Constitution and Rules of New Zealand People s Party Incorporated. 2 August August 2017 Page 1 of 8

Transcription

1 Constitution and Rules of New Zealand People s Party Incorporated 2 August 2017 August 2017 Page 1 of 8

2 Contents 1 Name Vision Objectives Membership Regional Groups Annual General Meetings Management Board Selection of Candidates Caucus Finance Dissolution... 8 August 2017 Page 2 of 8

3 1 Name The name of the party shall be New Zealand People s Party 2 Vision To develop an environment of equality, pride and dignity in New Zealand. The party will be open and transparent in its working. Look to be the voice of multicultural New Zealand by engaging and empowering various local communities and community leaders in the decision making process of the government. 3 Objectives 3.1 The objectives of the New Zealand People s Party are to: Develop a safe and secure environment for every New Zealander by: Bringing tougher laws against crimes such as drug offending, domestic violence, exploitation of students, burglary, robbery, assault, manslaughter, elder abuse and extortion Continually review the legal/corrections system to ensure strong deterrent punishment and rehabilitation for criminals and victims have full government support for rehabilitation, compensation and ongoing family support Grow a stronger, more prosperous economy through better policies that support innovation and reduce unemployment Create immigration rules and policies to allow international students, migrants and refugees to settle sooner into a comfortable life in their chosen home of Aotearoa New Zealand with their family Ensure the New Zealand education system and laws provide everyone with an equal opportunity to gain an education The New Zealand curriculum should be designed to provide students with the relevant knowledge and life skills to lead a better life and make the right choices for their career Full support to be given to schools, universities and their staff to ensure each and every student is motivated to lead and well placed to contribute to the growing New Zealand economy Provide better and more engaging health facilities for young and old that cater to the needs of all New Zealanders. August 2017 Page 3 of 8

4 4 Membership 4.1 Party membership will be open to any person who at the time of their membership request is not a member of any other political party in New Zealand Application for membership will need to be a given in writing to the Management Board of New Zealand People s Party Aspiring members must fully disclose any information or potential conflicts of interest they may have to the Management Board when applying to become a party member and any other time during their membership A membership/subscription fee of $5.00 per year shall need to be paid each year in advance by members if they wish to begin or renew their membership. The amount and interval/due date of the subscription fee may be changed by the Management Board at any time without prior notice. Payment of the membership fee is to be made within 30 days of its due date. 4.2 When applying to become a member of the party, the applicant agrees to abide by the party rules and policies. 4.3 The Management Board of the New Zealand People s Party shall have complete discretion to approve or refuse membership of the party to any person or organisation and it is under no obligation to provide reason for doing so. 4.4 Membership to the New Zealand People s Party shall cease: When a written resignation is sent to the Management Board by the member; When the member ceases to accept or abide by the rules and/or policies of the New Zealand People s Party; When the person dies; When the person has not paid their annual membership or subscription fee 30 days past its due date. 4.5 While party fees are not overdue by members, membership of the party shall allow members to vote on matters relating to the party as and when required. 4.6 The Management Board may cancel or suspend the membership of anyone who they believe to have brought the Party or its philosophy into disrepute through their words, actions or any other form of misconduct. The Management Board or the party shall be under no obligation to provide any reason for such cancellation or suspension. 5 Regional Groups 5.1 The Management Board may establish and manage Regional Groups to represent the party in their respective regions. Changes to these Regional Groups or members associated with them may be changed by the Management Board as and when they choose to do so. 5.2 Regional Groups will need to keep the National Office and the Management Board informed about their dealings and decisions at all times. Regional Groups are not August 2017 Page 4 of 8

5 authorised to maintain a bank account separately on behalf of the New Zealand People s Party. 5.3 Before entering into any legally binding contract or taking action on behalf of the New Zealand People s Party, the Regional Group must get written approval from the Management Board. 5.4 Regional Groups will be required to work under the agreed rules and policies as stated in this Constitution and will not enter into separate agreements within their regions. 5.5 The structure of each Regional Group, it s members, and the position of each of the members within the Regional Group will be finalised by the Management Board in consultation with the affected members. 6 Annual General Meetings 6.1 The Annual General Meeting shall be held once each year at a place and time decided by the Management Board Up to 5 delegates per electorate will be entitled to attend the Annual General Meeting. These delegates shall be nominated by their respective Regional Group Members will be notified of the details of the meeting in writing not less than a calendar month prior to the meeting being held The agenda for the meeting will be decided by the Management Board. 6.2 The Annual General Meeting will be used as a forum to: Vote for and elect members for the vacant posts within the party; To update members on the financial accounts of the party; Discuss with or inform members about any other matter relevant to the party. 6.3 The Management Board amongst themselves will agree to meet from time to time in a matter preferred by them to discuss matters surrounding the party and for decision making. 6.4 The Management Board is responsible for updating all members in writing about any matter they consider relevant to them. 6.5 The Management Board can also call for a seperate ad hoc or urgent meeting of all entitled members of the party if a position becomes vacant. 6.6 A member of the party or the Management Board not intending to attend a meeting may not nominate any other person or organisation to act as proxy and/or vote on their behalf. 6.7 Minutes of the meeting shall be prepared for all meetings to keep a record of all key decisions made. August 2017 Page 5 of 8

6 7 Management Board 7.1 The Management Board of the New Zealand People s Party shall be the ruling body that shall have final say and utmost authority on all matters relating to the party. For a decision by the Management Board to be enforceable and valid it must have a minimum of 70% votes in favour by it s members unless otherwise specified in this constitution for the matter being decided upon. 7.2 The Management Board shall consist of a minimum 15 and maximum 40 members that include: 1. President 2. Vice President x 5 3. General Secretary 4. Joint Secretary x 5 5. Treasurer 6. Assistant Treasurer 7.3 Replacement of Management Board members: A member of the Management Board may be removed from that position on a permanent or temporary basis by a minimum of 70% of the Management Board A vacant position in the Management Board may be filled by postal ballot or in a meeting of all entitled members. The Management Board may also fill a position in the Management Board by selecting the next highest polling candidate in the previous election. 7.4 The President of the Management Board shall chair all meetings unless they are unwilling or unable to do so. In such a circumstance, the Management Board may appoint another member to chair that meeting. 7.5 Members of the Management Board will be bound by the same rules and policies as any other member of the party and must abide by this constitution which overrides any other constitution approved by the Management Board prior to this. 7.6 The Management Board has the power and authority to make any change to the constitution as long as it is done in agreement with an 80% vote in support of changes by its committee members. 7.7 The Management Board has the responsibility of making, developing and amending party policies. They may choose to do is in isolation or in consultation with all other members of the party. 8 Selection of Candidates 8.1 The selection process and appointment of members as Electoral Candidates for public office, including the ordering of the party list shall be determined by the Management Board in consultation with Regional Groups If a Regional Group has more than 150 paid up members, they will need to nominate an Electoral Candidate from within their group and make their recommendation to the Management Board. The Management Board will August 2017 Page 6 of 8

7 have the power to accept or decline the recommendation of the Regional Groups Should a Regional Group have less than 150 paid up members, it shall be the responsibility of the Management Board to nominate Electoral Candidates from within each Electoral Group. 8.2 Party candidates that have been approved to stand for any public office will be required to sign a contract between themselves and the Management Board and agree to abide by the party s rules and approved policies. 9 Caucus 9.1 The Caucus role is to manage and strategise in parliament. The Caucus will also be responsible to promote New Zealand People s Party in the Parliament and in Media and also to make an effort to implement the party s policies. 9.2 The Caucus shall consist of all Members of Parliament who represent the Party, President of the party or a Vice President in their absence and General Secretary or a Joint Secretary in their absence. 9.3 If the Caucus is unable to appoint a Party Leader or Deputy Leader, the Management Board will appoint members in these positions for them. The Caucus will be required to inform the Management Board about all meetings. Minutes of all meetings will need to be prepared by the Caucus and submitted to the Management Board before any of the decisions arising from it are actioned. 9.4 Members of the Management Board shall be entitled to attend meetings of the Caucus. 9.5 The Caucus shall make decisions for its conduct in the Parliament in accordance to the party s goals and objectives. 10 Finance 10.1 The Treasurer shall manage finances and accounts of the party at the direction of the Management Board. The party shall be transparent and honest in all its financial dealings Expenditure budget and commitments will be approved by the Management Board The Management Board shall authorise one or more of its members to authorise the production of cheques and also make purchases of goods and services The party s financial performance shall be reported as and when agreed by the Management Board by the Treasurer in a meeting or as a written report (including via ) A Treasurer s report must be kept up to date and prepared for presentation at the Annual General Meeting The financial year of the New Zealand People s Party commences on the 1st of April and ends on the 31st of March. August 2017 Page 7 of 8

8 11 Dissolution 11.1 The party itself maybe wound up by the Management Board if they believe it to be the right decision. This however will need to be done with 80% vote in support from all its members In such a circumstance the Management Board must inform all its members of the date of dissolution in their proposal and also the method of disposing of the assets and property of the party after its dissolution. Members must be notified at least 30 days before the confirmed date of dissolution The party shall abide by any relevant statues or acts when going through the dissolution process If the party is wound up, the surplus assets after payment of all debts, costs and liabilities shall be disposed of by transfer to another organisation with objectives similar to the objectives of the New Zealand People s Party Such an organisation shall be determined by simple majority of the members of the party present and voting at the Special General Meeting held at or before the dissolution In default there of as determined by the High Court of New Zealand No payment or distribution shall be made to any member. August 2017 Page 8 of 8