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Constitution 2026 Proposals

19^th January 2026

Dear GHYC members

I hope you have enjoyed some great boating and a very pleasant festive season and are feeling wonderfully refreshed going into the New Year. The Club has a great programme for 2026 and is also working to develop our events and hospitality operations.

At our 2025 AGM in August, the Commodore's report mentioned that all clubs across NZ were required to update their Constitutions (Rules) and we were working on this refresh.

The requirements for reregistering our club under the 2022 Act are described here and must be completed by 5^th April 2026. This will involve holding an Extraordinary General Meeting to:

adopt a Constitution that is compliant with the 2022 Act (replacing the current Rules under the 1908 Act), and
pass a motion to reregister under the 2022 Act.

We have developed two variations for the new Constitution which comply with the 2022 Act. These share common base provisions and update our management structure for current needs, the main differences being:

Option 1: Much like our current Constitution this has everything in one document, including all Rules, management structure and operational matters.

Option 2: This version was developed using the Club's existing Constitution and contains only the essential Rules required for governance practices. Day to day operational matters are placed in a set of Bylaws designed to work alongside the Constitution.

As a first step, we are now presenting these options to members for their review and feedback, with an Information Evening scheduled on Tuesday 3^rd February at 7:30 pm to discuss the options. Please feel free to feed back any topics for discussion at the Information Evening by reply email to admin@ghyc.co.nz.

The next step of an Extraordinary General Meeting is scheduled on Thursday 5^th March at 7.30pm. This is when we shall vote on either Option 1 or Option 2 to be put forward for reregistering.

I appreciate this seems an administrative activity, but it is democracy in action which it is essential for our Club's continued existence and will strengthen our organisation going into the future.

Thank you for your participation in this important process.

Mike Pignéguy

Commodore, Gulf Harbour Yacht Club