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.

This feedback will inform the final draft of the RNZRSA Constitution.

Feedback Analysis

The Constitution Working Group has continuously and iteratively fed the common themes and amendments from the constitution feedback to our legal advisors Norris Ward McKinnon during the consultation period.

There are some commonly requested changes which the Constitution Working Group is considering, and many will end up in the final RNZRSA Constitution.

The mandatory or legally required components of the constitution, which are there to meet the requirements of the Incorporated Societies Act, are not able to be changed, but we have asked the lawyers to put them in to plain language as much as possible.

Here are a few examples of the indicative changes and improvements to expect in the final document:

• Core purpose, supporting veterans and their whānau, reinforced.
• The Constitution lines up legally with the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.
• The Forum to be consulted on the development of the Bylaws.
• The Board role refocused on governance and the Forum role on RSA representation.
• The voting process adjusted to allow for electronic, in-person and postal voting.
• Voting at AGMs to be on a first-past-the-post basis.
• Affiliate representative to be selected and then elected by the Affliates group.
• The document written in plain language to make it easier to understand, and clearer sections.
• A new definitions section inserted to help make the content of the Constitution more understandable and avoid confusion of terms.
• The Board's responsibilities reviewed to ensure they comply with the legal responsibility of a Board, and do not exceed that.
  
  

RNZRSA Constitution Progress - September and October

Now that consultation has finished, the next phase of the Constitution review is underway. This phase includes final analysis, final revisions by the lawyers, and on-going review by the Constitution Working Group (CWG).

The Forum and the RNZRSA Board will be briefed on the near final document at the end of September. From there final changes will be made and you can expect to see the proposed RNZRSA Constitution around the end of October.

We remain committed to getting the RNZRSA Constitution adopted in 2024 to allow time for RSA's to get ready in plenty of time for re-registration using the Model Constitution for Associations.

While the July and August consultation period has ended, members of the Constitution Working Group 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 with your questions and queries.

From September onwards the Constitution Working Group will be looking to roll out online workshop sessions for the draft Model Constitution for Associations.

These sessions are to help Associations with re-registration to occur by 5 April 2026, as required by the Incorporated Societies Act.

The National Council, being held in Wellington on 16 and 17 October, will now largely focus on discussion the Draft Model Constitution for Associations.

We have secured lawyers to give legal information on the second day (Thursday 17 October), where you can get guidance, assistance and have discussions around technical elements of the Draft Model Constitution for Associations, re-registration, director responsibilities, contracts, employment matters etc.

This will be a facilitated session, and we want to hear from you about what questions and topics you want covered.

Have a talk with your executive committee and sent these questions and topics to review@rsa.org.nz. Simply head up the email with Legal Session National Council in the subject line.

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

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