Auckland: The India New Zealand Business Council has had the first serious update of its constitution since inception in 1988. Rapid member growth over the past 12-18 months has lead to changes of approach in strategy, governance, and other aspects of its operation. A Special General Meeting was held recently in Auckland at the Headquarters of ANZ Bank.
Chair, Wenceslaus Anthony presided over the meeting with Wellington-based Treasurer and ex-Chair Paddy Marra and Honorary Solicitor, Warwick Wright of Rainey Collins Wright.
A quorum of members attended from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
The new constitution was unanimously passed and plans announced for an Annual General Meeting by June 2011 - the first to be held under the new rules.
A key change has been to enable electronic voting so that absent members may still participate in the democratic activity of the organisation.
Mr Anthony also announced that long-standing Executive Director, Fergus McLean was to retire by end of May this year and that subsequently the Council was now exploring avenues to grow the organisation’s capital base in order to fund the employment of a CEO and Executive Assistant.
He praised Mr McLean for his long and dedicated stewardship of and service to the organisation over many years and thanked him effusively for all his deeds on behalf of members.
The Chairman thanked ANZ Bank for their continued support to the council in hosting various events in the past year.
“ANZ has been supporting the business council since its inception and we see ANZ as a key connector between the two countries. ANZ has also been supporting the Indian community at large at various events including Diwali, Holi and hosting Indian Minister Vayalar Ravi,” he said.
He acknowledged Prashanta Mukherjee, Don Rae and Paddy Marra for their work in producing and securing the constitutional changes and particularly thanked INZBC Patron Sir Richard Hadlee for his generosity of spirit and time in associating his world-wide mana and reputation with the Council.
“The organisation has doubled in size over the past year or so and with an active chapter structure now in place, it is expected that membership will continue to grow as a result of the increased level of activity. Having better online communication tools such as our new website at www.inzbc.org and a newsletter distribution system are enabling us to support more members better. The organisation has reached a new stage in its development. ”
He then said that people with relevant experience, business standing and integrity such as Fergus McLean would be invited to be part of an Advisory Board, which might be convened in order to provide an independent source of advice.
He went on to say that the Council is not for power seekers or for politics to creep in and this is to a great extent reflected in the new constitution as were its values of inclusion, transparency and integrity.
He also said that the Council is unique in the sense that its members and office bearers have come in a genuine spirit of service to accelerate the growth and development of business and trade between India and New Zealand.
He thanked the Indian High Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NZTE for their support and strongly affirmed the relationship established with the Council and the 2 Governments.
In a surprise move, it was added that it was hoped that a joint event held by ANZ Bank, the Council and its Indian ally FICCI might take place in Mumbai at the time of the Cricket World Cup in March in Mumbai. More news is expected soon on that front soon.