After 22 years at the museum, Mr Paul (59) took up a new job on September 17 as chief executive of a private sector centre of excellence for cancer treatment and research in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
The Otago Museum has since advertised widely, seeking a new "director-chief executive", and the Otago Museum Trust Board heard yesterday there had been considerable interest in the job.
Applications close on November 30.
It is understood Mr Paul, whose salary was $310,793, had accrued a considerable amount of sabbatical leave and some annual leave, and may also have had superannuation entitlements.
Responding to inquiries by the Otago Daily Times under the Local Government Official Information Act, board chairman Graham Crombie confirmed Mr Paul's salary had remained the same as last year.
Asked in writing what payments Mr Paul had received when he left, Mr Crombie said the board had decided not to release the information because it involved a confidential agreement.
"We have assessed whether the public interest in releasing this information makes it desirable to do so despite the obligation of confidence.
"This is a finely balanced assessment, and in this particular case, the Otago Museum Trust Board has decided that the interest in upholding the confidentiality agreement slightly outweighs the public interest in releasing the information."
The ODT has appealed to the Office of the Ombudsman, seeking the information.
It is understood Mr Paul received about $699,000 in contractual payments when he left.
Mr Crombie had previously said no "golden parachute" payments were made.
Approached again yesterday, he declined to comment on the amount paid.
Mr Paul's departure had simply "crystallised" entitlements to various payments which he would have received eventually even if he had remained in the job.
The board had "honoured" contactual obligations entered into by previous boards, Mr Crombie said.
