InternetNZ'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.

As part of our efforts, the co-design group created the following proposals based on insights gathered from our members, the community, and other stakeholders. We then shared these proposals with our members to collect their feedback. Please find the proposals and the feedback below.

Co-design group proposals:

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

Feedback on the proposals:

• Constitutional Objects Feedback (DOC)
• Membership Options Feedback (DOC)
• Governance Options Feedback (DOC)

The Drafting Guidelines for the InternetNZ | Ipurangi Aotearoa Constitution are now ready for your feedback. Submissions can be made anytime until 10 February 2025. Your input helps us shape and refine the Constitution.

Overview of the Drafting Guidelines

Our team developed the Drafting Guidelines with input from the co-design group, staff, Council members, and external experts. They reflect insights gathered from our members and the wider community and will guide us in writing the final constitution. While the guidelines don’t detail every clause or word, they aim to address all essential points and changes needed.

Review the Drafting Guidelines

• Drafting Guidelines (DOC)

How to have your say

The consultation period is open from Monday 16 December 2024 until 10 February 2025. You can provide feedback via:

• Google Form

• Submission template (DOC)

• Email us at insights@internetnz.net.nz 

Publishing submissions

We run an open policy-making process and actively publish all submissions to encourage open conversation. We will publish the names of the submitters but not their contact details.

If you want to include confidential information in your submission, contact insights@internetnz.net.nz to discuss potential arrangements for handling the information.

We aim to publish submissions in this section promptly after we receive them.

Submissions received 

Read the submissions: Drafting Guidelines Submissions received as at 10 January 2025 (PDF).

Member meet-ups

Connect with fellow members on the Drafting Guidelines during these member meetups attended by staff and Councillors at InternetNZ.

• 21 January 2025, 5:30-7 PM, Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021 – Register now 

• 28 January 2025, 5:30-7 PM, InternetNZ, Level 13/18 Willis Street, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011 – Register now 

• 30 January 2025, 5:30-7 PM, TBC, Christchurch – Register now

Open online info sessions

Participate in online sessions open to everyone to learn about the proposed updates in the Drafting Guidelines:

- 16 January: 5-6 PM, Zoom – Register now

- 31 January: 12-1 PM, Zoom – Register now

- 3 February: 6-7 PM, Zoom – Register now

Your feedback is crucial for creating a constitution that aligns with our vision for an Internet that benefits all.

The Drafting Guidelines are currently open for consultation. This guide will assist our team in writing the final constitution. Once the constitution is completed according to the Drafting Guidelines, it will be reviewed by the Council with the goal of being ratified at a Special General Meeting.