16 October 2024
Statement on New Zealand String Quartet Trust, Helene Pohl and Rolf Gjelsten
Following Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) raising serious issues of concern, the New Zealand String Quartet Trust Board initiated an independent employment investigation into the past conduct of Helene Pohl and Rolf Gjelsten. Helene and Rolf have offered their resignations, which the Board has accepted.
Helene and Rolf have acknowledged that, in the course of their teaching at VUW's Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music, they failed to manage serious and sensitive issues appropriately, in particular relating to conflict of interest matters, and that their conduct fell short of maintaining the values of the New Zealand String Quartet Trust and VUW's Staff Conduct Policy.
All parties want to acknowledge and apologise to those affected by these issues. As a result of these issues, Helene and Rolf felt it was in the best interests of everyone involved that they resigned with immediate effect. Their 30 years’ service with the Quartet is acknowledged.
The New Zealand String Quartet Trust remains committed to its vision of reimagining what a string quartet can be for all New Zealanders in the 21st Century. Where possible the Quartet intends to fulfil its remaining 2024 engagements and to present its 2025 season with the addition of special guest artists as it commences the recruitment process for new permanent players to join the ensemble.
Contact: Jeremy Johnson, Chair, New Zealand String Quartet Trust