Constitutions etc.

Most member clubs of the NANZRMC are setup as incorporated societies.

The New Zealand Law governing incorporated societies was recently updated (Incorporated Societies Act 2022) and as a result of that all NZ incorporated societies need to update their constitution and re-register as an incorporated society by 5 April 2026. Failure to do so by then would result in becoming de-registered as an incorporated society.

There is a lot of information on the requirements and the process to re-register here: https://is-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/help-centre/reregistering/

There is also a constitution builder tool available here. This helps generate a new constitution that is compliant with the 2022 Act (and with the Charities Act). It does however generate rather verbose documents.

Some member clubs have already gone through this process, and are happy to share their new constitutions with other member clubs. These constitutions are below.

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A note re registering as a charitable entity.

Some member clubs have registered as a charitable entity in NZ.
There are a number of benefits to doing so, two of which are:
1. it makes it a bit easier to succeed in receiving charitable grants and donations when you are fund raising; and
2. you don't have to pay tax or file annual tax returns. 

You do have to fill in a more detailed 'unified" annual return as a registered charitable entity, and record and report on your finances in a specific reporting format.

Everything you need to know about becoming and operating as a charitable entity is set out here: https://www.charities.govt.nz/

A prerequisite of becoming a charitable entity is that your rules (constitution) include you charitable purposes and include other information as required. More on that is available here: https://www.charities.govt.nz/ready-to-register/need-to-know-to-register/charitable-purpose-and-your-rules/

Because all NZ incorporated societies have to update their constitution now just to stay as an incorporated society, this makes it an optimal time to consider whether you also want to take the extra step to become a charitable entity, and if so make the additional changes to your constitution.

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The NANZRMC committee is able to provide general advice to member clubs as they go through this reregistering process. Email us if you have any specific questions - nanzrmc@gmail.com.

Another avenue to access collective-wisdom on this matter is to join in monthly NANZRMC committee meetings where questions can be discussed with the delegates. These are usually held at 7pm on the last Sunday of each month.

You can ask your club delegate for access details to the next monthly NANZRMC committee meeting.