cost-effective core services to boost public confidence – quality roading, water, and waste services. Instead, the Council spent $40,000 on a fashion collection it has only ever partially displayed for a short period of time."

“Provided the Council’s $92,750 valuation of the collection is correct, the best course of action is to sell the collection or lease it out to private art galleries. Even if you do believe the Council should be getting into the high fashion business, there can’t possibly be value for ratepayers when the collection is locked away for most of the year."

Documents:

Original LGOIMA response
Report to Council recommending the purchase of the collection
Council's resolution to the purchase
PowerPoint presentation on the Eden Hore collection
Insurance valuation of the collection
Report to Council explaining the background to and results from the feasibility study
Feasibility study on the long term care, management and display of the Eden Hore fashion collection
Eden Hore collection catalogue

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