Internet NZ's 2024 constitution review

The drivers

Two key priorities drive this constitutional review:

• Upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Ensuring our constitution is centred on Te Tiriti o Waitangi as recommended by the Independent Review of Systemic Racism in 2022.
• Meeting new legal requirements: Aligning with the new legal requirements of the Incorporated Societies Act 2023.

The focus

To support our mission of creating an internet that benefits all, the review will focus on:

• Renewing the constitutional objects: Modernising our core purpose to reflect who we are as InternetNZ today and our goals for the future.
• Strengthening governance: Building a governance structure that meets the needs of our organisation and the communities we serve.
• Refining membership structure: Designing a membership structure that supports engagement and growth now and in the years ahead.
• Bringing clarity to the technical: Ensuring our constitution is clear and simple and supports achieving our goals as a Society. 

Timeline

Co-design process

As part of the constitutional review process, in March 2024, we invited 14 people with a range of expertise in technology, governance, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and community to help co-design the revised constitutional proposals. 

It was essential for the co-design process to include Māori as Tangata Whenua of Aotearoa. This commitment enabled us to work toward embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the proposals for our revised constitution. It was also important to include InternetNZ members in the process, and in early 2024, we asked for expressions of interest from members to join the group. 

The co-design group met for three full-day hui, a two-day hui and several online discussions between April and September. Their mahi focussed on the objects, governance and membership aspects of the constitution. The co-design sessions were facilitated by Aatea Solutions. 

The members of the co-design group are: 

• Aleisha Amohia, InternetNZ member, a technical lead with experience in governance, advocacy, and membership organisations.

• Potaua Biasiny-Tule, InternetNZ Councillor and Fellow, tech founder with expertise in Māori outcomes.

• Jonathan Brewer, InternetNZ member, network and radio engineer focused on affordable connectivity and active in regional Internet Governance forums.

• Katie Brown, Te Hapori Matihiko representative (InternetNZ partner), digital channels expert and tech founder with expertise in te ao Māori and digital equity membership organisations.

• Chris Cormack brings tech sector, open-source software and Māori Data Sovereignty expertise.

• Dianne Daniels, InternetNZ Fellow, brings expertise and experience in community empowerment governance, digital equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi education.

• Sarah Lee, InternetNZ member, brings equity expertise and is working towards sustainable futures and just transitions.

• Dave Moskovitz, founding member of InternetNZ and former InternetNZ Councillor, tech and governance expert with experience supporting startups and innovators.

• Anna Pendergrast, InternetNZ member, writer and strategist focusing on digital technology, infrastructure and the environment. 

• Rosalie Reiri, InternetNZ member, Māori medium educator bringing expertise in digital equity.

• Ian Simpson, InternetNZ member, a tech expert with experience managing .nz domains and community governance. 

• Dr Karaitiana Taiuru, InternetNZ Fellow, brings expertise in Māori Data Sovereignty, internet governance and emerging technologies. 

• Justine Tupara, Māori Women’s Welfare League representative, a change management practitioner bringing expertise in data governance and Māori governance. 

• Dr Warren Williams (Tūhoe, Waikato), Katoa Connect Trust (formerly 20/20 Trust), has a background in ICT and tertiary education and expertise in governance and digital equity.

InternetNZ is working towards modernising the constitution to ensure that it reflects the values, goals, and needs of the communities we serve. As part of this mahi (work), the co-design group have developed the following proposals based on insights from our members, the community and other stakeholders. Feedback on these proposals will help shape the final constitution:

• Constitutional Objects (PDF)
• Membership Options (PDF)
• Governance Options (PDF)

As an Incorporated Society, we recognise our community's vital role in shaping our organisation. Our members, in particular, bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can significantly influence internet development and effective policy positioning. That's why we're committed to providing a range of opportunities for everyone, members and stakeholders alike, to share their feedback on the proposed constitution.

Survey

Complete our survey on the proposed objects, membership and governance aspects of the constitution.

Keep an eye on this page for more opportunities to get involved in reshaping our constitution.

We’re currently testing proposed constitutional arrangements and developing drafting instructions to guide the ratification process. Feedback from staff, members and other stakeholders is essential to ensure our final constitution reflects our shared goals and values.

Drafting Guidance

We have engaged widely on the Constitution over many months.  Importantly, we have run several co-design sessions that have provided us with clear intent and direction for the revised Constitution.  Further, we have insights from engagements and have gathered advice from subject matter experts on areas such as incorporated societies and governance.

We are using a process of drafting guidance for two purposes:

1. to engage members and others in more depth on the core elements and options considered in revising the Constitution (i.e., governance, membership, tikanga/Te Tiriti), and 

2. to guide the writers of the Constitution with some clear instructions and more detail on what to include or exclude in the revised Constitution. 

The process of drafting guidance will be followed by: 

• Analysis of all insights, advice, and legislation. The writing group assembles proposed Drafting Guidance
• Legal Review and Codesign Consultation
• Council Review and consultation, endorsement of approach
• Member and Community Consultation
• Analysis of insights and advice from Members and community. Update Drafting Guidance accordingly
• Writing group drafts Constitution based on the Final Drafting Guidance.

Formats you can expect

The drafting guidelines will be presented in two formats during the consultation period. 

1. The proposed drafting guidelines. These will guide the writing group when drafting the constitution.
2. The proposed drafting guidelines with explanation. This will be an extended version of the proposed drafting guidelines and include some background (e.g., whether it is a new clause or if it is from the current constitution and/or updated) and the rationale behind the relevant clause/section (e.g., why particular wording has been suggested).