The Auckland War Memorial Museum has appointed Sir Don McKinnon as interim director, temporarily filling the void left by his controversial predecessor.
Vanda Vitali resigned in March after a tenure notable for a number of high-profile disputes and restructuring at the institution.
Her departure divided opinion, with some people calling for the museum's board to be sacked.
Sir Don, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, will start next week, while work continues to find a permanent director.
The chairman of the Museum Trust Board, William Randall, says that Sir Don has a track record of bringing out the best in people, and that his steadying influence will be beneficial as the museum moves towards a new governance structure.
