In a positive and collaborative meeting with the Association on 29 September, the responsible Minister (the Hon. Dr.
David Clark) agreed that the regulations of the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 will need to accommodate the needs of
New Zealand’s community sport organisations, which are largely operated by volunteers.
Following discussion, the Minister also agreed that the Association’s regulatory proposals (subject to review by
Ministry officials) appears to offer a commonsense approach in ensuring that the spirit of the new Act is upheld, while
also providing a means by which community volunteers will not be dissuaded from taking on responsibilities which are now
specified by the new Act.
Association Chairman, Gordon Noble-Campbell said, “the Minister is fully aware of the challenges that complying with the
new Act creates for many community sport organisations. The Association is pleased that there is an intent to ensure
that the transition to the new legislative framework does not compromise the integrity of our community clubs, resulting
in an unintended wave of involuntary (or voluntary) dissolutions as a result of new compliance obligations under the
Act”.
The Association looks forward to working with the Minister’s officials, in creating a regulatory framework which
alleviates many of the concerns of volunteers who provide invaluable service to New Zealand communities, through the
delivery of organised amateur sport.