PROPOSED CONSTITUTION CHANGES
Thursday afternoon HRNZ circulated to clubs and kindred bodies two totally independent Remit papers for constitutional reform:
- HRNZ prepared model based upon consultation since the 2022 AGM – on legal advice the Board is circulating a proposal; and
- Harness Racing Governance Working Group and NZ Standardbred Breeders Assn alternative governance model. See here for the detail Explanatory Note and the detailed Remit of the changes being proposed. Proposed HRNZ Constitution Changes Final 14Sep23 9a
The HRGWG & NZSBA proposal for new constitutional arrangements centres on establishing regional forums and a national forum to enhance communications, consultation and coordination within the sport, particularly with the Board, and a new process for electing its board. With the HRGWG we are proposing that all seven board members are elected at the AGM for their skills and competencies, a majority with a connection to the sport. A rigorous nomination and selection process will be introduced if this is adopted.
The joint press release can be read here.
The HRGWG has consulted widely over the last three months.
Further consultation opportunities with the clubs and kindred bodies will be arranged.
We believe we have jointly landed at a position that will deliver two key outcomes:
- Far greater communication throughout the code, noting it will be up to the individual or club if the seek to engage.
- A radical change at Board level which may be a hard swallow for some but is absolutely the right outcome for the code.
These proposals will be up for consideration at the HRNZ annual meeting on 14 October in Christchurch.