InternetNZ’s proposed constitution released
Media release
InternetNZ, a registered not-for-profit which manages nearly 750,000 domain names ending in .nz, today sent its proposed constitution to its members.
Developing a revised constitution is a legal requirement of the Incorporated Societies Act 2022, and InternetNZ used this opportunity to ensure our governance structure better reflects and serves all communities who use the internet in New Zealand.
InternetNZ president Stephen Judd says a lot has changed since the organisation wrote its current constitution 30 years ago.
Judd says the constitutional review has been driven by members, with an extensive co-design process and multiple opportunities for feedback.
"Thirty years ago nobody knew what the internet would become. Times have changed, and our constitution needs to reflect that," says Judd. "As an organisation we need to be inclusive of everyone who uses the internet."
"This has been an iterative process, and we've continually responded to member feedback and submissions. We’ve listened closely to our membership and the proposed constitution reflects what we’ve heard.”
The proposed changes include:
- Either a 9-member Board with 5-6 elected and 2-3 appointed members, or an 11-member Board with 7-8 elected and 2-3 appointed members.
- A target of three Māori members overall, with either a Co-Chairs model with at least one chair being Māori, or a Chairperson/Deputy model with variations on whether the Chairperson is elected by members or if the Deputy is Board-appointed.
- Having at least two Board members with Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Māori governance experience.
InternetNZ will gather member input on constitutional options over the next five days, ahead of the official voting process that will take place at a Special General Meeting later this month. The ‘early 2025’ timing of the Special General Meeting was announced to members and shared on the InternetNZ website in late 2024.
As has been the case since August 2010, members will need to have been a member of InternetNZ for at least three months to be eligible to vote.
Judd says that following inaccurate claims from Hobsons Pledge and the Free Speech Union, InternetNZ's membership has skyrocketed from under 400 at the start of February to over 2,000.
"While we welcome new members, many seem to be joining based on misleading information. InternetNZ will not be changing how domain names are managed or give InternetNZ additional powers through this process.
“It's disappointing some lobby groups have spoken out against possible changes before receiving the proposed constitution. I hope eligible members will take time to read the materials they’re sent so they can make an informed decision on the options being presented."
Judd emphasised that InternetNZ is committed to representing the diverse perspectives of all New Zealanders who use the internet.
"We're a membership-led organisation that welcomes people from all backgrounds and perspectives. We encourage all those who care about New Zealand's digital future to consider joining. Membership costs just $21 and gives New Zealanders the right to vote on important decisions about how our critical digital infrastructure is governed, including who our governors are."
InternetNZ is responsible for managing nearly 750,000 domain names ending in .nz, supporting approximately $150 million in daily economic activity. Revenue raised from this work is invested back into community initiatives, with $1.2 million distributed to community organisations in the 2023-24 financial year.
The Society committed to being a Te Tiriti o Waitangi centric organisation in 2018.
The proposed constitution can be read on the InternetNZ website.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Amomai Pihama
Communications Manager
Phone: +64 27 366 8013
Email: amomai@internetnz.net.nz
Donovan Ryan
Phone: +64 27 344 4011
Email: donovan@greatscott.co.nz
About InternetNZ:
InternetNZ is an incorporated society and registered charity responsible for managing New Zealand's .nz domain. We're dedicated to an open, secure, and accessible internet for all New Zealanders.
The Incorporated Societies Act 2022 requires incorporated societies to develop a constitution by April 2026 to continue operating as an incorporated society.