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RNZRSA Modernisation Programme

Stage One: Update to Constitution

This page provides updates on the process for updating the RNZRSA's Constitution - and the Model Constitution for RSA Associations.

This page will be regularly updated as the Constitution Working Group makes information available - so please keep checking back.

Page last updated: 4 September 2024

Background

Support to New Zealand's veterans of military service and their whānau remains the core purpose of the organisation. A workshop held at the RNZRSA's National Council in 2022 identified the need to change how we deliver that support to better meet the needs of future generations, and ensure the RSA movement has a sustainable future.

Another key driver for constitutional change is legislative compliance. To meet the Incorporated Societies deadline for re-registration of Societies of 5 April 2026, RNZRSA must include any organisation changes in both the RNZRSA Constitution and the Model Constitution for RSA Associations. 

A Constitution Working Group was formed to look at the options available to address the issues that have been identified.

In late February 2024, a second National Council Workshop was held to canvass ideas from Associations on what the future governance model for the RNZRSA should look like. 

The feedback from the Workshop was collated, analysed and incorporated into the Draft Constitution in early July (see draft and changes document at the bottom of this page).

From the start of July through to the end of August all Associations, Affiliates and individuals were able to submit written feedback on the draft RNZRSA Constitution. 

Consultation, Engagement and Feedback

The RNZRSA Constitution Draft is a comprehensive legal document, and the Constitution Working Group is committed to making the process as easy as possible for everyone to understand the proposed changes and implications.

During July and August, a series of 21 online and in-person information sessions were held for the RNZRSA membership on the draft Constitution document to consult to get feedback on the draft changes (see presentations at the bottom of this page). More than 378 people engaged in the process and the CWG received excellent engagement and feedback.

119 written submissions were sent via review@rsa.org.nz from 91 Member Associations.

As well as submissions, in September and October in-person and online workshops with representatives from a variety of RSA's (small, large, different models), support services, districts, the Presidents' Forum and the RNZRSA Board were held to test elements of the redrafted constitution.

All of this feedback has informed the final draft of the RNZRSA Constitution.

Key Updates

To recap, the updates you will see in the redrafted RNZRSA Constitution before the end of this year are listed below under themed sections:

Kaumātua, Core Purpose and Powers
  • Te Reo - name is now Te Ratonga Kahui Morehu a Tu o Aotearoa
  • Kaumātua role - after advice from Miki Apiti and Ross Himona, to be Kaumātua for all RNZRSA. Agreement to lead a review on inclusion of Te Tiriti principles.
  • National President - will sit on the Presidents' Forum, along with a clear statement defining the role of the NP and the essence and mana of the position. The National President will be on the Board.
  • Board Chair - Will have attendance rights at meetings of the Presidents' Forum.
  • Powers - They have been widely accepted by the Presidents' Forum and now bettr understood.
  • Still under discussion - Veteran is the general term.
  • Object, purposes and principles - veteran poverty and community Section 3.1(i) widely accepted by the Presidents' Forum.

Structure, Voting, AGM
  • Structure - roles explained more explicity; allows for ex-officio positions; District Representatives to remain District Presidents.
  • Terms of appointment - Same for Board and Forum. Three years plus three years and possible further three years in exceptional circumstances.
  • AGM/SGM Meetings - Notice of motion/Remit process tidied up, ambiguity removed, dates and process for submissions made clearer.
  • Voting
    • First-past-the-post National Presidents and National Vice Presidents
    • One vote for individuals
    • Two votes per RSA
    • One vote per Affiliate
    • Accepted by Presidents' Forum including Affiliates' Representative
    • Methods of voting - three ways
  • Membership Fees
    • Currently calculated as a per capita fee - capitation

General
  • Definitions - specific section added to give clarity eg: Members of members, National Poppy Trust.
  • Difficult to understand sections - identified and handed back to lawyers for redrafting. Eg: Section 5 Role of National Council.
  • Inclusion of appropriately amalgmated RSA's - where core purpose remains relevant.
  • Categories of membership made clearer.
  • Disputes now in the Constitution as required by law.
  • Criteria now in the Constitution as required by law.

Key Dates 2024 and 2025

These are the key dates surrounding the RNZRSA Constitution for your executive committees to plan time to set aside for consideration of this governing document for the RNZRSA. Please put the date of the Special General Meeting into your 2025 calendars.

  • The final RNZRSA Constitution will be circulated to the membership in the week of 16 December 2024.
  • An online Special General Meeting to vote on adoption of the RNZRSA Constitution will be held on Saturday 15 February 2025.
  • The Model Constitution for Associations will be ready by the end of February 2025.
  • Bylaws will be reviewed and drafted following confirmation of the Constitution post February 2025.

Contact Us

Even though the consultation period has ended, we are still available and able to answer questions and queries about the proposed RNZRSA Constitution and the draft Model Constitution for Associations. Please email review@rsa.org.nz

We remain committed to getting the RNZRSA Constitution adopted in early 2025 to allow time for Associations to get ready in plenty of time for re-registration using the Model Constitution for Associations.

To date it has been an engaging process and one where our Membership has given us a lot of valuable feedback on a document to help our organisation move forward and be sustainable and relevant for the future.

Draft Model Constitution for Associations

The Model Constitution for Associations will be ready by the end of February 2025 after confirmation of the new RNZRSA Constitution.

The current draft of the Model Constitution for Associations is at the bottom of this page.

We are committed to help get Associations ready with re-registration to occur by 5 April 2026, as required by the Incorporated Societies Act. We will be working on this in 2025.

The RNZRSA is paying the legal fees for the development of the Model Constitution for Associations, there are no legal costs passed on to Associations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Constitutional Working Group (CWG) do? 

The Constitutional Working Group represents the RNZRSA Board and Forum.

The CWG is regularly reviewing and analysing the feedback coming in around the draft RNZRSA Constitution and draft Model Constitution for RSA Associations, giving sound advice and support to help achieve adoption of these key documents in 2024 and beyond.

Its members are Peter Jackson (District President Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, East Coast), Tony Hill (District President Waikato, King Country, Bay of Plenty), Tom Cormack (District President Wellington. West Coast, Taranaki District), Jocelyn Faul (RNZRSA Board Member), Quentin Randall (RNZRSA Board Member) and supported by Erin Andersen (Communications Specialist).

The consultation process and sessions are a genuine effort on the part of the CWG to leverage the collective wisdom of the RSA movement to ensure the RNZRSA Constitution is fit for purpose, fair and consistent, and that it positions us, as an organisation, for a sustainable and positive future. One where veterans of military service and their whānau are at the centre of everything we do. 

What is the responsibility of the RNZRSA Board?

As outlined in the draft and current RNZRSA Constitution the Board has the same responsibilities and accountabilities as it has always had.  There is no change.  Section 5 and related clauses around Duties of an Officer will be made compliant with the new Incorporated Societies Act and its regulations. This is a requirement of the new Act. 

This is the same for all Incorporated Societies, including Affiliates who are Incorporated Societies.

The RNZRSA Board came into being in 2014 and was given the powers then by National Council to operate as a Board.  Since 2014 and until today the National President continues to Chair the Board selection committee. This is unchanged in the current draft constitution. 

What is happening around the Model Constitution for RSA Associations? 

The RNZRSA Constitution must be finalised before we can complete the final Model Constitution for RSA Associations.  This needs to be done in time for RSAs to re-register before 5 April 2026.

Noting RSAs hold their AGMs within six months of the end of financial year. There is no set date for RSAs financial year. It can be at any time during a 12- month period.

The RNZRSA is paying the legal fees for the development of the Model Constitution – there are no legal costs to RSAs in this process.

The Model Constitution for Associations will be ready by the end of February 2025 after confirmation of the RNZRSA Constitution.

Who are the legal advisors to the RNZRSA? 

Norris Ward McKinnon are legal advisors to the RNZRSA for both the RNZRSA and Model constitutions.

What about the Bylaws?

The bylaws are a separate document which is subservient to the constitution. The Bylaws will be completed in consultation with the Board and Forum once the RNZRSA Constitution is approved by National Council. The Board and the Forum are jointly responsible for their development.

Why are the Objects and Purposes remaining the same in the draft constitution?

The Objects and Purposes section is a body of work in its own right and will be looked at in 2025. 

While the current language of this section is somewhat old-fashioned, the principles remain the same and state that the core purpose of the RNZRSA is to support veterans and their whānau.

Can the mandatory clauses be changed?

Mandatory clauses are those that are legally required to meet the requirements of the Incorporated Societies Act.  Any matters raised about mandatory clauses of the constitution are going to be difficult to change because of the legal requirements that surround them.

We have tried to put them into plain language as much as possible in the draft constitution.

Constitution Consultation Documents

National Council Presentation - Constitution Update 17 Oct 24

875 KB | PDF

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Constitution and Consultation Brief to Presidents Forum - 25 June 2024

474 KB | PDF

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The Constitution: Background Information

1015 KB | PDF

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Constitution Changes Document

449 KB | PDF

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Constitution Feedback Form Template

22 KB | DOCX

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Full Draft RNZRSA Constitution (July 2024).

469 KB | PDF

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Draft Model Constitution for RSA Associations July 2024.

531 KB | PDF

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Constitution Consultation Presentation (July 2024).

406 KB | PDF

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Constitution Consultation Presentation (August 2024)

407 KB | PDF

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2014 Independent Task Force Report

304 KB | PDF

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