IChemE in New Zealand invite you to a Special General Meeting where members will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed changes to the operating model overseeing IChemE's operations in New Zealand.

Background and the reason for change

With the introduction of the Incorporated Societies Act 2022, all Incorporated Societies in New Zealand must re-register by April 2026 in order to continue operating. Ahead of this, the New Zealand Board have reviewed and taken legal advice on options for moving ahead. The New Zealand Board has consulted with IChemE’s Governance Committee and Board of Trustees on these options.

Following further legal and governance review, including advice from New Zealand and UK legal and tax advisors, IChemE’s Board of Trustees and the New Zealand Board are agreed that, in order to ensure continuity and improvement of services to New Zealand members and to align New Zealand operations with those elsewhere in the organisation, the Incorporated Society model is no longer the most appropriate structure for IChemE’s activities in New Zealand.

Instead, it is proposed that IChemE activities and member support in New Zealand should be provided through a dedicated branch of the UK-registered charity. This is the option which will best enable IChemE members in New Zealand to continue to access all the benefits and services of IChemE globally alongside dedicated New Zealand based member support. The New Zealand Board and Board of Trustees remain committed to offering members, prospective members, companies and academia in New Zealand the best possible support, and they are agreed that this is the best way to achieve that aim.

In accordance with the constitution, a formal vote on the dissolution of the Institution of Chemical Engineers in New Zealand Incorporated is required at a Special General Meeting of its members.

Purpose of the Special General Meeting

In addition to voting on the closure of the Incorporated Society, the constitution requires that any remaining funds of the Society be distributed to a not-for-profit body with an interest in promoting chemical engineering in New Zealand.

The Society proposes that IChemE be the recipient of these surplus funds, which will be ringfenced exclusively for New Zealand-based activities. The New Zealand Board will guide the use of these funds, which will be reserved for non-operational purposes such as member engagement, events, and strategic initiatives.

In order for the two resolutions to be passed, a 75% or greater majority of those present and entitled to vote at the Special General Meeting is required.

To ensure the required information is available at the meeting, please submit any questions in advance to Natalie Angelone, Head of Regional Operations, Australasia at nangelone@icheme.org by Wednesday 19 November.

If the resolutions are not approved the New Zealand Board will need to reconsider the available options and will invite members to a second Special General Meeting to resolve the New Zealand operating model.

We assure you that IChemE remains wholly committed to serving our New Zealand members and prospective members. We look forward to working even more closely with you to support you, welcome new members and ensure our collective voice is heard.

Time

16:00–17:00 NZDT. 

Please register your attendance below.