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A new Constitution and the establishment of Local Organising Groups
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO made significant changes to enshrine its commitment to Te Tiriti O Waitangi and to make its structure more democratic in the 2025/26 financial year.
This followed members voting to adopt a new NZNO Constitution in June 2025. The Constitution re-registration process under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 was completed in July.
The new Constitution ushered in a new official name for the union – Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa: The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Incorporated.
The changes ensure NZNO has the structures to be a genuinely bicultural organisation. They also established important changes to how we work locally and at a national sector level through the creation of Local Organising Groups (LOGs) in early 2026. They embody the Maranga Mai! vision that “every nurse, everywhere” can come together and rise up.
FAQs
What does the establishment of LOGs mean?
- Regional Councils have been disestablished.
- National delegate committees are being set up to reflect each of the sectors of NZNO.
What are LOGs?
- A LOG consists of members living or working in a defined geographical area (set by the Joint Hui).
- Members can choose which LOG to join if they live and work in different areas but can only belong to one LOG.
- NZNO will notify members of current LOGs and any boundary changes.
- Joint Hui must consult members before defining locality boundaries.
What is the role of LOGs?
- Support NZNO’s objectives and strategic plans.
- Inform and consult members on important matters.
- Enable members to meet and organise around shared interests.
- Develop local leadership.
- Implement NZNO campaigns and strategies.
- Work in partnership with Ngā Hapū (including at least one joint annual meeting).
- Support professional activities and regional conferences.
- Create by-laws for LOG operations (approved by Joint Hui).
- Report regularly to National Executive and Joint Hui.
- Carry out any additional responsibilities assigned by National Executive.
Who is on a LOG?
- LOGs are managed by a Local Organising Committee with:
- An elected chairperson.
- Representatives from worksites, sections, colleges, student units and Te Rūnanga.
What are the representation rules?
- Worksites: One rep per 50 members (or part thereof).
- Sections/colleges: Reps per their own rules.
- Student units: Two reps (including one Māori rep).
- Te Rūnanga: Representation decided by local hapū.
- Committee members elected every three years; chair maintains current list.
How do LOGs meet?
- Committee meets at least every two months.
- Quorum: More than 10% of committee members.
- Any local member may attend and speak, but only committee members vote.
- Decisions by majority vote.
How are the LOG chairperson and vice chairperson elected?
- Chairperson elected every three years by committee members (ballot if multiple candidates).
- Term: Three years, renewable for another three years, then a three-year break before re-standing.
- Vice-chair(s): One to two elected at first meeting after triennial elections; same term rules.
- Committee also elects a disputes officer.